Quality Freight, one of the UK’s leading shipping and freight forwarders owned by Peel Ports, is encouraging importers and exporters to prepare robust customs clearance procedures ahead of 1 January to avoid unwanted delays.
As the Brexit transition period ends, the obligation of customs clearance of goods moving between the EU and UK will begin and, regardless of a deal or no-deal Brexit, there will be new customs requirements that businesses need to prepare for.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove has already written a letter to haulage associations warning that 7,000 trucks could be queuing for up to two days in Kent due to delays caused by Brexit.
This would significantly impact the transportation of ‘category one’ goods such as food, medicine and hospital equipment.
Quality Freight Managing Director Sebastian Gardiner said: “As Brexit negotiations continue, we still don’t know if the government will reach a final deal. However, what is certain is that customs clearance procedures are going to change.
“At Quality Freight, we’re set up for both eventualities and our intention is to continue to ensure the seamless movement of goods.
“When importing or exporting, the right customs clearance paperwork will be crucial and missing or inaccurate documents can increase risks, lead to delays and extra costs. It may even result in cargo being held at the port of entry.”
Both importers bringing goods into the UK and exporters moving goods out of the UK will be impacted by Brexit.
With the imminent and potentially complicated changes to customs clearance procedures, a process that is 100 per cent online, working with a trusted agent can ensure the smooth movement of goods.
Sebastian Gardiner added: “It’s no surprise that all businesses will be impacted by the changes Brexit will bring, and it’ll be necessary for them to re-evaluate their business model, maybe using other ports across the country as regional gateways, to avoid costly delays and future proof their supply chains.
“To improve resilience ahead of Brexit, we have invested heavily at our Liverpool, Heysham and Sheerness ports to relieve pressure by ensuring they have the capacity to accommodate switch routes and modes.
“We’ve also increased throughput capacity for HGV trailers, containers and storage to support smooth operations for our customers.
“Quality Freight is based in the North West and we’re able to offer proximity to market benefits, which allows goods to reach their end destination more reliably and with less reliance on increasingly scarce truck drivers.
“With containers accounting for much of the traffic entering the ports versus our southern counterparts, there are less human touchpoints which helps to reduce unwanted delays such as barrier checks.
“Whether it’s import, export or transhipment, our expert team can manage all clearance processes, conforming to all Customs/Statutory Bodies’ requirements, ensuring the free flow of goods.”
