Designed to improve safety, security and sanitary controls after Brexit, the first phase of the new Border Target Operating Model came into force in January. In April, the second phase began with the third and final part of the plan due to be implemented in October. The new rules mean that certain imports coming from the EU now require health certificates and physicals checks before being allowed into the UK.
As these new rules are complex and often confusing, it’s been the job of the team at Jordon Freight to guide our clients through the requirements to ensure their imports and paperwork meet all government rules and regulations. With our specialist knowhow and expertise, we’ve been able to minimise delays and ensure time-sensitive imports continue to cross the border with ease.
High Protein Snack Manufacturer
One such client is a London-based food company specialising in high protein savoury snacks that are packed with flavour and a fantastic alternative to potato based products. We’ve been working with this client since August 2022. The company manufactures the product in the Netherlands before bringing them into the UK, meaning they (like so many of the businesses we work with) found themselves having to navigate the complexities of post-Brexit import regulations.
In this case study, we’re taking a look at how our team was able to work closely with this snack manufacturer to develop a comprehensive strategy to keep their products moving, whilst ensuring our valued client felt fully confident that their imports met all current rules and regulations.
THE PROBLEM
The client’s products are price sensitive. In a market with exceptionally high levels of competition, timing is everything and their products need to hit the shelves at the perfect moment. Accurate forecasting and efficient supply chain management is essential to ensure their products remain competitively priced. Even the slightest delay in transportation can have far-reaching consequences, disrupting the carefully orchestrated flow of goods, impacting sales and leaving customers and retailers unhappy.
THE PLAN
Our client was unsure how the new rules regarding health checks and inspections would impact them. Our aim was to work with the company to fully understand which risk category would apply to their products and what (if any) additional costs would be incurred. We also aimed to assess the current routing of their products to determine if any optimisation would be necessary to help meet our objectives.
By leveraging our network of trusted partners in Europe and our deep understanding of the post-Brexit trade landscape, we looked to identify opportunities for improvement and recommend adjustments that would streamline the shipping process and reduce the likelihood of delays.
how we helped
The first step was to conduct a thorough analysis of the client’s products, assessing which risk category they would fall under according to the new rules. This process required a meticulous examination of the ingredients, manufacturing processes, and packaging to ensure that every aspect of the snacks was compliant with the updated regulations.
In addition to risk assessment, our team also focused on identifying potential cost implications associated with the new regulations. We understood that any additional expenses, such as inspection fees or tariffs, could have a significant impact on the price-sensitive products.
By working closely with the client’s team and leveraging our extensive knowledge of the new rules, we were able to determine that the snacks are actually categorised as ‘low risk’. Following this, we provided the client with a detailed report outlining the rationale behind our assessment, ensuring that they had a clear understanding of the factors that contributed to our conclusion.
THE RESULT
Because the snacks are deemed low risk, they aren’t subject to inspection on arrival in the UK and the import documentation process remains the same. We now ensure that the goods are routed into a port with an established Border Control Point and officers trained for this specific type of product. The port selected does not currently have additional charges for low risk goods.
Thanks to our team’s hard work and expertise, we were able to address the client’s concerns and put their minds at ease. Our proactive approach and transparent communication ensured that the company had a deep understanding of the whole process, as well as any potential cost and time implications.
Any new products that our client introduces in the future will need to undergo the same review in order to ensure they’re transported using the most suitable route possible, and they can be confident that our team will be ready to provide the same level of meticulous review and analysis that we applied to their initial challenges.
To find out more about our services, and learn how we can help you move your products quickly and efficiently, get in touch with a member of our team today!
"Jordon Freight didn’t just deliver our equipment; they delivered peace of mind. We knew we were in the best hands"