More post-Brexit discontent at the border(s). Stephen Phipson, CEO @MakeUK_: “There are customs experts with 30 yrs’ experience who are baffled by what the new regulations mean, let alone small/medium sized biz who have never had to deal with the kind of paperwork required.”

Continued: “the greater fear is that for many it will proved too much and they will simply choose not to export to the EU.”

It’s in Northern Ireland where some of the effects are being felt most acutely, with some UK businesses even suspending sending goods to NI (and the EU).

Stephen Kelly, Chief Exec of Manufacturing NI: “The reason why the UK&EU originally agreed that there would be an implementation period of 11 months was so that people could get their heads around what was needed and assure their biz was compliant. But we didn’t even have that.”

Continued (telling The Observer): “We has 7 days before everyone had to be ready and one of those was Xmas Day. There is a big problem with GB businesses being unaware of their new responsibilities. We have the triple whammy of Covid, Xmas and new customs rules all at once.”

Sunday Times reports that David Wells, Chief Exec of Logistics UK, has written to Michael Gove this weekend, urging him to relax “formalities for vital food supply chains into NI from GB.” Says that many HGVs are being turned away for not having the right paperwork.

“Many in the GB business community doing business with NI did not realise that border-like administration is required.”

Again not exactly surprising, given the exact details were finalised in December (and some are still outstanding)

Do read more here https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ocado-warns-of-shortages-as-brexit-red-tape-tightens-hthg75q3g

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jan/10/baffling-brexit-rules-threaten-export-chaos-gove-is-warned?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/business-55609315

Some online shoppers in the UK now being shown warnings such as that below, suggesting potential delays to deliveries. In some cases, certain companies have withdrawn sales to or from the UK until systems are updated/bedded in.

And another

https://twitter.com/hjbennett_/status/1348420921967702017

This from one exporter I've spoken to who is in dire straits: "My business cannot store masses of stock we just do not have the capital so our purchasing is on an ad hoc basis but 3 of our main suppliers are not even sending to the UK."

"Now we have also found that for two of our main customers in Europe, the cost of sending goods since 1st Jan has trebled and the first 2 consignments we sent are still stuck in customs."

"So we have decided to now try and survive on our UK based contracts but God help us if we have to get equipment from the EU."

Brexit was always going to have significant economic consequences when it actually happened- they're unwinding all over the UK right now.