There are not enough trained customs agents in the UK to handle a surge in demand caused by Brexit. This could result in up to 100 million consignments being sent across borders without paperwork or being left waiting in depots to get clearance.
Meanwhile in Northern Ireland HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has told businesses trading across the Irish Sea it will take a "sympathetic" approach to new customs rules in January. Northern Ireland will leave the EU's customs union at the end of the Brexit transition in January.
However, it will enforce EU customs rules at its ports, meaning goods coming from Great Britain will need declarations. HMRC estimates that will involve 11m declarations a year.
The figure of 11m declarations has been questioned - industry sources in Northern Ireland found this figure "very, very low", and the figure put forward by the Trader Support Scheme (TSS) was 30m.
Sounds like there is plenty of scope for mayhem to ensue. Let’s hope that things get ironed out a bit more before then.
