Businesses will save £400m a year from reduced red tape under plans for a “world class” digital border with the EU unveiled by ministers.
The Government has published its blueprint for bringing in post-Brexit checks on goods arriving from the continent after two years of delays.
Downing Street said the new scheme will “significantly” cut bureaucracy for firms, but admitted it won’t be fully operational until next October.
Brussels introduced full checks on British exports the day after Brexit, but the UK did not reciprocate over fears of long delays at ports like Dover.
Ministers intended to bring in border controls last July but scrapped the plans after industry warnings that they would worsen the cost-of-living crisis. Officials went back to the drawing board and came up with a new blueprint which will see the amount of red tape slashed and largely moved online.
“We believe the Border Target Operating Model represents one of the most intelligent and data-driven border models in the world,” the Government said.
“Compared to the original import model that would have been introduced in 2022, we believe this new model will reduce costs to businesses by around £400m per annum by reducing the complexity and volume of paperwork associated with importing.”
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