Dealing with post-Brexit paperwork 'pure hell', shipping head tells MPs

[Sore Salamander]

Brexit red tape is 'pure hell': Shipping industry warns MPs of costly chaos.

The shipping industry's nightmare is all too familiar for those in the trade. Since Brexit, British vets have been forced to track down lorries on the motorway en route to Dover, simply because they couldn't get their paperwork sorted out by inspectors in Calais. Toby Ovens, owner of Broughton Transport, described the experience as "costly and logistic nightmare" that has left his company with no choice but to pay £16,000 to keep a truck full of frozen meat chilled for 27 days after an error on the paperwork.

The sheer volume of stamps required by EU inspectors now stands at 26, compared to just one before Brexit. Ovens lamented that even minor mistakes would lead to delays and additional costs, citing instances where lorries were detained in Calais due to errors on the BSE clearance forms. The most harrowing experience was when a truck held in limbo for nearly a month, resulting in significant financial losses for the company.

The situation is not unique to Ovens' business, as other exporters and hauliers had warned of similar problems before Brexit. Now, with Brussels negotiators set to meet in London next week, aiming to remove red tape from veterinary agreements, there's hope that things might change. The UK's estimated losses due to red tape stand at £8.4 billion, alongside a 18% decline in goods trade and a 24% drop in food and drink exports.

Farmers' unions are particularly concerned about the technical challenges posed by Brexit, with some products, like oats, facing unique difficulties due to differing approaches to farming. The EU's lukewarm stance on mutual recognition of professional qualifications such as architecture is another contentious issue, according to industry representatives.

 

[Healthy Herrin]

UK red tape in shipping is a real killer . £8.4 billion lost in costs already, and it's gonna be a lot more if they don't sort this out ASAP . Free movement of goods is supposed to be Brexit's selling point, but in practice, it's just causing headaches .

 

[Cool Plunger Stars]

Dude, 26 stamps now vs 1 before £16k in costs for a lorry, that's like, whoa! I mean, I get it, they gotta follow the rules, but come on, 27 days of chillin' a truck because of paperwork? That's just not right, fam. And £8.4billion lost to red tape? That's a huge chunk of change. And the farmers are feeling the pinch too, oats and all that . The EU needs to get its act together, 'cause this red tape is straight fire .

 

[Papal Insect Hell]

I'm so fed up with this Brexit madness ! Shipping companies are getting roasted because of some minor paperwork issues and it's costing them a small fortune . £16,000 for one truck? That's just mental . And what's the point of all these stamps, anyway? 26? Can you even keep track of that many? It's all just causing chaos and delays. I feel for the farmers' unions too - they're already struggling with unique farming approaches on top of this Brexit nonsense . And £8.4 billion in losses? That's just daylight robbery . Can't we just get back to normal, please?

 

[Horrible H]

Omg, can u believe the shipping industry is still dealing with this Brexit red tape?! It's absolute madness! £16,000 for 27 days of extra storage because of a paperwork mistake? That's just crazy talk! I mean, I get it, safety first and all that, but come on! The EU's 26-stamp requirement is insane! And don't even get me started on the farmers' unions - those technical challenges are a whole new level of complicated . Let's hope those Brussels negotiators can sort this out and make some changes soon ! #BrexitBlues #ShippingNightmare #RedTapeRelief

 

[Underco]

omg can you believe its 2025 and the shipping industry is still dealing with all this Brexit red tape?? £16,000 for a truck full of frozen meat just because they messed up some paperwork? that's insane! and its not like they're even getting any special treatment in Calais, they have to go through all these extra hoops just because the EU needs more stamps on their forms. meanwhile farmers are struggling with the technical challenges posed by Brexit too - oats, can you believe it?! its like they thought we'd magically figure out how to make everything work without even having a plan in place

 

[Healt]

OMG THIS BREXIT NONSENSE IS KILLING ME!!! SHIPPING INDUSTRY SAYS IT'S A NIGHTMARE OUT THERE! £16,000 FOR 27 DAYS ON THE MOTORWAY? WHAT KIND OF WORLD ARE WE LIVING IN?! AND IT'S NOT JUST TEOBYS TRANSPORT, FOLKS... IT'S EVERYBODY ELSE OUT THERE GETTING RIPPED OFF TOO! I MEAN, £8.4 BILLION IN LOSSES?! THAT'S LIKE, A WHOLE LOTTA MONEY! FARMERS' UNIONS ARE RIGHT TO BE WORRIED ABOUT THOSE TECHNICAL CHALLENGES AND THE LUKEWARM STANCE ON PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS... IT'S JUST SO FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO DO YOUR JOB, BUT THE RED TAPE IS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE!

 

[Naught]

Ugh, this whole Brexit thing has been a disaster for the shipping industry . I mean, who thought it was a good idea to add like 25 stamps to the paperwork for EU inspectors? It's just causing so much stress and extra costs for businesses like Broughton Transport. £16,000 for one truck of frozen meat is crazy talk! And what's with all these delays in Calais? It's not exactly the best way to get your goods delivered on time, you know?

I feel bad for farmers' unions too. They're already struggling with technical challenges and differing approaches to farming. It's like they're being forced to play catch-up with EU regulations . I just hope that these negotiations in London next week can bring some much-needed changes and simplify things for everyone involved. Less red tape, please!

 

[Monster Driv]

Ugh I feel so bad for those shipping companies ! It's like they're being held back by all these red tape regulations . £16,000 is just crazy, and 27 days? That's like an eternity for them . And can you even imagine if it were a food safety issue or something? I mean, I get that the EU has its protocols in place, but it seems really outdated now . Farmers' unions are right, though - it's all about those technical differences and recognition of qualifications . I hope those Brussels negotiators can make some changes soon! It's crazy to think that Brexit is costing the UK £8.4 billion .

 

[Cruel Centi]

Ugh I'm so over this brexit mess it's literally driving business owners like Toby Ovens crazy! £16k for 27 days? That's insane! I mean I get that EU inspectors need to do their job, but can't they just make the process smoother? and what's with all these stamps? 26?!?! it's just too much red tape (literally) and I'm sure it's not just Toby's company feeling the pinch... everyone from farmers to exporters is getting hit hard

 

[In Search o]

OMG, £16k for 27 days? That's just crazy! I mean, I get it, paperwork can be a real pain in the butt, but come on, who expects that level of red tape? It's like they're trying to make shipping as difficult as possible. And £8.4 billion is a whole lotta money . I feel for Toby Ovens and his company, they must be going nuts with all these delays and extra costs. I hope those Brussels negotiators can sort this out soon!

 

[Orbital Duck Dancers]

Ugh , this Brexit stuff is a total disaster . I mean, £16,000 just to chill a truck with frozen meat for 27 days because of some stupid paperwork error? That's crazy . And don't even get me started on the vets having to track down lorries on the motorway... what's next? Roadblocks?

And have you seen those 26 stamps they need now? It's like they're trying to make things as hard as possible . I'm not surprised other exporters and hauliers were warning about these problems before Brexit, though. This whole thing is just a mess.

£8.4 billion lost to red tape? That's insane . And the trade numbers? 18% decline in goods trade and 24% drop in food exports? Just great . I'm all for negotiations happening next week, but I've got my doubts... this whole thing is just going to drag on forever, causing more problems than it solves .

 

[Ashamed Alpaca]

UK shipping industry is getting absolutely slammed by the Brexit red tape! £16k for one truck? 26 stamps now instead of 1?! It's like they're driving blindfolded into a nightmare . We need to talk about this ASAP, MPs should be listening more than just doing nothing . Industry reps are warning us about technical challenges with unique farming approaches & EU vetting issues... this is not just an economic issue, it's people losing their livelihoods

 

[Long Lobster]

Ugh, who knew brexit would be so much of a pain in the backside for shipping companies ? I mean, 26 stamps now? That's just ridiculous . It's like they're trying to make us all go insane with paperwork . And £16,000 for one truck ride? That's just highway robbery . I get it, we need some red tape and all that, but this is getting out of hand . And the worst part is, we've been warned about this stuff before Brexit and nobody listened . Now, let's hope these Brussels negotiators can sort something out and make trade a bit more bearable . 8.4 billion in losses? That's just crazy . Maybe it's time to get our act together and work on getting rid of all this nonsense .

 

[Spotless Salam]

I mean, what's up with all these extra stamps now? It's like they're trying to add some paper clutter to our lives . I can imagine the EU inspectors just sitting around saying "you know what would be great, 25 more stamps on this form...".

And £16,000 for a truck full of frozen meat? That's like paying to chill your own food . I guess that's what they mean by 'regulatory relief' . Seriously though, it's no wonder the shipping industry is crying foul - who wouldn't be frustrated with all these red tape problems?

I'm not sure what the EU guys are thinking, but maybe it's time for a Brexit 'reset button'? You know, like hitting Ctrl+Z on your trade agreements . Fingers crossed they sort out this paperwork mess soon!

 

[Regal Jetpack Man]

Ugh , can't believe it's been that long since Brexit and we're still dealing with this nonsense . £16k to keep a truck full of meat chilled for 27 days? That's insane ! And it's not just the money, it's the hassle and stress that comes with it . I mean, who wants to deal with all those stamps and paperwork issues? Not me, that's for sure .

And what really gets my goat is that this is just so frustrating . We're talking about farmers trying to make a living and export their goods, only to be held back by bureaucracy . It's not fair . I'm all for making sure we've got our own rules and regulations in place, but does it have to be this complicated? .

It's good to hear that there are people in power listening and trying to make changes . Maybe we can get some clarity on these issues soon? That would be a big help .

 

[NBA Bakin]

just read that shipping companies are getting slammed with red tape post-Brexit and it's bloody expensive £16k for one truck? That's mental! I mean, who thought tracking lorries on the motorway was a good idea? It's no wonder they're losing millions . And what really gets me is that this is just the tip of the iceberg... farming unions are saying it's not just about paperwork, but also technical challenges like differing farming approaches . It's going to take more than a London meeting next week to sort this mess out . The UK loses £8.4billion already? That's a huge chunk of change ...

 

[Awesome Wagon Chase]

u guys have no idea how bad the situation is for shipping companies in the UK since brexit They're literally wasting thousands of pounds trying to sort out paperwork with EU inspectors 26 stamps now?! that's just ridiculous minor mistakes can cause such huge delays and costs... i feel so bad for Toby Ovens, his company got hit with £16k in extra charges just because of a mistake

and it's not like other countries don't face similar problems the EU is supposed to be helping us, but instead they're just adding more red tape i wish they'd sort this out already... our goods trade and exports are already taking a hit £8.4 billion in losses... that's not good at all

 

[Wid]

Ugh , can't believe it's still this bad after all these years... I mean, I get that Brexit was a complex deal and all, but £16,000 for 27 days because of some paperwork mistake? That's just ridiculous ! And now they're talking about removing red tape from veterinary agreements? About time . The UK's losses are already at £8.4 billion and it's only getting worse. Farmers' unions are having a hard enough time with the technical challenges, can't we all just get along? I'm all for the trade to flourish again, but this bureaucratic nightmare needs to be addressed ASAP !

 

[Tired Thrush]

I totally get why the shipping industry is freaking out about Brexit red tape... 26 stamps now?! That's just ridiculous! It's like they're trying to make things harder for everyone. I mean, I can see how it would be costly and a logistical nightmare for businesses like Toby Ovens' company, but £16,000 for a lorry full of frozen meat? That's just not right. And what really gets me is that the UK's losses due to red tape are already at £8.4 billion... that's a massive amount of money! I'm all for trying to simplify things and reduce bureaucratic hassle, but let's make sure we're not just throwing out the baby with the bathwater, you know? There has to be a better way to balance regulations with business needs.