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The UK states that the new border systems are ready for launch. The “countdown plan” has included testing the infrastructure and working closely with Belgium, France and the Netherlands.
“The border systems and infrastructure that we need are in place and we are ready for the UK’s fresh start,” a government spokesman told the BBC.
There are still fears that smaller companies may not be prepared for the changes and that trucks that do not have the correct documentation will be forced to turn around at ports with delays as a result.
The Port of Dover expects the flow of goods to slow down in early January and is more concerned about what will happen in the second half of January, when it is expected to increase again, Reuters reports.
To reduce the risk of delays, the UK will gradually introduce controls on mainland products during the first half of 2021. However, some new customs procedures for things like imports of alcohol, chemicals and tobacco will take effect immediately after End of the year.
With Brexit now in full effect, EU member states will need to complete customs declarations on UK exports by midnight.
At the same time, Spain has reached an agreement with Great Britain on Gibraltar, which is allowed to maintain free movement, writes the BBC.
Gibraltar will join the Schengen area and comply with other EU rules, although it will remain British territory. This means that EU citizens traveling to Gibraltar avoid passport control, while UK travelers must show passports.
Formally left the UK The EU as of January 31, 2020. Since then, the country has remained in the Union acquis for a transitional period that expires at the end of the year. Meanwhile, the parties have negotiated a free trade agreement, which they agreed to on Christmas Eve.
On Wednesday, EU leaders signed the deal and it was voted on by the British House of Commons shortly after. The agreement entered into force at midnight on Thursday and on January 1, 2021, the British will leave the EU internal market.
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