The UK is ready for its “new start”, the government has said, as it prepares to leave EU trading rules at 11pm.
Officials insisted new border systems were “ready to go” amid concerns about possible delays.
The trade deal agreed by the two sides avoids the need for import taxes – tariffs – which many firms had feared.
But there will still be major changes to rules on travel, immigration, commerce, living and working abroad – as well as crime fighting and security.
Fears of giant tailbacks of lorries at Dover – in the event of a no-deal exit from the EU single market and customs union – have receded, but uncertainty remains about new customs rules and the government has warned there will be “some disruption”.
To reduce the risk of delays, the UK is phasing in checks on goods entering the country from the continent over a six-month period up to July 2021.
But some new customs procedures will come into force on the UK-side immediately from 11pm, such as on imports of alcohol, tobacco, chemicals and controlled drugs.
EU member states are introducing full customs declarations and other controls on UK exports from 11pm.
Among the other things that will change from 23:00 GMT:
Free movement of people between the UK and EU countries will end – to be replaced in the UK by a “points-based” immigration system.
Anyone from the UK who wants to stay in most of the EU for more than 90 days in any 180-day period will need a visa
Duty-free shopping will return, with people coming back to the UK from the EU able to bring up to 42 litres of beer, 18 litres of wine, four litres of spirits and 200 cigarettes without paying tax
EU citizens wanting to move to the UK (except those from the Irish Republic) will face the same points-based system as people elsewhere in the world
UK police will lose instant access to EU-wide databases on criminal records, fingerprints and wanted persons
Traders in England, Scotland and Wales will have to complete more paperwork when dealing with EU countries
Unlike the rest of the UK, Northern Ireland will continue to follow many of the EU’s rules, as its border with the Irish Republic remains all but invisible.
And the UK will gradually be able to keep more of the fish caught in its own waters, while the European Court of Justice will cease to have any role in deciding disputes between the UK and EU.
Intensive preparations have been taking place over the past two weeks to prepare the UK for the changes.
The UK’s Countdown Plan has involved operational testing of infrastructure at the border and close co-operation with France, Holland and Belgium.
A government spokesman said: “The border systems and infrastructure we need are in place, and we are ready for the UK’s new start.”
But concerns remain that many small businesses are not prepared for the changes and that with lorries without the correct paperwork set to be turned back at Dover and other ports, delays are inevitable.
Traffic volumes are expected to be lower than normal on 1 January due to the pandemic but are expected to pick up from Monday, when the new procedures and the UK’s contingency measures are expected to be tested.
The government said 450 “Kent access” permits had been issued to HGV lorries intending to cross the channel at Dover on 1 January and hauliers arriving without them would be identified and subject to a £300 fine.
One logistics firm told the BBC it would not send any trucks across until 10 January due to congestion fears although Channel Tunnel Operator Getalink has said it expects the new systems to work smoothly.
Brexit happened on 31 January 2020, but the UK has continued to follow Brussels’ trade rules until now, while the deal was thrashed out.
It completes the process set in motion in June 2016, when, in a referendum, UK voters chose by 52% to 48% to leave the EU.
The free trade deal – agreed on Christmas Eve after nine months of negotiations – finally passed into UK law early on Thursday morning – having also been backed by Brussels.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The destiny of this great country now resides firmly in our hands.”
But opponents say the country will still be worse off than it was while in the EU – and there is still uncertainty about what it will happen to banking and services, which are a major part of the UK economy.
Meanwhile, the UK and Spain have reached agreement on a political framework for Gibraltar which will pave the way for a separate UK-EU treaty regarding the British overseas territory, which was not covered by the trade deal.
Thursday’s agreement means the border between Gibraltar and Spain will remain open.
BBC
