The call comes as the final phase of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) was implemented on 31 January
Government should take learnings from UK logistics when delivering its Trade Strategy to ensure trade can flow as smoothly as possible across borders, according to the sector.
Logistics UK, which represents more than 20,000 businesses, is urging government to listen to the experiences of its members.
The sector’s operational needs should be taken into account so future border changes do not become barriers to trade, it says.
The call comes as the final phase of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) was implemented on 31 January, requiring Safety and Security Declarations (SSD) for imports into GB from the EU.
“The introduction of the new border controls over the last 12 months has been far from smooth, with constant changes to deadlines and lack of clarity over precisely how the new procedures were being implemented,” says Logistics UK Head of Trade, Nichola Mallon.
“Now that the final phase of BTOM is being implemented, the government must learn from this experience when designing and delivering its forthcoming Trade Strategy by meaningfully engaging with the logistics industry which has the expertise when it comes to understanding trade barriers and the solutions to streamline and grow trade."
The logistics sector has a critical role to play if the UK is to succeed in resetting its trading relationship with the EU, Logistics UK says.
It adds that the government must rebuild confidence throughout the sector that it can provide the pragmatic solutions business needs to trade smoothly and boost growth.
Europe is the UK’s closest and largest trading partner and represents a huge opportunity for business to deliver the economic growth the UK needs, the body says.
Ms Mallon explains: "To do this, our industry needs an evolution and expansion of our trading relationship that focuses on making trade as frictionless as possible.
"This includes the negotiation of a new and comprehensive veterinary agreement which would boost trade and speed up the movement of animal and plant goods across the border, by simplifying export and import procedures while maintaining food safety.
“Our member organisations are the companies which export and import the goods that we all rely on every day and their experiences since the UK left the EU have shaped our asks of government.
"We need the government to work with the EU urgently on customs and border policies to smooth the flow of trade, including creation of pragmatic solutions to the introduction of the EU Entry and Exit System (EES)."