Exports to Europe fell by 68%, and UK-EU trade encountered difficulties again!

Since Brexit, the number of customs documents between the UK and the EU has continued to increase, regulatory measures have continued to be strengthened, and transportation costs have also risen accordingly, which has greatly dampened the enthusiasm for import and export trade.

Trade is hindered, and UK exports to the EU fell by 68%

Recent data shows that UK exports to the EU fell by 68% in January this year compared with the same period last year . According to statistics from the Road Haulage Association (RHA), 65%-75% of the transport vehicles to and from the EU are empty. The association said this was due to commodity shortages, transportation delays and British retailers themselves stopping exports .

In the coming months, further checks will be implemented at the UK border to control the flow of everything from food to timber.

From April 1, 2021, UK Customs will begin to control the import of animal products for sanitary and phytosanitary ( SPS), including fisheries, sausages and plant products. This means that every shipment arriving in the UK will require cumbersome documents, including an import declaration and a health certificate signed by a veterinarian; after July, retailers delivering goods must make a complete customs declaration when entering the UK. In addition, imported goods must enter the UK at specific locations called border control stations .

Artisanal cheese retailer La Fromagerie has been sourcing cheese from France and Italy for 30 years and selling it to consumers through its London store and website. But Brexit has exposed it to additional import taxes and tariffs. La Fromagerie said, "If the situation does not improve, our prices will increase by 10% to 15% in April, and transportation costs will increase by 15% directly . "

Many parties called on the government to intervene urgently

In this emergency, on February 8, the Road Haulage Association wrote to cabinet ministers, detailing the dire situation of UK-EU trade and requesting the government to "urgently intervene" to unblock the supply chain. But its CEO Richard Burnett said, "I am very frustrated and annoyed that ministers have not listened to this request."

The British government has said that the data of "a 68% drop in exports" is inaccurate. Thanks to the hard work of the transportation industry and traders, border disruptions have been minimal so far, and freight volumes are currently close to normal levels.

It is reported that the British government has chosen a phased approach to border clearance, delaying certain customs procedures by 3-6 months, aiming to give retailers more time to adapt to the new rules. But the postponement date is approaching, and the huge paperwork has caused confusion and delays at the border since January 1.

According to data released by the British government in July last year, British retailers will need to submit more than 215 customs forms in the year after Brexit , which may cost 12 billion pounds (16.4 billion US dollars) .

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