Open border ‘impossible’ from customs perspective

An open border between the North and the Republic will be impossible from a customs perspective once Brexit occurs, the Revenue Commissioners have stated.

An internal report on the likely impacts of Brexit found that every day 13,000 commercial vehicles cross the border. The report found a completely open border is not possible from a customs perspective, and it would be naive to believe a unique arrangement can be found.

It concluded that Ireland’s customs infrastructure would be overwhelmed by a huge increase in volume of work because of Brexit and the impact on the border.