A new model has been announced to "minimise trader burdens and maintain border security while remaining aligned with international standards".

The government has delayed putting in place the checks four times, which are legally required under the Brexit trade deal with the EU.

But details of the new customs and regulatory process have now been agreed and are set to be introduced later this year.

It is currently a draft and the government wants businesses to provide feedback before it is set in stone.

A ministerial forward to the new document says: "It will move us closer to our goal of creating the most effective border in the world, by introducing an improved regime of sanitary, phytosanitary and security controls on imports.

"These controls are essential to maintaining our security and biosecurity and will better protect us and our environment from invasive pests and diseases, protect public health, deliver food that is safe to eat whilst maintaining security of supply for consumers, and disrupt criminal activity before it can harm our communities."

There are slightly different arrangements for Northern Ireland, the only UK nation that shares a physical border with the EU. These were agreed by Westminster and the EU as part of the Windsor Framework announced in February.

The new changes include:

• A trusted traders scheme to allow frequent importers to avoid trade checks

• Reduce safety and security data requirements down from 37 mandatory fields to 24 - with 13 more optional

• Introduction of the UK Single Trade Window - a single digital gateway for importers and exporters to provide the data needed to trade and apply for licences, submit safety and security data and authorisations for trusted trader schemes

• Removing duplication by improving the use of data

• Removing safety and security requirements for certain outbound freeport goods, outbound transit and fish from UK waters landed in non-UK ports

• Live animals, germinal products, animal products and by-products, plants and plant products will be categorised as high, medium or low risk, with appropriate controls determined by their risk and the country of origin

• Simplified and digitised health certificates

• Support for food businesses who "will need to adapt their businesses and supply chains".

Read more: What is the Windsor Framework?

Read more: Home sec could face legal challenge from Tory MP over migrant barge plan

The government said it plans to implement different parts of the model by three dates:

• 31 October 2023 - the introduction of health certification on imports of medium-risk animal products, plants, plant products and high risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU

• 31 January 2024 - introduction of documentary and risk-based identity and physical checks on medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high risk food and feed of non-animal origin from the EU

Imports of animal and plant goods from the rest of the world will start to benefit from the model

Existing inspections of high-risk plants/plant products from the EU will move from their destination to a border control post within a port or airport

• 31 October 2024 - Safety and security declarations for EU imports will come into force, as will a reduced need for import data and the use of the UK Single Trade Window will remove the need for duplicated pre-arrival data.

The port of Dover was hit by lengthy delays last week as Easter holiday tourists tried to make their way to France but had to endure long queues as border checks took place.

Queues had dissipated by Monday morning but it prompted concerns of delays at other peak times due to French border officials carrying out extra checks and stamping UK passports, as they are now required to do after Brexit.

Over the weekend, Home Secretary Suella Braverman dismissed suggestions the 14-hour delays were due to Brexit but senior Tory MP Sir Robert Buckland then said "there's no doubt" increased checks due to leaving the EU were part of the problem.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman then admitted on Monday "new processes" played a role in the delays.