Scottish exports impounded for using correct EU documents

Businesses are reporting that exported goods have been impounded by customs officials that have assumed that the documentation is no longer valid because the UK has 'left' the EU.

According to official correspondence, the UK government did not deem necessary legally binding, written confirmation by third countries that the UK continues to be covered by EU trade arrangements after 31st January 2020. The government was satisfied that an information sharing project would do the trick to keep trade running smoothly. Clearly information hasn't trickled down from the various Ministries of Trade around the world to the customs officials at entry points. Could this have been prevented with a requirement that countries formally respond to the UK confirming arrangements? An important lesson here is that you can never over prepare people - especially on critical issues like customs declaration forms. Any compliance related communication that the UK government can encourage from other countries is helpful to secure UK trade, even if not required by international law.

Leaving the EU is already costing businesses as they are being charged for the storage of their goods at customs and fresh produce consignments may even be rejected if they reach the client stale. It is also costly in terms of reputation. UK is not the trusted brand that it used to be because of the continued uncertainty surrounding Brexit. In order to secure supply chains, importers may take their business elsewhere. And we haven't even left yet. Well, I mean we have kind of left. In a political way. But not an economic one. For the next year or two.