Food disruptions feared in UK as new Brexit rules kick in

New post-Brexit custom rules for goods arriving from the European Union to Britain are taking effect on Saturday. Beginning on January 1, importers must make a full customs declaration on goods entering the UK from the EU or other countries.

Businesses will no longer be allowed to delay completing full import customs declarations for up to 175 days - a measure that was introduced to cope with the disruption of Brexit. The new measures require businesses to complete the correct paperwork at least four hours before goods can arrive at UK borders, or they risk being turned back at the border.

Animal and plant-based products must also have statements of origin certificates. While drivers must declare their goods and origin certificates, checks are expected to be minimal until the rules ramp up beginning in July 2022, when much stricter checks are expected to come into force.

Northern Ireland and Ireland are exempt from the changes as political leaders continue negotiating the Northern Ireland protocol.