The Hidden Cost of EU Customs Delays for UK Businesses
EU Customs Delays at EU Checkpoint
EU customs delays are costing UK businesses far more than many realise. From lost clients to returned shipments, the hidden costs often show up too late — in damaged reputation, lost revenue, or wasted time. If you’re still treating customs as just admin, this guide is for you.
A recent survey of 651 UK businesses found that 72% experienced customs or supply chain delays after Brexit. These aren’t just paperwork headaches. They’re shipment-stopping, cost-mounting, customer-losing problems that can damage your bottom line and reputation.
If your business relies on EU trade, this article could save you time, money, and stress.
What’s Really Causing EU Delays in 2025?
There’s no single cause. Delays are typically the result of fragmented processes, outdated knowledge, or minor mistakes that snowball.
Here’s what we see most often:
Incomplete or inaccurate documentation Correct completion of customs formalities requires complete and correct documentation.
Incorrect HS (commodity) codes Tariff codes determine taxes, licences, and treatment at the border. If yours are wrong, you risk delays or even refusal of exit/entry.
INCOTERMS confusion Last minute arguments around tax and duty liability, or the incorrect use of INCOTERMS, can lead to costly delays at the border; or substantial, unrecoverable outlays for overseas VAT.
Ongoing regulation changes The UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) introduced new controls on imports for food, plants, and animal products. In 2024, businesses had to adapt quickly to the latest documentary checks via systems like IPAFFS. Not everyone kept up. With more changes on the horizon as the current administration looks to move towards dynamic alignment with EU legislation, staying abreast of the changes in the UK-EU trading relationship is central to keeping your business moving.
The Business Impact: What Delays Really Cost
Customs delays don’t just hit the haulier; they hit your supply chain, your cash flow, and your customers.
Time and Money
Missed delivery slots can lead to lost production time, angry customers and mounting costs.
Waiting time charges from hauliers or subcontractors are common, especially when delays stretch into hours or days.
Returned goods can see costs escalate to the point where a shipment becomes loss-making.
Real-World Examples
Cheese exporters from the UK have reported that perishable stock sent to EU events was delayed and, in some cases, destroyed. A 2024 report in The Times confirmed that several shipments for the World Cheese Awards were held and later incinerated due to paperwork errors. Small producers have seen export costs nearly triple.
Stonemanor, a Belgian food retailer, now avoids importing chilled goods from the UK due to constant delays and spoilage. They estimate losses of €10,000 to €15,000 per shipment when customs paperwork or systems go wrong.
The British Chambers of Commerce reported that 45% of UK exporters still cite customs procedures as their biggest barrier to trade with the EU.
Reputation and Risk
Customers don’t want excuses. A single failed shipment can damage trust and make future business harder to win.
If you rely on just-in-time deliveries or have clients in food, pharma, or high-value goods, the stakes are even higher.
“Customs isn’t just red tape; it’s where things can go very wrong if you’re not fully prepared. Most delays we see come down to avoidable paperwork issues. We do our due diligence before the job starts, so problems don’t arise later.”
— Sean Mitchel, Head of International Freight, Courier Express
Three Customs Mistakes You Can Prevent
There are dozens of ways things can go wrong at the border, but these are the top three issues we see again and again.
1. Incomplete Documentation
Every shipment must include:
A full commercial invoice (with EORI numbers, HS codes, weights, origin, INCOTERMS, and value for customs purposes)
A packing list (if packing details not included on the invoice)
Any required licences or certificates (e.g. for plant and animal products, or restricted goods)
Tip: Ensure all required sections are completed on all required documentation. Don’t leave it to the last minute.
2. Incorrect HS Codes
The Harmonised System (HS) code determines duty rates, licensing, and controls. If your codes are out of date or just incorrect, the risk of inspection or refusal increases.
Tip: Use the UK Integrated Tariff and the EU’s TARIC database. When in doubt, speak to a customs specialist or request an advance tariff ruling from HMRC.
3. Incorrect Use or Poor Understanding of INCOTERMS
INCOTERMS define who is responsible for what. Get it wrong and you could end up paying unexpected VAT or duties — or see your goods held until import charges are settled.
Tip: Always list your chosen INCOTERM on the invoice and contracts. And make sure everyone involved understands what it means.
How to Protect Your Business from Delays
Even with perfect paperwork, delays can still happen. But the vast majority are preventable.
Here’s how to stay ahead:
✅ Use a freight forwarder who understands customs, not just a transport provider
✅ Stay up to date on rule changes from HMRC and the EU
✅ Keep documentation clear, accurate, and consistent
✅ Build in a buffer and have a contingency plan
Need Help? Get a Free Customs Readiness Check
Courier Express specialises in end-to-end customs and freight services across the UK and EU. From palletised pharmaceuticals to food, machinery, or licenced goods — we help you stay compliant, avoid delays, and deliver with confidence.
Based in Brighton, we support clients across the South-East and beyond.
“Our job is to help clients avoid delays, not just respond to them. We internalise complexity and deliver simplicity, because we know what’s at stake.”
— Ben Hawksley, Customer Services & Compliance Manager, Courier Express
Free Customs Compliance Checklist
If you’re shipping to the EU, even one missing document can cause days of delays, unexpected storage fees, and unhappy customers. That’s why we’ve created a free 2025 EU Customs Checklist to help guide you.
