Trade

Explainer: What are the new post-Brexit customs rules and are Irish firms ready for them?

Long-delayed customs reforms will take effect in Britain from midnight on Wednesday, with Irish food firms expecting to take the changes in their stride

Over one third of Irish exports go to the UK, which remains as the largest single destination for Irish food, drink and horticulture exports. Picture: Getty

Irish food companies in the meat and dairy industry have said they expect to see minimal disruption to trade this week when long-delayed post-Brexit customs rules finally come into effect in Britain from midnight on Wednesday.

The changes, which have been deferred by the British government a number of times, have been described as a form of “trade bureaucracy” by Simon Coveney, the enterprise minister, following Britain’s decision to leave the European Union and the ...