Border control post set to transform port

20 Jul 2021 / Portsmouth, United Kingdom

Work is continuing at pace to prepare for the most significant changes to customs and health check import requirements in a generation, as construction for Portsmouth International Port's Border Control Post (BCP) moves into the next significant phase.

Known as the Border Operating Model, from 1 January 2022 facilities are expected to be in place to manage physical checks on imports.

Following £17.1m from the government's Ports Infrastructure Fund this signals one of the largest investment projects in the port’s history and will generate over 100 new posts required for port health, operations, customs and Border Force operations.

New purpose built facilities, which meet DEFRA specification for checking plant and products of animal origin, will include refrigerated units for chilled and frozen products, inspection rooms and cross docking abilities, where cargo can be unloaded and checked easily.

DEFRA will support funding for veterinary and port health staff, as they will be required to work shifts inspecting food and plant products.

Portsmouth's new facility provides importers with a convenient solution when looking for a port to clear their goods, when they become subject to new checks…

…The site stretches across nearly two acres and the steel structure for the facility will start being constructed shortly...

…Opening times to be confirmed but it will have 14 loading bays, 17 cold stores able to keep goods chilled or frozen, and five inspections rooms and inspection areas…

…The new facilities will be built to environmental standards, all with solar PV installed…

(For information about operations in the United Kingdom, contact GAC UK at [email protected])

Source: Extracts from Portsmouth International Port (www.portsmouth-port.co.uk) update

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