SGS TransitNet Marks 20 Years of Revolutionizing Customs Transit Solutions

This year, SGS TransitNet proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of delivering innovative, reliable, and universal customs transit guarantee services to transporters, brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics professionals worldwide. Since its inception, TransitNet has transformed the way businesses navigate complex customs processes, providing a seamless, secure, and efficient solution for transit declarations across 40 countries.

As a multimodal, web-based platform, TransitNet empowers clients by acting as the Holder of the Procedure (HoP) on their behalf, enabling them to create and submit transit declarations with financial guarantees to customs systems where SGS operates. Connected to major customs networks, including NCTS in countries such as the UK, Turkey, Switzerland, and Romania, TransitNet ensures real-time monitoring and tracking of declarations until completion. Its multilingual interface and user-friendly design make it accessible to a global audience, streamlining operations for businesses of all sizes.

 

Over the past 20 years, TransitNet has continuously evolved to meet the dynamic needs of its clients. From expanding its network to enhancing platform security and functionality, SGS remains committed to staying at the forefront of the logistics and customs industry. This milestone is a testament to the trust placed in us by our clients and partners, whose collaboration has driven our success.

 

As we celebrate this significant achievement, we look forward to continuing our mission of simplifying customs processes and supporting global trade. Thank you to our clients, partners, and team for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to the next 20 years of innovation and excellence!

New Import Rules for Animals and Animal Products Set to Enforce Stringent Standards from January 31, 2024

In a significant development that will reshape international trade practices, new import rules for animals and animal products come into force from January 31, 2024. These rules mark a decisive shift in global trade regulations, prioritizing the welfare of animals and reinforcing biosecurity measures. Let’s delve into the details of these forthcoming changes and their implications for global commerce.

International accord on stricter regulations

As the world confronts mounting concerns over animal welfare and the transmission of infectious diseases, the introduction of these new import rules signifies a global consensus on implementing stricter standards. The primary objective is to harmonize international trade while upholding the health and welfare of animals.

What is the new regulation?

• Simplified export health certificates and phytosanitary certificates for medium risk animal products and phytosanitary goods imported from the EU
• Begin sample documentary checks on medium risk goods from the EU, but there will be no new routine controls undertaken on these goods at the border, so initially there will be no charges for documentary checks or holds for inspection
• The removal of pre notification requirements for low risk plant and plant products from the EU
• Introduce pre-notification requirements for EU sanitary and phytosanitary goods that enter Great Britain via West Coast port
• The introduction of health certification on imports from the EU of high risk food and feed of non-animal origin
• The introduction of new checks and controls when moving Irish goods (i.e. any goods other than qualifying Northern Irish goods) from Irish ports directly to Great Britain

Impact on global trade

The implementation of these new import rules marks a profound shift in international trade dynamics. While challenges are expected, such as increased administrative requirements and potential delays, the regulations also present opportunities for nations to underscore their commitment to animal welfare, biosecurity and international collaboration.

For businesses involved in the trade of animals and animal products, adherence to these regulations is imperative to maintain access to global markets. The new rules underline the importance of robust quality control systems, comprehensive record-keeping and a deep understanding of biosecurity principles.

What lies ahead?

Governments, businesses and international organizations are working in tandem to introduce and adapt to these new import rules. The overarching objective is to strike a balance between facilitating international trade and safeguarding animal health and welfare.

The regulation is to drive progress in animal welfare, biosecurity and the overall safety of animal products in the realm of global trade. While they may present short-term challenges, they represent a positive shift towards a more sustainable and responsible approach to international trade in animals and animal products.

With the onset of these regulations, the world eagerly anticipates the way in which they will shape the future of global trade, ensuring a higher standard of care for animals and bolstered biosecurity for all.

How can SGS help?

In an increasingly globalized economy, customs brokerage services are a valuable asset for businesses engaged in international trade. Our professionals simplify the complexities of customs compliance, documentation and regulatory changes, allowing companies to focus on their core operations and expand their global reach. SGS e-Customs can register your shipments in import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS) as part of our comprehensive customs services. Whether you are a seasoned international trader or a business exploring new global markets, partnering with SGS can be a strategic move to streamline your operations, enhance compliance and ultimately boost your competitiveness in the world of international commerce.

SGS e-Customs launches Export services in Ireland

SGS e-Customs are delighted to announce that we have grown our customs services with the introduction of export services from Ireland. The service was launched on the 14th June 2021.

Brexit has considerably increased the demand for export, import and transit declarations on the island of Ireland. From Ireland, SGS has been successfully offering a complex transit service including transit with guarantee, entries into GVMS and entries into both the French and Irish ICS systems since the 1st of January 2021.

The addition of export declarations to our SGS’ e-Customs offer from Ireland is another step in our goal to offer a comprehensive customs service from Ireland.

SGS TransitNet offers our clients a unique service in combining the submission of an export declaration plus a transit declaration for a discounted fee. Export + Transit is currently needed for movements of goods from Ireland which will finish in a third country, for example anywhere outside the EU including Great Britain, Turkey, Switzerland, Serbia and Russia. Transit to Great Britain can also be a great way to ensure that your goods are not delayed at the exit and entry ports of Ireland and Great Britain and that the truck can freely move through the ports closer to the actual destination of the goods.

SGS is also able to offer import services in the UK to offer the full range of services necessary for the flow of goods between Ireland and Great Britain.

For more information on export declarations from Ireland and for the range of services that SGS e-Customs offer, please contact your local client centre or use the contact form to get in touch.

New import requirements for composite products (products containing both processed products of animal origin and plant based products)

Situation before 21 April 2021:

• Many products containing products of animal origin (POAO) are already subject to health certificates, pre-notification in Traces and inspections at border control posts:
  • • All products which contain meat
    • All products containing more than 50% processed POAO
    • All non-shelf stable products containing any quantity of milk
• However, products without meat and containing less than 50% of processed POAO were normally exempt from health certificates, pre-notification and inspections at BCPs

 

Situation from 21 April onwards:

• Stricter controls and requirements will apply to products without meat and containing less than 50% of processed POAO. Which controls apply depends on the following distinction:
  • • Products that are not shelf-stable (i.e. perishable, must be transported and stored at controlled temperatures) will require a health certificate, a pre-notification in Traces and inspection at a BCP
    • Products that are shelf-stable must be accompanied by a ‘private attestation’. These products are further subdivided:
      • • If the products are classified as low risk a pre-notification on Traces is not required and no inspection at a BCP is required.
        • Other products must be pre-notified on Traces and are subject to veterinary checks at BCPS
    • The list of low risk composite products that do not require pre-notification and inspection at BCPs can be found here: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=PI_COM%3AAres%282021%2972083
• Less strict controls and requirements may apply to shelf-stable composite products containing more than 50% POAO but no meat, such as dairy products that do not have to be temperature controlled. These products will have to be accompanied by a private attestation instead of a health certificate.

 

The private attestation:

• A private attestation is a document signed by the EU importer, in which the importer provides relevant information about the product and declares that the product meets all requirements for being allowed into the EU.
• A model template for the private attestation can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6065e00fe90e074e529bdf3c/8352EHC_EN.pdf

 

For more information please download the PDF file below;