The Road Haulage Association believes the Government’s announcement about simplified customs checks is not enough to prepare businesses for a no-deal Brexit. 

The warning follows the publication of HMRC’s ‘transitional simplified procedures’ which reduces the amount of information needed on import declarations on goods coming in from the EU.

RHA chief executive, Richard Burnett said: “On face value, this appears to be a positive step, but we reinforce our concerns that the sheer scale of the issue means that there is simply not enough time for businesses to get ready to leave the EU.

“This is just one part of the Brexit jigsaw. The French have still not defined their export process. How on earth can businesses make the necessary arrangements and plan for the future when then are still in the dark as to how the processes on both sides of the Channel will work?

“Despite our constant and incessant calls for clarity, none has been forthcoming and through no fault of its own the haulage and logistics industry is still not ready for a no-deal, no transition Brexit in less than seven weeks’ time.”

Road Haulage Association

About the Author: John Loughran