Businesses struggle to prepare for UK’s post-Brexit import controls

Businesses struggle to prepare for UK’s post-Brexit import controls

Maurice Greig might have expected a well-earned break over Christmas, having spent 2021 struggling with the post-Brexit bureaucracy now required to export his tailor-made gentlemen’s accessories to the EU.

But instead the 74-year-old owner of the Greig & Greig Partnership gave up at least part of the festive season in order to pore over UK government technical guidance for new border controls about to be introduced on imports from the EU.

Starting in January, UK importers must complete customs declarations in real time; pre-notify the authorities of incoming animal and plant products; and be able to produce proof that the goods they are importing from the EU qualify for tariff-free access to the UK.

“It will do my head in,” said Greig in the stockroom of his London boutique, which is filled with samples of expensive handmade leather gloves, belts and fancy-handled Italian umbrellas. “but then I’m only a very small business, I don’t have anyone else to help.” 

Business groups have warned that the new import controls, which were delayed by one year in order to keep trade flowing, will put considerable new pressure on small businesses in 2022 as they continue to adjust to trading outside the EU single market.

Greig & Greig