Tools and materials stuck in ports struggling to process surge in imports under Covid controls.

FREIGHT companies have expressed “dismay” over new customs controls at the UK border which will begin in the new year, MSPs have been told.

Commenting on the spate of recent media reports that the government is considering another delay to the introduction of post-Brexit border checks on goods entering Britain from the EU, the freight sector says that it comes as no great surprise.

Spike in imports has led to bottlenecks of containers carrying supplies for shops and factories.

The director general of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) says that it in light of the massive disruption to supply chains being caused by the coronavirus crisis, it would be irresponsible of the UK government to try to abide by the timetable for ending its Brexit transition period.

The U.K. risks failing to recruit the 50,000 customs agents the logistics industry says are needed before Britain’s final parting with the European Union, spelling potential chaos at the country’s busiest border.