Post-Brexit Border Checks Jeopardized by Customs Paperwork Delay

Tens of thousands of import and export businesses may face delays or blocks at the U.K. border if there’s a no-deal Brexit, as tax officials struggle to process a spike in applications for their new, simpler customs procedure.

Customs and value-added tax (VAT) declarations at the border are among the new compliance burdens businesses will face when the U.K. leaves the European Union. The tax office has introduced a new procedure to help alleviate border delays by reducing checks. But it needs businesses to apply for an economic operator registration and identification (EORI) number to qualify for a shorter ...