Roles and Responsibilities

This section describes the roles of key government and related organisations in managing the Border with the EU, and a summary of the key border related systems managed by each organisation / department. The Border and Protocol Delivery Group works with broad range of Departments to ensure there is an effective border.

Devolved Administrations (DA) – Import and export controls are generally reserved, but the areas of food safety, the protection of human, animal and plant health, and the environment, as well as transport, policing, and others, are devolved. The Devolved Administrations therefore implement various provisions in these areas in Scotland and Wales. There is ongoing liaison with the DA’s where this will be clarified further.

Border Force

Border Force is a law enforcement command within the Home Office. It secures the UK Border by carrying out immigration and customs controls for people and goods entering the UK. Border Force have the authority to seize items, such as goods and vehicles, under section 139 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. More information on what to do if an item is seized can be found here.

Key Systems of interaction: (does not denote ownership)

– Border Crossing; CBP; Cross Check; E-Gate; CHIPP; ICS; CHIEF; CMS; ATA; NS; SMS; DTR; EMCS; EORI

HM Revenue & Customs

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) also has important border responsibilities. HMRC is responsible for collecting tax, duties and excise, and processing customs declarations. HMRC also has a legal pbligation to collect and publish UK trade in goods data. HMRC and Border Force have a partnership agreement.

Key Systems of interaction: (does not denote ownership)

AFIS; CCI; CDMS; CSP; CDS; DDS; DTR; EMCS; EORI; CHIEF; NCTS; NIDAC; HMRC Excise; System for Duty

Stamps, S&S GB

Department for Transport

The Department for Transport is a UK Government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland and Wales that have not been devolved.

Key Systems of interaction: (does not denote ownership)

CO2 Compliance; ENCIP2 & THETIS & LRIT; ERADIS; MarED

Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is a UK Government department responsible for environmental protection, food production and standards, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in England.

Key Systems of interaction: (does not denote ownership)

ADNS; AEC; ALVS; e-EHC; SANTE; DTR; EMCS; IRMS; IPAFFS; E-DOMERO; FGAS reporting/quota; REACH UK; VMS; VMD

Department for International Trade

The Department for International Trade is a UK Government department responsible for striking and extending trade agreements between the United Kingdom and non-EU states, providing export support as well as for encouraging foreign investment and export trade. DIT is also responsible for strategic export controls and enforcing some key import controls.

Key Systems of interaction: (does not denote ownership)

SPIRE; Goods Checker; UK Trade Remedies; OGEL Checker; LITE; TAP; CHEG; TWUK

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is a UK Government department of the government of the United Kingdom, which was created by Theresa May on 14 July 2016 following her appointment as Prime Minister, through a merger between the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Key Systems of interaction: (does not denote ownership)

ICMS; RAPEX

Other Border Organisations

There is an array of other government organisations with policy or operational responsibilities at the border. The border is one of the biggest contact points for government organisations, as it presents a checkpoint for people and goods leaving or entering the UK. Some bodies provide intelligence and systems for the Home Office to use or set policies and standards. The following table sets out some of the major government border roles and responsibilities but is not exhaustive.

 

Role	Policy Bodies	Operational Bodies
Imports and exports of live animals and animal products	Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs or Devolved Administration Equivalent Animal and Plant Health Agency, Food Standards Agency, Food Standards Scotland, Fish Health Inspectorate, CEFAS Fish Health Inspectorate and Marine Scotland Fish Health Inspectorate	Animal and Plant Health Agency, Port Health Authorities, Rural Payments Agency, Scottish Government
Imports and exports of fruit and vegetables, plants and wood	Defra, Devolved Administration Equivalent, Animal and Plant Health Agency, Food Standards Agency, Food Standards Scotland	Animal and Plant Health Agency, Forestry Commission (and Scottish and Welsh equivalents), Port Health Authorities, Local Authorities, Rural Payments Agency, Scottish Government
Protecting the environment	Defra, Devolved Administration Equivalent, Marine Management Organisation	Environment Agency, SEPA (in Scotland), Natural Resources Wales
Control of imports and exports of medicines and healthcare products	Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency	Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Veterinary Medicines Directorate
Control of imports and exports of chemicals and nuclear materials	Health and Safety Executive, Devolved Administration Equivalent	Health and Safety Executive, Office for Nuclear Regulation, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales
Protecting UK consumers and businesses	Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, Intellectual Property Office, HM Revenue and Customs	Trading Standards, National Measurement Office, Environmental Health, Border Force
Export licencing of cultural objects	Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport	Export Licensing Unit, Arts Council England
Monitoring and licensing of imports subject to controls (bans, quotas, etc.)	Department for International Trade	Import Licensing Branch, Department for International Trade
Control and licensing of military equipment and strategic exports	Department for International Trade, Ministry of Defence, FCO, HM Revenue and Customs	Export Control Joint Unit, Department for International Trade, Border Force

 

Control and licensing of road transport in and out of the UK	Department for Transport	Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
Control of drugs licences	Home Office Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit are the operational policy holders and the operational delivery body of licensing.	Border Force enforce the Home Office operational policy