A Sudden Surge: The First Days After Brexit
"We did not know what to expect, so we were super overstaffed," recalls Erica. "As it turned out, a lot of companies had bought in surplus stock to give them some extra buffer before they would need to worry about customs. We had a lot of new business interest at the time which we declined because we did not want to overextend ourselves early on—we needed to ensure the workload was sustainable for the team."
For others, the transition was a more dramatic shift. "It was chaos, to put it simply," says Klaudia. "Overnight, companies that had been moving goods freely across borders suddenly needed full customs declarations. Many businesses were unprepared, the customs systems were overwhelmed, and there was widespread confusion."
Yet, despite the uncertainty, some companies were better positioned to weather the storm. "The transition period had given some businesses time to prepare," explains Christelle. "Some companies sought out customs brokers ahead of time to mitigate risks and focus on their core business. Others were caught off guard, leading to confusion with paperwork and regulations."
Frank adds, "Although the first quarter of 2021 was a challenge, it is a testament to our amazing team and all of our colleagues in the industry, that we kept freight moving. When we live on an island and import the quantities of food that we do in Ireland, the seamless movements of goods is imperative."
Unforeseen Challenges and Compliance Nightmares
Among the many unexpected hurdles, handwritten customs information caused significant delays. "Some customers would provide handwritten information and scan it over to us," says Erica. "The handwriting was not always the best, so this slowed things down because we were trying to decipher information."
For Craig, one of the biggest surprises was understanding how the Trade and Cooperation Agreement affected duties. "It was quite shocking to learn that EU goods coming from the UK now had to be charged duty, because they were coming from a third country. Whereas in reverse, GB goods coming from the EU were also to be charged duty. Many traders assumed trade would continue as it did when the UK was part of the EU single market."
Klaudia encountered similar misunderstandings when it came to classification. "Many companies struggled with the rules of origin and how to classify their goods. They would often assume that their goods qualified for 0% duty or no additional controls. For example, in food clearances, oregano was often classified as a 'mixed herb' rather than the actual HS code for oregano. If this product came from Turkey, it needed additional HSE controls."
Moments of Relief: What Worked Smoother Than Expected?
Despite the chaos, there were some silver linings. "The transition was definitely smoother than I anticipated because we spent months training for it," says Klaudia.
Eoghan agrees. "Delegation of clearances was pretty smooth. I thought there would be a lot more duplicates or issues with people processing the same shipments accidentally, but this was rarely the case."
For Christelle, training and preparation played a significant role. "We had received training from Frank and other customs experts in areas we were unsure about. Although we got most of the compliance issues on lock, we are always learning and seeking guidance through many channels."
Client Reactions: Confusion, Frustration, and Some Readiness
"There was a bit of resistance from some customers," recalls Erica. "They would push back on why we needed information and claim that a different broker didn't require it. We stuck to our guns and had to keep reiterating that compliance was key for us."
Klaudia notes that smaller traders were particularly caught off guard. "Many businesses had no prior experience with customs procedures and were overwhelmed by the time and cost involved. Some large companies were well-prepared, but smaller traders often found themselves completely lost."
Lessons from Brexit That Still Apply Today
"Change is inevitable. You can't passively wait, you need to be proactive and prepare regardless. Expecting postponement is not a strategy—at least it shouldn't be," says Erica.
Craig echoes this sentiment. "Be prepared for change. Customs is ever-changing. Every year, conditions, commodity codes, and duty rates can change, as well as in response to world events that impact trade, like the Ukraine conflict."
The Road Ahead: Is Brexit Adjustment Complete?
"Brexit was a shock to everyone. No one really predicted that the UK would leave the EU back in 2016, even the politicians leading the campaigns were yet to come up with a plan," says Craig. "It's not every day that a country decides to leave one of the biggest trading blocs on the planet."
Some progress has been made. "I think Irish businesses have primarily adjusted," says Eoghan. "Not sure about businesses in the UK."
However, the road ahead is still uncertain. "There is still a way to go, especially for industries like agriculture and food. They continue to struggle with changes to regulations," says Klaudia.
Frank weighs in: "Frankly, I don’t believe Customs agents have received any acknowledgement for the critical role we have played over the past four years, without being flippant."
Final Advice for Businesses Struggling with Compliance
"Know your product," says Craig. "Know where it comes from, how much it costs, how much it weighs, what’s in it, etc. It might sound simplistic, but it really makes a difference when it comes to ensuring that your goods can transit the border with minimal friction or delay."
Eoghan’s advice is even more straightforward: "Talk to Frank!"
As Brexit continues to shape trade and regulatory landscapes, one thing is clear: preparation, adaptability, and expert guidance are key to navigating the complexities of customs compliance. Businesses that take these lessons to heart will be best positioned to thrive in a post-Brexit world.
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