Policy & Compliance
HMRC research on border checks has revealed that many intermediaries and agents fi nd current processes challenging due to inconsistent implementation, poor communication and system limitations Border crossing insights from the trade community
or hauliers were unfamiliar with UK procedures. Poor communication between parties meant errors could not always be identified and corrected efficiently, leading to additional storage, demurrage or transportation charges. Another major factor is related to the government systems, in terms of notifying traders about issues. When the notifications were received, they often lacked clear details about the Overall, trade acknowledges that border checks are a necessary part of maintaining the UK’s regulatory standards post-Brexit. However, the research highlights that many intermediaries and agents find the current processes challenging due to inconsistent implementation, poor communication and system limitations. Despite these obstacles, intermediaries have demonstrated resilience and adaptability, leveraging their knowledge and system access to navigate complexities, which indicates their key role and importance in keeping goods moving. BIFA will continue working with the relevant authorities developing clearer guidance, improved government systems, and better coordination to reduce friction and support smoother border operations going forward. The full report is available at: problem, leaving traders and intermediaries unsure how to resolve the hold. Challenging processes www.gov.uk/government/publicatio ns/research-exploring-the-impact- of-border-checks/research-explori ng-the-impact-of-border-checks
F ollowing the UK’s departure from the EU, the government has assessed the impact of the new border crossing requirements introduced under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). HMRC has recently published a qualitative research paper exploring the operational effects of border checks. The research reviews the findings from the perspective of traders, customs agents, freight forwarders and intermediaries, highlighting not only the pressures faced by the sector, but also the expertise and resilience available to keep the goods moving. Participating providers The sample consisted of a broad mix of logistics service providers operating across a range of supply chains and modes including air, sea and road, and moving a variety of goods such as foodstuffs, chemicals, electronics and even live animals. Most participants had experience of moving goods through key ports such as Dover, Felixstowe and Heathrow, providing a practical view of how the new requirements under the BTOM are being implemented in real time. However, while many
intermediaries were already familiar with moving goods from the rest of the world, the introduction of new requirements for EU movements under the BTOM presented new challenges and took time to fully understand and integrate into established processes. The main sources of problems that led to checks were a combination of documentation, compliance and coordination issues across the supply chain. Many of these issues could be prevented with better trade education, closer coordination with government authorities and timely access to complete and accurate paperwork. However, as the research suggests, even the most experienced agents intervened late in the process, sometimes after the goods had already moved. While many issues leading to border checks were preventable, resolving them once triggered was often complex and time-consuming. Intermediaries and customs agents found themselves at the centre of this process and often left their customers out of the process to avoid reputational damage. Intermediaries often lacked full visibility over the supply chain, especially where EU-based suppliers
“ BIFA will continue working with the relevant authorities developing clearer guidance, improved government systems, and better coordination to reduce friction and support smoother border operations
July 2025 | 15
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