UK government is procuring a £200 mill system to handle customs declarations for Northern Irish importers
The service will complete (some) paperwork for NI businesses from January, effectively picking up the bill
Gove/Lewis in NI on Friday to launch it businessinsider.com/brexit-boris-j…
The firm chosen to deliver the Trader Support Service will carry out customs/safety & security declarations for thousands of NI importers from 2021
Government is also spending £155 million on IT systems underpinning the new service
It does not cover SPS businessinsider.com/brexit-boris-j…
Northern Irish business groups welcome the announcement but stress that there's still lots to do
@MichaelAodhan, @FSB_NI, @ManufacturingNI all raise SPS, export health certificates, VAT, etc
They won't get the full border operating model until the autumn businessinsider.com/brexit-boris-j…
Labour's Shadow NI Sec @LouHaigh says gov has left vital prep "to the last minute" and that "big questions remain unanswered"
Alliance's @StephenFarryMP is worried that the procurement might be rushed, describing the timeframe as "unrealistically tight" businessinsider.com/brexit-boris-j…
Gov officials say they're also looking at support for traders facing stringent checks on animal & plant goods
Groups have warned that sending mixed consignments across the Irish Sea will cost thousands of pounds
A single Export Health certificate is £200
businessinsider.com/brexit-boris-j…
Logistics UK's @Freight_NI says the Trader Support Service is a "vital lifeline"
However, he warns there's little time to test and implement it leading up to Xmas
The IOD's @AllieRenison welcomes the system but says how it'll actually work is "blurry" and clarity is needed
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