Category: Brexit

Brexit: Trade agreements update

After 31st December 2020, EU trade agreements will not apply to the UK, which is why trade negotiators are seeking to reproduce the effects of existing EU agreements, to ensure continuity of trading arrangements for UK businesses after the transition period ends. From 1st January 2021, if no t... Read more

Brexit politics round-up 3rd December

While Joe Biden seemingly closes the door on any trade-deal for the time being, there is hope that EU trade negotiations are making some progress, but time is fast running out. The UK has been prioritising a US trade deal, which looked promising with the administration of Donald Trump, a fierc... Read more

The new Border (Brexit) Operating Model

On 13th July 2020, the UK Government released the Border Operating Model (BOM), detailing how the UK will manage customs and border control obligations post-Brexit. On 8th October 2020, the UK Government released a comprehensive BOM update that will be effective from 1st January 2021.  Al... Read more

Drive home Brexit deal or risk £55bn manufacturing hit

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMTT) is urging the government to get a deal that avoids World Trade Organisation rules (WTO), or risk production losses of £55bn over the next five years. As Brexit talks enter the final stretch, the SMMT made a last call for negotiators to kee... Read more

Brexit politics round-up 27th November

With just 35 (25 working) days until the end of the EU transition period both sides are trying to reach a trade deal, that will soften the blow of departure and avoid a shattering end that neither want. Despite finance minister Rishi Sunak stating that “with a constructive attitude and goodw... Read more

New HMRC border system unworkable

HMRC’s legacy declaration system Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) is over 25 years old and should have been replaced by Customs Declaration System (CDS) in 2019, but CDS is behind schedule and experts say it is unworkable. One of the forwarding sector’s primary softwar... Read more

Brexit politics round-up 19th November

In two days we have gone from the EU insisting the UK needed to remove part of its controversial Internal Market Bill that breach the withdrawal treaty in order to get the trade deal done, to UK business secretary Alok Sharma insisting the EU and UK “have made progress” and that an agreement ... Read more

Brexit politics round-up 12th November

After suffering an expected defeat in the House of Lords on Monday over proposed laws which could breach Britain’s EU exit treaty, the government has affirmed its intention to re-table the contentious plan, that has been explicitly criticised by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden. Despite the Pr... Read more

Logistics association highlight economic cost of No Deal Brexit

Logistics UK, the revamped Freight Transport Association (FTA), has warned that a No-Deal Brexit could have a significant effect on the price of all imported goods and could drive inflation up as a result. “Everyday household items we import will become more expensive under World Trade Organ... Read more

Experts ‘fear’ for critical Brexit systems

While government minister Michael Gove fielded questions on Brexit IT system release dates from a parliamentary committee, name changes and uncertainty about systems preparedness is making the logistics industry nervous. Mr Gove told the Future Relationship with the EU parliamentary select com... Read more

Brexit politics round-up 5th November

The US Presidential race could change Brexit dynamics, with Mr Trump commenting favourably on Britain's decision to leave the EU, while Mr Biden, who has Irish heritage, has indicated he would not favour any action that threatened the Good Friday agreement. As the latest round of EU/UK trade t... Read more

Brexit politics round-up 29th October

While Boris Johnson may be feeling some justification for his recent brinkmanship, with the trade talks apparently moving forward again, he is facing Brexit bill defeat (and possibly US displeasure) at what is likely to be a very pivotal moment. The Prime Minister’s plan to flout internation... Read more