Two months after the final Brexit, the situation is more serious than ever. Companies are complaining about the high level of paperwork and increased costs, while the traffic jam at the borders between Europe and the UK is getting longer and longer. Trading partners justifiably wonder whether the effort is still worth it at all.

Small businesses and medium-sized companies are particularly affected by this. In many cases, they are being confronted with customs exports and imports for the first time. So it is hardly surprising that many small shipments fail simply because of the formalities. 

eDOC AS reports from the field

We are increasingly receiving inquiries from annoyed small and medium-sized businesses on the subject of Brexit. The direction of trade doesn't matter - for most of them, "The old familiar business doesn't work anymore with Brexit."

Shipping consignment from Germany to England

To ship an industrial manufacturing plant to England used to require a simple intrastate declaration, reports one disgruntled customer. Today, a customs tariff number is required. 

In order to classify the manufacturing plant in the customs tariff, there is a lack of expertise and time. In the process, the small business owner is liable himself.

Food from Germany to Great Britain

If you want to buy food across borders, you have to take the different health regulations into account, be aware of the origins of the individual food items and, if possible, identify two customs tariff numbers at the same time: one for exporting from Germany, and one for importing into the UK.

Too bad, says one customer. This means that the small restaurant chain with German cuisine is no longer profitable. The whole concept has to be realigned.

Goods with a value of over 6000 € from Germany to England

It is true that the zero tariff applies to goods with a proven origin from the EU when imported into the UK. However, this does not protect against further costs. 
Anyone wishing to export goods with a value of over €6,000 to the UK must, since Brexit, be listed as a "registered exporter" in the main customs office at home. Anyone who disregards or simply overlooks this regulation will pay penalties