Ireland will never return to the type of trading relationship it enjoyed with Britain prior to Brexit, a leading customs official said on Monday as he warned of potential disruption for exporters.

Speaking at a briefing held at Dublin Port, Tom Talbot, head of Revenue’s customs operations (story), said ports were dealing well with post-Brexit border checks on goods coming from Britain into the Republic.

Just over two months since the introduction of border controls on imports following Britain’s exit from the European Union, Mr Talbot said traffic was still significantly lower than for the same period a year ago, which he attributed to a number of factors including stockpiling ahead of Brexit and the impact of store closures due to the Covid lockdown.

Checks

He said that currently about 80 per cent of all freight from Britain is being “green-routed”, meaning they can immediately proceed on their journey. Of the other 20 per cent, most of this is “orange-routed”, meaning document checks are required, while about 4 per cent is “red-routed”, indicating a physical check is necessary.

Mr Talbot said Revenue was happy with the level being achieved so far and said there would never be a day when all UK traffic could be green-routed.

“In practical terms the requirements that now apply to trade with the UK mean that there never will be a scenario that 100 per cent of goods ... will be able to arrive through the port seamlessly as they did when Britain was part of the EU,” said Mr Talbot.

The Irish Times has more including new figures released where from January 1st to February 28th there were 50,800 freight vehicle movements into Ireland from more than 870 ferries from Britain with over 2.6m import declarations processed.

During the same period there were 46,500 movements from the Republic to Britain. And some 320,000 export declarations.

Afloat adds further figures released on 1st March can be consulted on Gov.ie's Operational Update (2 month post-Brexit transition). The update highlights in depth the overall trading /shipping scene with a listing of 10 key headings.  

It has been confirmed by Revenue that its new Customs Roll on-Roll off Service is operational, as administrative procedures for ferry freight kick in following the end of the Brexit transition period.

The service enables transport companies to get a Pre-Boarding Notification (PBN) before the goods they are moving start their journey.

A PBN is needed before a lorry can get onto a ferry to cross the Irish Sea, as the UK is now considered a third country for trade purposes.

This morning ferry operator Stena said that six freight truck loads bound for Ireland have had to be turned away at Holyhead as they did not have the correct references.

In a tweet, the company appealed to freight operators to ensure they had their PBNs ready ahead of check-in for the sailing.

More reading RTE News reports on this development at Irish Sea ports. 

#irishports - The Revenue Commissioners, reports RTE News, is to start providing key Brexit advice for transport companies and their drivers who are transporting goods to, from or through the UK after Brexit.

Revenue said the information will be vital in helping truck drivers avoid congestion and delays for trucks coming into, and moving out of, Irish ports.

From tomorrow, Customs officers will be talking with and providing information to truck drivers in Dublin and Rosslare Ports to ensure they understand and are aware of the changes that Brexit will mean for their journeys.

Customs officers will talk with truck drivers as they wait to get the ferry, and will also be available onboard a number of sailings.

To read more click here and for further information here's a link to the Revenue website.