Scottish fishermen say their product is no longer fresh by the time it arrives in France. AFP
Scottish fishermen say their product is no longer fresh by the time it arrives in France. AFP
Scottish fishermen say their product is no longer fresh by the time it arrives in France. AFP
Scottish fishermen say their product is no longer fresh by the time it arrives in France. AFP

The fallout: Unexpected challenges for business in Brexit Britain


  • English
  • Arabic

New border rules introduced after the UK’s departure from the European Union are creating unexpected issues.

Some EU businesses have stopped posting to the UK, British expats can’t access Sky TV in Europe, while Sainsbury’s has started selling a rival grocer’s products on its shelves in Northern Ireland.

Even Percy Pig has been hit by Brexit.

Here are some of the curious challenges caused by the UK-EU divorce:

Dutch bike company ‘stops dealing with British customers’

Some smaller EU businesses including a Dutch bike firm have given up selling their products to the UK due to complicated changes in Value Added Tax (VAT) rules.

On January 1, the UK changed the rules for foreign mail-order sellers, requiring them to collect the sales tax on behalf of the government. They are then required to repay the money to HM Revenue & Customs.

The government could have applied existing VAT rules to EU sellers because goods arriving from outside the bloc were already subject to the rules.

But the sheer volume of goods entering the UK from the EU meant officials did not have enough staff to police the changes

Some EU traders have already stopped delivering to the UK because of the red tape.

Bicycle parts firm Dutch Bike Bits said it would ship to every country in the world except the UK.

"We are forced by British policy to stop dealing with British customers," it said on its website.

Didriksons, a Swedish coat maker, delayed orders under the impression that Brexit “imposes a customs duty on all trade to and from the UK”.

Parcels being delivered to the EU have also been affected.

Parcel giant DPD UK said it had temporarily stopped delivering packages to the EU because of the “increased burden” of customs paperwork.

DPD said 20 per cent of parcels had "incorrect or incomplete data attached", which meant they would have to be returned.

Percy pig hit with tariffs

Percy Pig could also be hit with tariffs if Marks & Spencer re-exports the popular British sweet to EU countries, including Ireland.

M&S chief Steve Rowe said the iconic treat was subject to very complex “rules of origin” regulations that form part of the trade deal.

The rules relate to the composition of individual products and how much of it has been altered in the UK. Any product that is manufactured in Europe, imported into the UK and then re-distributed to EU countries faces a tariff.

Percy Pig sweets could be hit with a new import tax. Alamy
Percy Pig sweets could be hit with a new import tax. Alamy

Re-exporting is rare for other countries which have trade deals with the EU - such as Canada and Japan - due to their distance from the market.

"The best example I can give you of that is Percy Pig," Mr Rowe told reporters. "Percy Pig is actually manufactured in Germany. If it comes to the UK and we then send it to Ireland, in theory it would have some tax on it.”

Scottish scallops lose their freshness

Scottish fishermen have halted exports to the EU after the system that put fresh langoustines and scallops in French shops just over a day after they were harvested broke down.

The introduction of health certificates, customs declarations and other paperwork added days to delivery times and hundreds of pounds to the cost of each load.

Business owners said they tried to send small deliveries to France and Spain to test the new systems this week but it was taking five hours to secure a health certificate in Scotland.

"Our customers are pulling out," Santiago Buesa of SB Fish said. "We are a fresh product and the customers expect to have it fresh, so they're not buying. It's a catastrophe."

British expats lose bank accounts

Most UK bank accounts held by expats in the EU will close after the end of ‘passporting’ arrangements.

The UK’s membership of the bloc meant banks were allowed to provide services in member states without the need for approval.

From January 1, British banks needed authorisation from each country they chose to operate in.

The web of regulations forced many banks to close accounts in countries where they no longer wanted to operate.

No Sky TV in Europe

British travellers in the EU can no longer access UK-registered streaming services. Getty Images
British travellers in the EU can no longer access UK-registered streaming services. Getty Images

Britons who travel to the EU can no longer stream their favourite shows after the UK left the bloc’s single digital market.

Previously, UK subscribers to services such as Amazon Prime and Sky TV could stream from anywhere on the continent.

EU share trading exodus

Nearly €6 billion ($7.3 billion) of EU share dealing shifted out of London on the first trading day of 2021.

Investors and banks had previously used the UK’s membership of the bloc to trade freely across borders.

The shift came after the UK’s regulatory system was not recognised as the “equivalent” to the EU’s in post-Brexit trade deal.

As a result, European trading moved to other centres such as Amsterdam and Paris.

Boris Johnson admitted that his deal fell short on provisions for the City. He said his deal “perhaps does not go as far as we would like” on the government’s ambitions for financial services.

British nationals stuck at the border

UK travellers are no longer exempt from the EU’s coronavirus border restrictions.

The bloc only allows traveller entry from a handful of non-EU countries that have low rates of the virus - including Singapore, China and Australia.

On January 1, more than a dozen Britons were refused entry to the Netherlands because of the rule change.

Several British citizens living in Spain were barred from boarding flights in the UK because the airline said their pre-Brexit residency papers were no longer valid. Others were also refused entry to Germany.

Sainsbury’s stocks rival’s products

Sainsbury's supermarkets in Northern Ireland began selling a rival's products on its shelves. AFP
Sainsbury's supermarkets in Northern Ireland began selling a rival's products on its shelves. AFP

British supermarket Sainsbury’s was forced to stock food products from rival supermarket Spar due to border disruption.

On January 1, England, Scotland and Wales left the EU's single market for goods but Northern Ireland did not.

A customs border in the Irish Sea means additional checks are required on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Sainsbury’s said some products were “temporarily unavailable for our customers in Northern Ireland while border arrangements are confirmed”.

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ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

'Lost in Space'

Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen

Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins

Rating: 4/5

Specs

Engine: 51.5kW electric motor

Range: 400km

Power: 134bhp

Torque: 175Nm

Price: From Dh98,800

Available: Now

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

2.0

Director: S Shankar

Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films

Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press

Series information

Pakistan v Dubai

First Test, Dubai International Stadium

Sun Oct 6 to Thu Oct 11

Second Test, Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Tue Oct 16 to Sat Oct 20          

 Play starts at 10am each day

 

Teams

 Pakistan

1 Mohammed Hafeez, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Asad Shafiq, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Babar Azam, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed, 8 Bilal Asif, 9 Yasir Shah, 10, Mohammed Abbas, 11 Wahab Riaz or Mir Hamza

 Australia

1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Travis Head, 6 Marnus Labuschagne, 7 Tim Paine, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jon Holland

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.

United States

2.

China

3.

UAE

4.

Japan

5

Norway

6.

Canada

7.

Singapore

8.

Australia

9.

Saudi Arabia

10.

South Korea

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

RACE CARD

6.30pm: Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm: Meydan Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (Turf) 1,000m

7.40pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (D) 2,200m

8.15pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,900m

8.50pm: Zabeel Mile – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,600m

9.25pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $163,000 (T) 1,800m

10pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,200m

 

 

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

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Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

Available: Now

How to help

Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

SPECS

Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman

Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Transmission: nine-speed automatic

Power: 306hp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500

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Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

Tips to keep your car cool
  • Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
  • Park in shaded or covered areas
  • Add tint to windows
  • Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
  • Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
  • Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Five films to watch

Castle in the Sky (1986)

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Only Yesterday (1991)

Pom Poki (1994)

The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2013)

Biography

Favourite book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Holiday choice: Anything Disney-related

Proudest achievement: Receiving a presidential award for foreign services.

Family: Wife and three children.

Like motto: You always get what you ask for, the universe listens.

If you go

Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com

A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com

'Peninsula'

Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra

Director: ​Yeon Sang-ho

Rating: 2/5

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.

• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.

• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

The specs: 2018 Jaguar E-Pace First Edition

Price, base / as tested: Dh186,480 / Dh252,735

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder

Power: 246hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque: 365Nm @ 1,200rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km

FIGHT CARD

Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31

Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)

Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)

Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)

Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)

Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)

Catchweight 80kg​​​​​​​
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)

Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)

Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)

Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)

Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)

Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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