Food importers in UK say new Brexit checks could add 60% to costs

The charges are levied on goods coming through Dover port or the Channel tunnel to cover the costs of the Sevington control facility in Kent. Photograph: Dan Kitwood/Getty

Importers of food from the EU into Britain have said newly introduced post-Brexit checks could increase their costs by up to 60%, pushing up prices for customers and driving some shops out of business.

After five previous delays, the UK government on Tuesday introduced the physical checks on animal and plant products entering from the EU, having revealed at the start of this month that it would be implementing a common user charge (CUC) of up to £145 per consignment.