Concern over Brexit border plans

Companies moving goods over the Great Britain-eu border will have to produce 400 million customs declarations a year, it has emerged, as the government confirmed it would spend £470 million on new customs infrastructure.

Between ten and 12 lorry parks will need to be built to process goods arriving in the UK where there is no space in ports.

Meanwhile, digital systems for managing trade after the post-brexit transition phase ends on 1 January, 2021 will not be fully rolled out until 2025, it was confirmed.

The UK Government insisted it would have the “most secure” border by the time the full range of measures is implemented, at a total cost of £700m including new technology and additional staff.

Government sources said the final costs of completing customs declarations will “vary significantly” and fees are expected to reduce overtime, but a former head of

HMRC previously estimated that each declaration would cost companies £32.50.

The estimated annual increase in the number of declarations on the UK side is 215 million per year, sources said, with the rest on the continent.

Publication of the new border regime comes ahead of a public information campaign giving guidance to traders and hauliers ahead of the end of the transition period.

But business leaders warned that with a trade deal between the UK and the EU still hanging in the balance, preparations would be difficult.

Allie Renison, the head of Europe and trade policy at the Institute of Directors said:“it’s welcome to look at staggering the impact of changes, but without knowing what the final outcome will be or the contingencies from both sides, action now could make little difference.

“Trying to plan for Brexit while it’s still being negotiated is a tall order.”