23 Jan 2024
UK industry fears disruption from new post-Brexit border checks
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LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) – British businesses are warning of a new wave of post-Brexit trade disruption because EU exporters are not ready for UK customs changes which start this month, and Britain’s port infrastructure might be unprepared too.
Britain left the European Union’s single market in January 2021 but it has repeatedly delayed imposing checks on EU imports.
By contrast, the EU immediately enforced its rules, leading to port delays in 2021 and prompting some British exporters – such as cheese-makers and high-end beef farmers – to give up on selling to the bloc, at least initially.
Make UK, representing manufacturers, said in December that 90% of firms it surveyed still faced problems doing business with the EU with customs and clearance the biggest barrier.
Marco Forgione, Director General of the Institute of Export & International Trade, representing UK importers, said large EU firms would probably cope with Britain’s new rules but smaller ones – such as specialist food exporters – might struggle.