Brexit 10 Years Later: Lessons Every Trader Should Learn
- Annkaren Wambui
- Jul 8
- 4 min read
🔓 Ten years after Brexit, what lessons should businesses learn? Discover how customs, compliance and trade have changed forever.
Summary: Ten years after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Brexit continues to shape customs compliance, supply chains and international trade. In this exclusive Customs Manager interview, Arne Mielken speaks with Jane Stanley, Head of Customs & International Trade at Lidl GB, about the realities of post-Brexit trade, the growing importance of professional customs expertise, and why businesses must treat customs as a strategic business function rather than an administrative obligation. |
Brexit Changed More Than Borders
On 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union.
Few could have predicted just how profoundly that decision would transform customs, international trade and supply chain management.
Ten years later, businesses are no longer asking whether Brexit has changed customs.
They are asking how they can operate more effectively within the new trading environment.
In this exclusive interview, Arne Mielken sits down with Jane Stanley, Head of Customs & International Trade at Lidl GB, to reflect on the lessons learned and explore what the next decade may hold.
Customs Became a Business Strategy
Perhaps the biggest lesson from Brexit is that customs is no longer simply about submitting declarations.
It now influences:
supply chain resilience
sourcing decisions
duty costs
Rules of Origin
customs valuation
regulatory risk
business competitiveness
Companies that invested early in customs capability adapted far more successfully than those treating customs as an afterthought.
Good Customs Compliance Starts Long Before the Border
One recurring theme throughout the discussion is that successful customs compliance begins long before goods arrive at a frontier.
Strong compliance depends on:
accurate tariff classification
correct customs valuation
robust origin determination
high-quality customs data
documented internal controls
Businesses relying on customs brokers still retain legal responsibility for their declarations.
Professional Standards Matter More Than Ever
The interview also explores the increasing importance of professional competence.
As customs legislation becomes more complex, businesses are placing greater value on:
continuous professional development (CPD)
recognised qualifications
internal governance
PAS 41201 professional standards
experienced customs professionals
The customs profession itself continues to evolve from operational processing towards strategic advisory roles.
The Biggest Mistakes Businesses Continue to Make
Despite ten years of experience, many organisations continue to face recurring customs challenges.
Common mistakes include:
incorrect HS classifications
poor origin management
incomplete customs documentation
insufficient governance
failure to review customs data
Many of these issues only become visible during customs audits.
What Comes Next?
Looking ahead, customs compliance is becoming increasingly digital.
Artificial intelligence, customs data analytics, digital product passports, CBAM and new regulatory frameworks will require businesses to strengthen both their technical expertise and governance structures.
The organisations investing in customs intelligence today will be best prepared for tomorrow's trade environment.
This article highlights only a selection of the topics discussed.
The full interview explores Brexit's long-term impact, customs professionalism, business resilience and the future of international trade in much greater detail.
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Author
Ann Karen | Head of Growth
Updated: July 2026
Related Topics
#Brexit #CustomsCompliance #InternationalTrade #TradeCompliance #RulesOfOrigin #CustomsBroker #SupplyChain #PAS41201 #ImportExport #GlobalTrade #CustomsManager #ProfessionalStandards #CustomsTraining #TradeIntelligence
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Please consult a customs specialist regarding your specific compliance obligations.
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