Customs Clearance

Supply chain problems are multiplying rapidly as a result of Brexit. Early preparation is key to ensuring that your business is ready to deal with any issues before the product is shipped. The problems were masked in January as many companies had stockpiled goods before Christmas to give themselves a chance to assess the situation.

The main early problem is that companies are making mistakes with all the paperwork they now have to complete. Some are simply not submitting the right paperwork as they don’t realise that the UK is no longer part of the EU Single Market and Customs Union. The key issue is that goods now have to go through much stricter border controls, as the UK has become a “3rd country”.  On some days, up to 20% of all movements are being rejected. Customs officials are there to stop things happening, and they will not simply let the goods through based on a promise to “do better next time”.

Hauliers are in the middle of all the problems, and EU hauliers are increasingly refusing to take loads to Britain, as the increased border controls caused by Brexit and coronavirus checks make those journeys less profitable. The rejection rate for loads destined for Great Britain from France in January was more than twice the average for the third quarter of 2020.

Some time-limited waivers were initially granted to allow business to adapt. But these waivers have already started to expire. And the situation is likely to become more complex as the UK government starts to impose its own Border controls – even though the main date for this has now slipped to 1 January 2022.