The rules for trade with the EU have changed.
We knew this would happen a year ago - even if the detail requirements were available far too late and seem to have some problems embedded. The latter can be fixed over the next few months if required.
However we have imported and exported goods to all other parts of the world fairly seamlessly for decades. We made sure we got the paperwork and processes right.
Expecting customs officials to simply use a bit of judgement and let small deficiencies slip through is naive. The sooner importers and exporters are properly compliant with the rules, the sooner any problems will disappear.
In any event any change (Brexit or others) will force businesses to evolve accordingly.
If trade in small value goods (say <£250) is inhibited by the new customs rules it will ecourage change to distribution networks, locus of manufacturing, etc. Changes will emerge over the next year, not immediately, and should present opportunities as well as threats.
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