18
Acknowledged
Develop future border cost recovery mechanisms collaboratively with industry to rebuild trust.
Recommendation
Border control posts recover costs whilst operating as the least-cost, high-efficiency solution for border checks. Industry trust in the Common User Charge has been undermined by a perceived lack of transparency in cost recovery processes and concerns over the widespread use of auto-clearance. Many stakeholders feel they are not receiving value for money. It is vital that future cost recovery mechanisms are developed collaboratively with industry. (Recommendation, Paragraph 29)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges industry concerns regarding the Common User Charge, explaining its cost recovery model and transparent publication of operating costs, and notes that an annual review of the charge is ongoing.
Government Response
Acknowledged
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Common User Charge (CUC) is utilised only at Sevington, as the only Government operated BCP currently in Great Britain. The CUC operates on a cost recovery model to fund the operational costs of the BCP. Fees charged by other BCP operators are not within the control of the Government, but these facilities are not required to operate on a cost recovery basis. The CUC was designed to minimise impact across all businesses by spreading costs across the maximum number of imports, keeping charges as low as possible while providing a high level of predictability, and ensuring products that enter the UK meet the appropriate SPS and food safety standards. Every effort has been made to set CUC rates at the lowest possible levels for businesses of all sizes, across all sectors. The concerns raised by industry to the Select Committee are recognised by the Government. Defra published estimated Sevington BCP operating costs for financial year 2024/25 in February 2025.1 Actual operating costs for this period will be published following the conclusion of the first annual review of the Common User Charge, which is currently ongoing.
Source
Inquiry
Animal and plant health
Report
4th Report - UK-EU trade: towards a resilient border strategy
15 Sep 2025
HC 1279
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.7 yr
Report published
15 Sep 2025