Two temporary Inland Border Facilities (IBFs) will be closing earlier than planned, in November 2022, HM Revenue and Customs have announced.
The two remaining interim IBF sites Warrington and Ebbsfleet, will close on 13 November and 27 November respectively, following the closure of Birmingham and North Weald IBFs earlier this year.
IBFs allow HMRC to carry out documentation checks and physical inspections away from the UK’s busiest ports to help with the flow of goods in and out of the UK.
Testing at the Sevington and Holyhead IBFs showed these two larger facilities can handle all IBF traffic without the support of the smaller sites. Therefore, Ebbsfleet and Warrington IBFs will close ahead of the planned December closure date.
Claire Dartington, Director, Borders & Trade, and Senior Responsible Owner of the IBF Programme, said:
“Inland Border Facilities are constantly under review to make sure they provide value for the taxpayer and meet the demands of traffic flow.
We will continue to provide an excellent service and support the flow of trade through the Sevington and Holyhead IBF sites.”