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Whether there is a hard or soft Brexit, businesses trading with the UK will have to become familiar with customs paperwork, according to Lorna Kelly, a manager at BDO Customs and International Trade.
Speaking at the Bord Bia poultry and egg conference, Kelly said customs will become part of day-to-day business but it would not be scary once companies become familiar with it.
She explained that even if there were a free-trade agreement, export declarations and proof of origin forms would still need to be submitted. For the agri food sector there would also be veterinary checks and cross-border checks required. Kelly advised people to start preparing, saying: “We need to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Negotiators can argue right up to the 11th hour but companies require a longer timescale to prepare.”
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