Customs deal critical for UK

‘Gaps on shelves’ fear on leaving EU

TOUGHER customs controls in place after Brexit could lead to “gaps on shelves”, shop bosses will warn today.

A failure to secure a trade deal with the EU could also push up prices, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The trade body redoubled pressure on ministers as they begin the next round of negotiations with EU officials.

Customs arrangements after March 2019, when the UK officially leaves the EU, are set to form a key part of the talks.

At present, 79% of food imported to the UK comes from the EU. As a member of the Union, the UK uses a simple system called a ‘single administrative document’ as a customs declaration on all products.

The UK may be able to negotiate a transitional deal, but there are concerns about the long-term solution.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “While the Government has acknowledged the need to avoid a cliff-edge after Brexit day, a customs union in itself won’t solve the problem of delays at ports.

“So to ensure supply chains are not disrupted and goods continue to reach the shelves, agreements on security, transit, haulage, drivers, VAT and other checks will be required to get systems ready for March 2019.”

Critics say that without a customs deal, there could be logjams of lorries at busy ports such as Dover, many of which are unprepared for Brexit.

Yet others say it is in the EU’s interest to agree a mutually beneficial deal, given the UK’s importance as an export market.

And while the EU is vital for food imports, just 12% of non-food goods come from the bloc.