“With April 30 fast approaching this is another hammer blow to the work being done to get the news out about [new border checks], adding more confusion to the message,” Marco Forgione, director general of the Institute of Export & International Trade said.
He warned that the charges would hit small and medium-sized businesses hardest.
“While larger businesses have the capacity to absorb this cost it will be small businesses that will feel the full force of these charges,” he said. “Up to an additional £145.00 per consignment might mean entire profit wiped out completely.”
This could “ultimately make the U.K. a less attractive nation to trade with for smaller businesses in the EU,” he added.
A ‘disappointing shift in approach’
While the U.K. does not levy tariffs on EU goods, the flat “common user charge” is meant to pay for the cost of veterinary and health inspections on animal and plant products.
The fees will be set at £29 per consignment for medium and high-risk products of both animal or plant origin. Animal products classed as low-risk will be charged £10, while low-risk plant products will be assessed at no charge. Products in transit through the U.K. will pay £10 per consignment.