ray hutstone wrote:But on a broader level, there is a need for import checks as the government well knows. The longer we take a relaxed view then the likelier it becomes that the import of fake, shoddy or downright illegal goods will start. I've also been led to believe that WTO rules and trade agreements in general entail import checks to prevent them from being undermined by unscrupulous competitors.
True. However, the principal difference between pre- and post-Brexit concerns EU/Single Market goods and whilst a proportion of these needs to be checked, there is little reason why this has to be near the border under the auspices of HMRC et al. The risk posed by shoddy Single Market goods can be addressed anywhere before the shop shelf and by Trading Standards - as it was up to about 5 minutes ago.