Post-Brexit border fee in Kent brings warnings of higher food prices and empty shelves
Food suppliers have warned of higher prices and empty supermarket shelves
The government has revealed the charge that companies will have to pay to import food products from Europe through Kent because of Brexit.
Food suppliers have warned of higher prices and empty supermarket shelves thanks to the post-Brexit border charge being introduced at the end of the month.
Importers will have to pay up to ÂŁ145 to bring small amounts of products such as cheese, salami and fish through the port of Dover or the Eurotunnel from April 30, according to guidance published on Wednesday (4 April).
The fee is intended to cover the cost of operating the border control posts introduced after Brexit, and will not apply to goods brought into the UK for personal use.
But importers warned the new charges could lead to higher prices for consumers.
"Extremely disappointing"
The Cold Chain Federation's chief executive, Phil Pluck, said:
"Ultimately, this will increase business costs and food prices and potentially lower choices for the shopper."
Mr Pluck added it was "extremely disappointing" that the charges had been announced "at the last minute", leaving businesses with little time to make any necessary changes.
James Barnes, chairman of the Horticultural Trades Association, said Wednesday's announcement "confirms our fears that in just one month, UK horticulture's competitiveness will be again hit by a cost hike for no material gain".
Adding that the policy "feels like it is constructed on the back of an envelope at best",
The fee will be charged per type of product imported, and will vary from ÂŁ10 to ÂŁ29 depending on the risk products present. It will also be capped at ÂŁ145 for mixed consignments.
A Government spokesperson said this was "within and at the bottom end of the range which we consulted with industry on".
They added: "The charge is designed to recover the costs of operating our world-class border facilities where essential biosecurity checks will protect our food supply, farmers and environment against costly disease outbreaks entering the UK through the short straits.
"The charges follow extensive consultation with industry and a cap has been set specifically to help smaller businesses.
"We are committed to supporting businesses of all sizes and across all sectors as they adapt to new border checks and maintaining the smooth flow of imported goods."
About a quarter of the UK's food imports pass through Dover and the Channel Tunnel.
The introduction of post-Brexit border checks has been delayed several times over fears they could fuel inflation, but began to be introduced from the start of this year.