The tariffs for imports from the EU have risen sharply. The costs are a consequence of Brexit and are weighing on the UK economy.
(Photo: Reuters)
London According to an analysis, British tariffs on imports from the EU have risen significantly since Brexit. British businesses and consumers would have paid around 2.2 billion pounds in customs duties between January and July 2021, an increase of 42 percent compared to the same period last year. This emerges from an evaluation of government data that the accounting firm UHY Hacker Young published on Monday.
According to the information, the higher costs mean a further burden on the British economy, which has already been hit by the consequences of the pandemic and a shortage of skilled workers, which was triggered by stricter entry rules after Brexit.
In view of the significantly higher bureaucracy, import has also become more complicated and time-consuming. “British companies have not been given enough time or help to prepare for the cost of Brexit or the tons of paperwork,” said UHY expert Michelle Dale.
The main reason for the significantly higher customs fees are therefore the so-called “rules of origin”. This means that tariffs will be charged on goods originating in the EU that were originally manufactured outside the Community or have components manufactured outside the Community.
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According to the analysis, there will be further problems with trade with the EU from October onwards, because a new import ban on various foods such as chilled minced meat will then take effect. The auditors warned that the result could be long queues at the borders.
More: The Brexit effect can no longer be denied: the exit from the EU is slowing the British upswing
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