Border Target Operating Model — the UK's post-Brexit physical-inspection regime for EU fresh-produce imports.
The Border Target Operating Model is the UK's phased post-Brexit border-control regime for sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods. From 30 April 2024, every consignment of fresh produce arriving from the EU must enter at a designated Border Control Post and undergo documentary, identity, and physical checks proportional to its risk category.
High-risk and medium-risk SPS goods: fresh fruit and vegetables, cut flowers, plants and plant material, and animal products. Low-risk produce sees documentary checks only. Categories are updated by Defra and the Animal & Plant Health Agency.
The Common User Charge applies per consignment (currently up to £29 per category, capped at £145 per consignment). Inspection fees, storage during hold periods, and shrinkage from delays add to the carried cost. Industry estimates put the aggregate UK-importer cost at £200M+ per year on the EU fresh-produce trade.
Pre-cleared documented-trader lanes via our Rotterdam hub: phytosanitary certificates and CDS pre-arrival notifications are hash-sealed into the evidence pack at origin, so the inspection is documentary and identity-only on arrival. The artefact set covers BTOM compliance as a first-class evidence type.