We are looking at the impact of Brexit on businesses - affected to a greater or lesser extent - both in the UK & in the EU. The purpose is to share individual experiences with anyone who is interested, similarly affected and/or wants to share their own story on here. 1/

If you have been affected by similar issues or have any helpful suggestions, please feel free to contribute. If anyone needs help navigating any difficulties as a result of Brexit – do get in touch! We look forward to hearing from you! Please read on...2/

Business: British owned shop in Germany selling the popular authentic British tea experience
Situation: bulk of business is selling tea imported from Asia. All customs procedures & logistics have been in place for years so not affected by Brexit. 3/ #authenticBritishteaexperience

In preparation for Brexit owners stocked up on UK-produced goods in 2020, mainly British tea ware. 6 weeks into Brexit & well into a pandemic with non-food retail outlets in Germany closed, they are working flat out, as their shop is considered a food retailer. 4/

Potential problems: so far, so good, as their business has not been impacted negatively by Brexit - the business is not reliant on goods from the UK on a JIT basis. However, as none of the British tea ware brands they stock have outlets in the EU, 5/ #GermanBritishTrading

...they fear that they will no longer be able to offer the traditional British china tea pots, mugs etc once their stocks run out. In the current circumstances they would not consider ordering UK based brands going forward, as the cost involved since 1 Jan 21 is much higher, 6/

...with increased transport costs, extra customs fees & delays as a result of customs checks that goods between UK & EU now face on a daily basis.

Outlook: although there is no direct threat to the existence of the business itself as a result of Brexit, ... 7/

....at some point it may no longer be able to offer the traditional British goods that make the business stand out in Germany. 8/ #postbrexitbusiness #EUbusinesswithUK #UKbusinesswithEU

The owners are waiting to see how EU/UK trade develops over the coming months, but when their British-produced stock runs out, they may need to consider adapting their concept of selling the much loved traditional British tea experience to anglophile Germans. End/ #Germany #UK