It's been just over a week since the UK left the EU customs union and single market. British companies have been required to fill out customs forms to export goods to European countries which has created lots of new red tape.
While the UK government has warned of disruption to trade, some businesses have not been able to fully prepare for the new trading environment.
The Road Haulage Association has estimated that there are only 2,000 lorries a day making the Dover-Calais ferry/Channel Tunnel crossing compared with a normal daily figure of between 5,000-6,000.
Business leaders have described "significant problems" encountered on the Irish Sea trade border. Six lorries on the first ferry arriving in Belfast on 1 January were delayed because of incomplete paperwork.
The Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove says "significant additional disruption" is expected at the border in the coming weeks, particularly on the Dover-Calais route.
There has been confusion about customs declarations on parcels going from GB to NI, with some retailers, such as John Lewis, suspending deliveries.
Goods going from GB to NI - which are deemed to be at risk of ending up in the Republic of Ireland - may have to pay a tariff. And either way, a customs declaration may be needed to say what the final destination is.
Scottish seafood exporters say their shipments to the EU are being held up by red tape in both Scotland and France. Delays in France were due to the need to check entire trailers rather than just samples. Delays in Scotland are due to the time it takes vets to sign off each consignment. Perishable seafood could go to waste if it is stuck in transit.
If you would like advice regarding the changes to importing and/or exporting to/from the EU/NI, please contact us at Tudor International Freight, on 0333 1234 747 or email sales@tudorfreight.com.
About Us - Tudor International Freight
Established in Horsforth, Leeds, back in 1991, we are a logistics company who are experts in road, air and sea freight. We transport goods to most major cities, towns and suburbs across all 6 continents. We go over and above to ensure that our client’s products, goods and cargo are transported around the world safely and successfully. We are a family business, who are still based in Horsforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire.