Thread by @vivamjm

Without wishing to labour basic point once again too much. When I joined the Freight Forwarding/Customs industry in 1985 supply of ports/infrastructure/tech support (telex & then fax 🙄)/*experience* roughly met demand. As an older guy neared retirement we'd look to find a newbie

to train up surrounded by a tiered level of experienced staff to supervise. The introduction of the Single Market on top of an improving admin streamlined expanding Customs Union meant as the older generations dissipated away there was no longer the need to find so many newbies

The loss of a need for customs clearances; painstakingly looking to qualify under rules of origin with a cert of origin; having to certify standards of produce to ship meant the volumes of trade multiplied exponentially esp in the 2000s. It had become progressively easier for any

relative numpty to set up a buying/selling (no longer an import/export) business with easy opportunities inc working cross borders/exhibiting on the continent.

Then came brexit and the decision to leave the Single Market after 28 years AND the Customs Union after 48 years.

meaning major very costly (prosecutions) mistakes & thus major ongoing staff turnover

OR
2/ do very little or none of the above ..

in which case supply would *not* now meet same demand ..and there would be a massive sudden contraction of trade

causing a massive painful upheaval & a sudden implosive contraction in the economy.

UK Gov has not chosen option "1/"

Go figure....

UK now a non SM&CU country...alongside Ukraine, Serbia, but closer yet still to Belarus, Russia (countries not looking to be converged on standards.).
UK can look forward to their similar levels of EU trade

Regarding above thread: wasn't expecting UK wouldn't implement its side of its TCA..meaning "Belarus, Russia similar levels of trade" would be on GB *exports* only.
Hard to comprehend a Gov policy that harms its own businesses/exporters even more so when in favour of the other's