The UK Government is to apply much less rigorous EU border checks on imports than it initially had planned, after the Brexit transition period finishes at the end of this year.
The UK had committed to introduce import controls on EU goods in January.
But ministers have now abandoned plans for full checks, with sources saying a "pragmatic and flexible approach" is needed due to coronavirus.
The UK has formally ruled out seeking an extension to the transition period.
The UK left the European Union at the end of January, but the transition period - during which existing trading rules and membership of the single market and customs union apply - lasts until the end of the year.
Opposition MPs have been pushing for it to be extended, with the Scottish and Welsh first ministers warning that exiting the current trading arrangements in just over six months time would be "extraordinarily reckless" given the economic damage and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus epidemic.
But Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said on Friday that he had "formally confirmed" to the EU that this would not be extended, adding that the "moment" for such a move had "now passed".
However, there will be an about turn, in the short term at least, on the checks carried out on imports.
In February, Mr Gove said import controls were "necessary" to keep UK borders "safe and secure" and to collect the appropriate taxes.
Now a "temporary light-touch regime" is planned at ports such as Dover, regardless of whether a deal is done with the EU or not.
The proposal, first reported by the Financial Times, applies only to rules on imports, which the UK will set. Checks on exports to the EU will be determined by Brussels.
Published by BBC News, 12/06/2020
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