GSD Calls For Action On Post-Treaty Goods Delays

The GSD has called for action over delays affecting goods entering Gibraltar following the implementation of the Treaty.

A statement from the GSD follows below:

Having repeatedly told Gibraltar that the Government was “ready” for implementation what many  businesses have faced over the first two weeks is disruption. It is insufficient to wave these off as  “teething problems” when some of these were foreseeable or could have been identified had there  been proper dry runs of processes. 

To that extent the fire-fighting that is now going on is too little and too late but symptomatic of the  Government’s approach.  

Shadow Business Minister, Craig Sacrello said: “The Treaty should connect Gibraltar to opportunity,  not trap our economy and businesses in paperwork. We must support businesses, protect workers,  fully digitise the border and make the new arrangements work for everyone.” 

As such, urgent practical measures need to be taken to reduce delays, costs and bureaucracy  affecting goods entering Gibraltar through the land frontier following Treaty implementation. 

The new arrangements have effectively created a harder Border for many goods arriving from the  United Kingdom.  

Businesses now have to navigate three separate customs regimes (the UK, Gibraltar and Spain/EU)  without fully integrated IT systems. Freight forwarders and hauliers have reported a wide range of difficulties involving commodity codes, permits, licences, Spanish health approvals and supporting  documentation which was not previously required. 

These problems have been compounded by insufficient preparation. The new systems were not  adequately stress-tested or even operated in parallel to the old one before implementation, while  clearing agents continued receiving important instructions and updates immediately before, and  even on, the day the new arrangements commenced. Many clearing agents refer to the present  scenario as “a perfect storm”. 

It is therefore grossly unfair to blame clearing agents, hauliers, Customs officers or businesses for the  disruption. They have worked under immense pressure to operate a complex new system without  adequate testing, training or resources. 

The consequences have included commercial vehicles waiting for prolonged periods (days on end in  some cases), additional transport and clearance costs, delayed stock, empty shelves and difficulties  importing essential goods, including medicines. The longer-term effect on retail prices may only  become clear once stock accumulated before implementation is exhausted. 

The border situation is improving, but improving is not the same as frictionless. The focus must now  be on practical solutions.

Remedial measures should include: 

• immediate, additional specialist training for Customs personnel where necessary; 

• working with the Spanish authorities to improve the flow and management of commercial  traffic in La Linea; 

• enlarging Gibraltar’s commercial-vehicle holding area; and 

• establishing a fully integrated pre-arrival system so freight forwarders can submit digital  manifests, commodity codes and supporting documents before goods leave the United  Kingdom. 

Craig Sacarello commented, “Supporting businesses is key to our economy as they support the  public services we enjoy. Businesses create jobs, pay wages and generate the taxes that fund  healthcare, education and other public services.”