This is Brexit for international logistics – and it is as acute as ever.

The discrepancies to anticipate from the United Kingdom leaving the EU at the end of 2020 were many, but they were as unclear as the view in the midst of London mist. Even before the very end of the year, it was not clear whether the UK and EU can form an agreement. Or whether it is going to be a no-deal Brexit. Now that the Brexit has happened the changes for international logistics are brought to light.

Though any modern freight forwarding company had pin-pointed out all possible problems, below are perhaps the most common issues that logistics companies have to deal with daily.

Customs

The first thing that struck as a negative surprise for most of the companies and residents in the U.K. was that everything you export or import have to be declared in customs. This has already caused huge delays in the supply chain for various reasons, such as:

• scarcity of customs brokers;
• for most a new system that needs to be learned;
• almost overnight exuberant increase of volume in customs formalities.

Many of the shippers in the U.K. had to have literally step-by-step guidance over the phone. To get the information on how to proceed with the customs entry. Which caused a lot of frustration on the part of shippers, importers, and the local transport companies. Who tried to do their best to handle the volume. That’s because of the delay customs clearance causes at the border.

At times like these, we are proud to state that Bullet Express & Logistics has a longstanding partner Mapcargo International Ltd. They support us with their flexibility within the U.K. and far beyond. Their approach is like-minded, 24 hours, we-never-close.

Border-crossing

Free movement – something that was so normal and usual within the EU, had suddenly ceased to exist. The media has reported continuously about the long waiting lines of trucks bound to cross the Channel. At the beginning of January, the new rules came as a surprise for many haulers. So they had to return back from the border.

Though the EU and U.K. are processing border-crossing relatively fast (in comparison for example from Poland to Ukraine). This also causes additional time and disruptions in the planned supply-chain. Especially when you are dealing with time-critical transports, such as hand carry or dedicated vans.

What to Expect in the Coming Months from Brexit?

As with everything in life, people and the players in the market adjust and after a while, it will be normalcy. The supply chains will be adjusted accordingly. And those who can’t or won’t adjust will have to leave the market. Or find other ways to manage the issues.

Bullet Express & Logistics