Uncertainty plagues Britain's post-Brexit border with EU

Repeated delays in implementing full Customs controls driving up costs for businesses and govt

Britain's post-Brexit border with the European Union has been plagued by chronic delays and uncertainty, ramping up costs for businesses and the government, said the nation's spending watchdog on May 20.

Britain left the EU in January 2021 following a standstill transition period, but has yet to complete a full implementation of post-Brexit Customs controls.

"The UK leaving the EU created a large-scale change in arrangements for the movement of goods across the border," said National Audit Office (NAO) head Gareth Davies in a report on the situation.

"However, more than three years after the end of the transition period, it is still not clear when full controls will be in place."

When Britain left the European single market and Customs union on Jan 1, 2021, the EU immediately implemented Customs controls for goods heading from Britain into the bloc.

But the British government has delayed the introduction of Customs checks five times for goods heading into the country, citing delays with infrastructure and technology.