PUBLISHER: The Load Star (www.theloadstar.com)
With the changes to post-Brexit border policies, pressure is set to intensify for UK importers next week as volumes begin to climb back, post-Christmas lull.
The first week of new import controls on EU goods saw a notable hitch when the new IT system, the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), crashed on day one, with forwarders noting extra delays tied to Goods Movement Reference (GMR) production.
Group operations director at Priority Freight Andrew Austin told The Loadstar: “GMRs are not being produced in a timely manner, and when they are they are not always correct.
“In theory, the new regulations should not be too arduous for importers as the process remains the same; it’s mainly just the time frame which changed. However, this isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution and there are bound to be admin issues and errors as businesses adjust.”