More time for industry in UK
The British International Freight Association (Bifa) does not overestimate the extension of the border operating model deadlines in UK till the year 2022.
"It’s no surprise that the government has extended the deadline for the introduction of checks and customs declarations on imports to the UK from the EU,” says Robert Keen, director general of Bifa.
“The experience of our members since 1 January 2021 has clearly shown that large sectors of the trading community have not been prepared for the changes in processes brought in by phase one of the border operating model. We have expressed significant concerns regarding phases two and three; and various government departments have been unable to provide satisfactory answers to many of these." For January, British statistics recently confirmed a 40% downturn in UK exports to EU states. (sh)