Courier firm ParcelHero has called on the UK government to secure access to the single market and avoid the imposition of new import tariffs following the UK voting the leave to European Union (EU).
ParcelHero’s head of consumer research David Jinks said: “Many of ParcelHero’s small/medium (SME) business customers voted for Brexit and we understand entirely why they have done so.
“However, we are concerned for our customers about the possibility of increased costs in sending parcels to the EU and also receiving items from the Union."
Jinks said ParcelHero regularly ships to countries that are in Europe but not in the EU, such as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.
Parcels sent to these countries face customs delays, red tape and tariffs of between 5-9% on average.
“We hope that the UK will not find itself with similar customs charges and paperwork,” said Jinks.
“It is our hope that negotiations between the UK Government and Brussels will ensure that the EU will not impose new tariffs on British good shipped into the EU; and that similarly the UK Government will not seek to impose tit-for-tat tariffs in return.”
ParcelHero said it is not expecting any price rises for its EU services while the UK’s future relationship is hammered out.
“It’s very much business as usual and we trust that Britain will not face new trade tariffs and border delays following these negotiations; which would be very much against the interest of EU countries and businesses; as well as UK SMEs,” the company added.
ParcelHero added that it would keep customers up to date with any requirements and regulations for shipping to the EU here.
