01/06/2026
Big news from the King's Speech and some important context for anyone moving goods between the UK and EU.
The government has confirmed plans for a UK–EU reset, including an SPS agreement covering agri-food, animal and plant health and food safety rules, with legislation due by the end of 2026 and the agreement taking effect from mid-2027. Closer alignment between UK and EU emissions trading schemes is also on the table.
For importers and exporters, the key points to take away are:
✅ Fewer SPS-related interruptions at the GB–EU border, particularly for agri-food shipments, is a realistic near-term benefit
✅ Greater regulatory certainty through dynamic alignment, as UK rules keep pace with relevant EU legislation
❌ Customs declarations are not going away
❌ Rules of origin issues remain unaffected by the reset as currently described
The direction is positive, but the practical impact will be gradual. In the meantime, customs compliance and border preparedness remain as critical as ever.
Our team is ready to help you assess what changing requirements mean for your supply chain, whether that's documentation, transit times or compliance obligations. Get in touch to find our more: https://graceoverseas.com/contact/
