The UK government has published its assessment of border “difficulties” when the present transition period ends 31 December 2020. From that date, without the agreement of a future trading deal, and this is looking increasingly unlikely, the possibility of chaos at the ports is now an almost certainty.

According to the report, 40% to 70% of trucks travelling to EU destinations will not have the required paperwork in place. These percentages reduce slightly if traffic is travelling from short Channel crossing ports, estimates reduce to 30% to 50%.

Unbelievably, this could lead to 7,000 or more stranded trucks in Kent and delays for drivers of up to two days.

The report goes on to say:

“Disruption could be lower in the initial days of January, but we would expect sustained disruption to worsen over the first two weeks as freight demand builds. There could be a significant drop in disruption and improvement in flow capacity within the first three months as fewer unready HGVs arrive at the border, although Schengen passport controls at the juxtaposed controls could continue to cause disruption until the French relax checks or add more capacity to undertake checks.”

Advisers may want to ensure that their haulage clients making regular trips to the EU are advised of changes in paperwork required and are prepared for the coming delays.

Source: New feed