THE TWO OPTIONS ON THE TABLE

NEW CUSTOMS PARTNERSHIP — BACKED BY REMAINERS

UK officials electronically track final destinations of goods coming into Britain from outside EU.

Those heading on to Europe pay the relevant EU tariff to UK customs, with money then handed to Brussels.

Firms selling directly to the UK also pay full EU tariff — but then get rebate if our tariff levels are lower.

Britain also responsible for ensuring goods meet all relevant EU standards.

Supporters say by avoiding need for physical EU-UK customs borders, it provides answer to Ulster problem.

They also claim it would allow UK to leave the customs union and negotiate trade deals with non-EU countries.

MAXIMUM FACILITATION — SUPPORTED BY BREXITEERS

Aims to dramatically reduce customs controls between the UK and the EU.

Goods to be electronically tracked and pre-cleared with tax authorities.

Shipping firms operate as ‘trusted traders’ so they can move goods freely as EU tariff is only paid when goods arrive in destination country.

Trusted traders also undertake to ensure that EU standards are met.

Would allow Britain to do deals with non-EU nations, because we would not have to collect EU tariffs.

Technology could avoid need to create a ‘hard border’ in Ireland.

EU has dismissed this proposal as ‘magical thinking’.