Exports to the United Kingdom continue its course, without the need for phytosanitary certificates, postponed until January 1, 2022

Exports to the United Kingdom continue its course, without the need for phytosanitary certificates, postponed until January 1, 2022

After the UK withdrew from the EU on April 1, it was expected that most fresh fruits and vegetables would be exported from the EU to provide phytosanitary certification, one of the documentation requirements for sale in that country. However, the British government announced on March 11 that this new demand would be delayed until January 1, 2022.

Positively rated by the industry at Fefex, the delay in issuing the Phytosanitary Certificate until January 1, 2022 will help reduce the administrative burden and maintain the liquidity of fruit and vegetable exports to the UK, the third-largest market for exports. Department Spanish.

On the other hand, the British government announced a delay in the implementation of the phases initially established to control imports to a greater extent such as border controls.

After the United Kingdom left the European Union, the European Commission and the United Kingdom reached an agreement governing trade relations between the two parties from January 1, 2021, which was favorably assessed by the sector compiled in Fex, as it prevented exports from being taxed with customs duties. However, there are more documentation obligations on the export of fruits and vegetables, mainly SAT presentation and certification of compliance.

The Customs Notification or Single Administrative Document (DUA) provides information about the product to be imported or exported and serves as the basis for the tax declaration. The DUA is an essential document that must go with goods in accordance with customs procedures on import and export operations outside the EU. Obtaining a DUA is subject to the issuance of a Certificate of Conformity, which verifies compliance with sales marketing standards as established in Enforcement Regulation (EU) No. 543/2011 and may be requested electronically.

Exports of Spanish fruits and vegetables to the United Kingdom were estimated at 153,863 tonnes worth 21 211 million in 2021 and January, according to data from Fefex. By 2020, although the UK is no longer a member of the European Union, an interim period has been agreed in which export conditions remain unchanged at 1.5 million tonnes and 90,903 million tonnes.