HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has alerted traders to its plans for the future provision of customs infrastructure at locations currently served by the Sevington and Holyhead Inland Border Facilities (IBFs).
This notes that the Government's long-standing intention has been to transition to the model used elsewhere across the UK border, where border locations provide the infrastructure needed to support customs and border processes.
With regard to Holyhead, the plan remains that customs checks will transition from the current IBF arrangements to infrastructure provided by the port operator within Holyhead Port from early 2027.
Customs checks undertaken through Sevington IBF are expected to move to alternative locations provided by the Port of Dover and Getlink, the Eurotunnel operator, from early 2027, although the exact timing remains subject to final confirmation.
Customers should continue to use Sevington and Holyhead IBFs and follow existing customs processes exactly as they do today until further notice.
HMRC is asking businesses that may be affected by the proposals to participate in one-to-one discussions so that it can better understand the operational impacts of the planned changes. The relevant section can be contacted by emailing transitpolicymailbox@hmrc.gov.uk.
The Port of Dover and Getlink have confirmed they will provide traders with further information on their plans in the coming weeks. Sevington Border Control Post, where Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks are undertaken, is not affected by this change and will remain operational until further notice.
