Safety & Security Declarations GB: Post-Brexit Compliance Challenge

  • Director of Customer's Success

Starting 31 January 2025, safety and security (S&S) declarations will become mandatory for EU imports to the UK, requiring businesses to submit additional information about their goods to UK customs. This is part of the final phase of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM).

As of January 31, 2025, EU imports to the UK will be subject to mandatory safety and security declarations. Businesses must provide additional details about their goods to UK customs as part of the BTOM’s final phase.

Starting on January 31, 2025, EU imports into the UK will require safety and security declarations. As part of the BTOM’s last stage, companies will need to give UK customs more information about their products.

Understanding Safety & Security Declarations GB (S&S GB)

After Brexit, when the UK departed from the EU, there was a need for new regulatory requirements for the cross-border movement of goods in the GB. One such system is the Safety & Security GB, also named S&S GB, which is similar to the Import Control System (ICS) of the EU.

S&S GB is designed to manage safety and security risks associated with importing and exporting goods, ensuring that the UK is safe from threats like illegal goods or harmful items.

While the Safety & Security GB is similar to the EU’s Import Control System, there are some notable differences.

  • S&S GB only focuses on pre-arrival filings, while ICS includes both pre-arrival and pre-loading filings.

  • Opposed to ICS, S&S GB doesn’t require HS codes and the Request for Information (RFI) process.

Learn more about Safety & Security Declarations with our detailed guide.

S&S GB and BTOM

The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) released new border control approaches in the UK after Brexit to protect against potential risks. It introduced Safety & Security Declarations for GB imports and exports; it requires Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) for all the goods entering the GB and Exit Summary Declaration (EXS) for goods moving out of the GB.

Tired of struggling with manual ENS declarations?

Let iCustoms automate data extraction and ENS filing for you.

Start Now

Who is affected by Safety & Security Declarations?

The introduction of the S&S GB system will have widespread effects on many stakeholders involved in trading. It includes:

Hauliers

Hauliers moving goods into GB from the EU by road need to comply with the S&S GB requirements, which can be challenging for them, especially if they lack the necessary data to lodge the filing.

Air carriers

Air carriers based in the EU that ship to the GB will need to modify their processes to comply with the S&S GB regulations. To fulfil these requirements, those who have not previously shipped goods to the UK from outside the EU might need to create new systems or collaborate with service providers.

Freight forwarders

Shipping or transportation companies that are responsible for moving goods from the EU to the UK must meet S&S GB requirements and submit it on time.

Short sea maritime carriers

The operators of the short sea maritime carriers must make sure they are fully compliant with the S&S declaration requirements. They may need to make changes to their current system to be compliant.

What are the challenges of S&S GB compliance?

The shifting to the S&S declaration presents many challenges to the businesses involved in transportation of goods into the UK from the EU.

System preparedness

Not all hauliers, carriers, and other parties have a system in place to lodge Safety & Security Declarations for GB. They may need to upgrade their current system or implement a new one, which could be time-consuming and expensive, particularly for businesses with limited resources.

Availability of data

Another key challenge is ensuring the availability and accuracy of the necessary data for S&S GB declaration. Some sea carriers or hauliers may find it challenging to obtain cargo information required for this declaration, mainly if they are novices in dealing with such requirements.

Regulatory knowledge

The post-Brexit regulatory landscape is constantly evolving, requiring businesses to stay up to date. Staying compliant becomes challenging, especially for businesses dealing with multiple markets with varying rules and regulations.

Integration

Integrating S&S GB into the existing system can be complicated, especially for companies already handling multiple regulatory and customs processes.

S&S GB declarations requirement

The importers must submit the following information for S&S GB declaration:

  • Good information

    • Goods description

    • Quantity

    • Value

    • Packaging

    • Commodity code

  • Transportation information

    • Vehicle details

    • Route

    • Estimated arrival date and time

    • Mode of transport  

  • Parties information

    • Consignee

    • Consignor

    • Carrier

    • Agent

  • Identification numbers

    • EORI number

    • IMO vessel number

    • Vehicle registration number

    • Transportation document number

Safety & Security Declaration submission

The carriers of the goods from EU to GB or RoW to GB are responsible for submitting Safety & Security Declarations using this S&S GB service. You will need to use your Government Gateway user account ID and password.

The bottom line

The introduction of Safety & Security Declarations GB (S&S GB) represents a major change in the trade environment in the United Kingdom. Businesses need to get ready early to meet the January 31, 2025, deadline in order to comply with these new regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Safety and Security Declarations GB (S&S GB)?

Safety and Security Declarations GB (S&S GB) are pre-arrival filings that carriers must submit to UK customs before goods enter Great Britain from the EU or rest of the world. Introduced as part of the Border Target Operating Model, they became mandatory for EU imports on 31 January 2025. The declarations provide UK customs with advance information about goods, allowing authorities to identify safety, security, and prohibited-goods risks before a shipment arrives.

How does S&S GB differ from the EU Import Control System?

Although S&S GB and the EU Import Control System (ICS) serve similar border security purposes, they differ in two key ways. First, S&S GB only requires pre-arrival filings, whereas ICS covers both pre-arrival and pre-loading submissions. Second, S&S GB does not require HS commodity codes or the Request for Information process that ICS uses. Businesses familiar with ICS therefore need to adjust their workflows when submitting S&S GB declarations.

What is the Border Target Operating Model and how does it relate to S&S GB?

The Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) is the UK government's framework for managing border controls following Brexit. It sets out phased requirements for goods entering Great Britain, including the introduction of S&S GB declarations. Under BTOM, carriers must submit an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) for all goods entering GB and an Exit Summary Declaration (EXS) for goods leaving. S&S GB is therefore the practical mechanism through which BTOM's security requirements are enforced.

Who is responsible for submitting S&S GB declarations?

The carrier of the goods, not the importer or exporter, is responsible for submitting S&S GB declarations. This applies to hauliers moving goods by road, air carriers flying goods into GB, freight forwarders managing EU-to-UK shipments, and short sea maritime operators. Each carrier type must ensure its systems can produce and lodge compliant declarations before goods arrive, making early system readiness a priority for all transport operators in the EU-UK supply chain.

What information must be included in an S&S GB declaration?

An S&S GB declaration requires four categories of information. Goods details include description, quantity, value, packaging, and commodity code. Transport details cover vehicle information, route, mode of transport, and estimated arrival time. Party details identify the consignee, consignor, carrier, and agent. Identification numbers include the EORI number, IMO vessel number where applicable, vehicle registration number, and transportation document number. Incomplete submissions risk delays and non-compliance penalties.

What are the main compliance challenges businesses face with S&S GB?

Businesses face four key challenges. System readiness is a concern for operators who lack dedicated declaration software and need to build or procure new tools. Data availability is problematic where carriers struggle to obtain complete cargo information from shippers. Regulatory knowledge is an ongoing challenge given the evolving post-Brexit landscape. Finally, integration with existing customs and logistics platforms can be complex, particularly for businesses already managing multiple regulatory processes across different markets.

How does iCustoms help carriers comply with S&S GB requirements?

iCustoms automates the data extraction and ENS filing process that S&S GB compliance requires. The platform pulls goods, transport, and party information from trade documents automatically, reducing manual data entry and the risk of errors in submissions. Because declarations must be lodged before goods arrive, iCustoms enables carriers to meet tight pre-arrival deadlines consistently. As a result, businesses avoid the delays, penalties, and border holds that incomplete or late S&S GB filings can trigger.

iCustoms Watch a Demo

Avoid costly errors and delays in your ENS submissions with iCustoms!

Watch a Demo

You may also like:

Simplify Your ENS Submissions with iCustoms

iDP Icon

Automate data entry, reduce errors and ensure compliance

Start Now

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Newsletter

About iCustoms

iCustoms is an all-in-one solution helping businesses automate customs processes more efficiently. With AI-powered and machine-learning capabilities, iCustoms is designed to streamline your all customs procedures in a few minutes, cut additional costs and save time.
Start Now

Industries

Products

Simplify Your ENS Submissions with iCustoms

iDP Icon

Automate data entry, reduce errors and ensure compliance

Start Now