After a calm kick-off of Brexit, the first cracks started to show as both DB Schenker and DPD decided to suspend deliveries from EU to UK citing uncomplete paperwork as the barrier.
The German logistics group, DB Schenker, said it was unclear when services could be resumed, stating that only 10% of shipments were accompanied with the correct paperwork, causing operational disruptions. It also clarified that there were no issues regarding packages coming from the UK into the EU. The enormous amount of bureaucratic regulations, DB Schenker said, strained its UK staff and left them unable to handle shipments in a “legally compliant manner”.
DPD had suspended its operations towards the end of the first week of Brexit, after around 20% of its cross-border shipments had incorrect or incomplete documentation, and was planning to resume services on January 13, 2021. However, it decided to extend the suspension as it is resolving issues around the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS), which it cites as a challenge since January 1, when the Brexit deal took effect. In a statement DPD said, “Each day we are making significant strides with all our new external systems and processes. However, there continues to be delays in validating data with European Customs. In view of these circumstances, our service into Europe and the Republic of Ireland will remain paused and we’ll provide a further update on Friday January 15”.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Commerce, a cross-border e-commerce company, warned of more disruptions to come. Issues around complete customs data, rules of origin and VAT now being payable on low-value goods into the UK will become a challenge in the weeks ahead.
Source: Various sources
