A lorry driver shows documentation to officials for both customs clearance and coronavirus test results as he arrives at the Eurotunnel on route to France on New Year's Day
Credit: Toby Melville/Reuters
Richard Ballantyne, chief executive of the British Ports trade association, said delays were particularly affecting fish exports.
"A lot of fish is being either turned away, or just not getting through in time," he said, adding certain species were seeing "quite dramatic falls in value" because delays were affecting the quality.
However not all companies are struggling. "We have sent six trucks to Europe so far, without any issues with Covid testing or customs paperwork," said Simon Sheffield, executive chairman of art shipping company Martinspeed, who is well versed in customs paperwork because the firm has long sent trucks in and out of Switzerland.
"There are complaints from companies, who have either not prepared properly or don’t have the knowledge to undertake customs," he said, adding in his view the system was "efficient and working well".
Ballantyne agreed the systems themselves were working. "Just getting used to these new arrangements is going to be a challenge and if you haven’t had to use [customs controls] before, then you’ll definitely take a bit of time get used to them."
The amount of trade flowing between the UK and European Union is still low for this time of year but there are concerns customs problems could intensify as the volume returns to normal levels in coming weeks.
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