London, UK: Hauliers exporting goods to the European Union faced new obstacles in the first days of January from a glitch in the UK’s digital customs system and new language demands from French authorities.
Drivers were unable to enter details of shipments in the government’s Goods Vehicle Management System because it did not recognise the change in year to ‘2023’ while hauliers exporting canned foods to the EU via France faced new demands that paperwork be presented in French.
Shane Brennan, chief executive, Cold Chain Federation, told Sky News, which reported the new problems, the changes to rules will undermine exporter confidence. “Two years past Brexit and we now live with the reality that the way the rules are interpreted can change from one day to the next,” he said.
“It leaves us with an ongoing unease that undermines confidence and prevents businesses from seeking out new customers, making investments, or settling into new long term business structures.”
