If Britain’s retail businesses are to protect their trading links with customers across Europe and beyond from the end of the year, it is vital that they prepare as fully as possible for the post-Brexit trading environment, according the largest business group in the logistics sector.
As Alex Veitch, General Manager of Public Policy at Logistics UK, comments, those moving goods can only do so much to prepare for the conditions: “EU Exit is not just the domain of logistics businesses moving goods internationally – companies from across multiple industries, including retailers and manufacturers, must evaluate how the new trading environment post-Brexit will impact their operations and take steps to prepare. Those whose goods and services are being moved by logistics operators have a responsibility to ensure they are Brexit-ready and must not leave everything to the last minute.
“Although the final shape of the EU-UK trade agreement is yet to be finalised, there is still so much industry can do now to help to ensure a smooth transition, and these preparations are not reliant upon a trade deal being reached. A brand-new set of border readiness processes and systems will need to work effectively from 1 January 2021 if disruption to the flow of goods across borders is to be avoided, many of which must be completed before any part of the supply chain starts to move.”
“Without the correct paperwork and declarations being made, there is a risk of significant delays and potential fines which would be applied to the individual drivers themselves. Logistics UK is here to help, and is urging businesses from the retail sector that trade with the EU to start preparing now, or risk fracturing supply chains and encountering lengthy delays.
“Among the assistance we can provide, Logistics UK has information available on our online Brexit advice centre, in addition to a wealth of government resources available at www.gov.uk/transition.”
For more information on Logistics UK’s work to support businesses through the transition, including how to access our online Brexit resources, please visit logistics.org.uk/logisticsuk-brexit-advice
Logistics UK (formerly FTA) is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.
