Firms face £1,000 fines if they fail to answer 38 question survey every time they cross the Channel in No Deal Brexit
MINISTERS have enraged the haulage industry with plans to fine British truckers thousands if they fail to comply with No Deal red tape.
Industry sources have told The Sun the Government is considering plans to force haulage firms to fill out 38 questions on the “safety and security” of their load each time they cross the Channel from Calais.
A penalty for failing to comply could hit £1,000 per consignment – each delivery. The Home Office forms would come on top of other pre-clearance customs checks.
Bosses are bound by non-disclosure agreements not to talk about the plans but they spoke to The Sun given the fury across the industry about the proposals – and the uncertainty firms still face.
One said: “I think it’s beyond belief the Government has no comprehension of the impact of the process they want to put in place.
“This is going to have yet more impact in terms of costs and jobs.”
The row comes just days after it emerged just 1 in 12 hauliers had been issued permits by the Department of Transport to ensure they can continue carrying goods into the EU in the event of a No Deal.
Challenged yesterday, the Home Office declined to comment.
HMRC last night would only say: “HMRC have written several times to traders to advise them how to prepare for a no deal and will continue to set out further detail over the coming weeks.”
Separately last night the British Chambers of Commerce warned business had been “hung out to dry” by the lack of any clarity over what will happen in the event of a No Deal.
Most read in politics
The group – which represents 75,000 firms of all sizes and sectors – is demanding answers to twenty questions on everything from what tariffs companies will be operating under to whether travel to and from the EU will be disrupted.
BCC director general Adam Marshall said: “In less than 50 days, UK firms could face the biggest change to their terms of trade in over a generation, without the information and clarity they need to navigate their forward course.
“There is a very real risk that a lack of clear, actionable information from government will leave firms, their people and their communities hung out to dry.”
- GOT a story? Ring The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or email [email protected].