TORY BREXIT RED TAPE CAUSES EXTRA FEES TO SOAR ON CONSUMER IMPORTS

TRUE COST OF BREXIT HITS CUSTOMER POCKETS AS CHARGES ROCKET

The SNP has slammed the Tory government’s Brexit deal for slapping huge charges for VAT, duties and charges on consumers for imported packages coming from the EU.

Prior to the Tory Brexit deal, products could move freely between all parts of the EU and other member states without import taxes being charged. Now, under Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal which Scotland’s six Tory MPs rubber-stamped, there has been a surge in reports of substantial charges imposed, collected by courier firms for items over a certain value.

The BBC reported that individual buying a jacket at £200 was asked to pay a further £82 in extra fees by courier UPS. Charges are collected by the courier for the UK government, under new rules.

SNP Consumer Affairs spokesperson Patricia Gibson MP said:

“The impact of the Tory Brexit deal is devastating for consumers - and these latest reports of huge charges on imports from the EU show the true cost of Boris Johnson’s Brexit deal.

“Shoppers can no longer go about their daily business without the fear of building up large additional charges due to Tory Brexit red tape.

“We have already seen firms across Europe cease trading with the UK – directly impacting Scotland – as a result of this deeply damaging Tory Brexit trade agreement; an agreement rubber-stamped by Scotland’s six Tory MPs and forced on us against our will. Now, it’s the everyday consumer being hit by the UK government’s recklessness.

“Scotland did not vote for this hard Brexit madness. That’s why it’s clearer than ever that the only way to protect Scotland’s consumers from this turmoil is to take our place as an independent European nation.”

ENDS