Van den Bosch issues information on Brexit and potential consequences

Europe is preparing for Brexit. Whilst negotiations on the future commercial relations with the UK are still ongoing, business and industry are preparing for potential scenarios, as is Van den Bosch Transporten. “We would like to give you an update on the current situation and the potential consequences for the trade relationship with the UK, together with five tips on being well prepared for the impending Brexit,” said the company. Van den Bosch has issued information on Brexit.

Commercial relations with the UK

Maintaining good commercial relations with the UK is of great importance to the transport and logistics industries. As was indicated by the Dutch employers’ organisation for transport companies (TLN) on its stance on Brexit earlier, the UK is ranking third place for Dutch export and the Netherlands is ranking fourth place for export from the UK. TLN is especially concerned on the customs situation in the UK. Experts are warning for hours long waits in the ports, which will increase costs and decrease efficiency. Any decreasing business with the UK will also affect domestic transport in the countries business is done with.

Transition period and potential scenarios

What Brexit will look like in the end is still unclear. Will it be a ‘hard Brexit’, a ‘smooth Brexit’ or a combination of both? Whichever scenario it will be, depends on the EU-UK negotiation process which is still ongoing. The parties reached an agreement on the transition period late March 2018. The UK will leave the EU as of March 29, 2019, with a provisional transition period ending on December 31, 2020, on the condition that the parties reach an agreement on the exit in 2018. Without an agreement, there will be no transition period either. If that is the case, the (higher) WTO trade tariffs will apply as of 29 March 2019 and there will be customs checks at the border.

Theo van Helvoort appointed as Brexit specialist

Though much is still unclear on Brexit, its consequences will be inevitable. To prepare Van den Bosch organisation for Brexit, Theo van Helvoort was appointed as Brexit specialist. Theo has knowledge of and experience with both logistic processes and financial matters, making him the right man for the job of getting into the details of potential scenarios and preparing the organisation and its partners for Brexit.

Brexit proof in five steps

The website Beurtvaartadres offers five practical tips to be well prepared. Van den Bosch has summarised them below:

1. EORI number: Apply for an EORI number immediately to avoid ending up at the back of the queue. Every company in the EU doing business with a country outside the EU requires this identification number.
2. Licences and certificates: Get information on the required licences and certificates in the near future. Strict import regulations may apply for some products.
3. Outsourcing or not? If this is the first time you will be dealing with customs formalities, you have to decide whether you will do it yourself or whether outsourcing will be worthwhile.
4. Applications: Licences may have to be applied for, due to Brexit, in which case you will need a special application. Check the available options and take timely action.
5. Waiting times because of customs checks at the border: Bear in mind that shipment times will increase because of customs checks at the border.

For more information visit: www.vandenbosch.com

30th October 2018