More than three years since leaving the EU, the United Kingdom on Tuesday began goods inspections for imported animal and plant products from the EU.

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed on Tuesday following a request by dpa.

In addition, food importers would have to pay a common user charge of up to 145 pounds (182 dollars) per load on some products such as sausage, cheese and yoghurt, as well as cut flowers.

Experts and companies were warning of longer delivery times, more bureaucracy and higher costs which ultimately have to be borne by consumers in the UK.

According to calculations by credit insurer Allianz Trade, the new Brexit regulations could cost British companies up to two billion pounds and fuel inflation.

Import costs would rise by 10 per cent in the first year.

The post-Brexit physical checks were postponed several times due to a lack of infrastructure and staff.

The Politico news portal reported that there were still many unanswered questions.

Commercial port operators had invested many millions of pounds in the construction of inspection facilities and now had serious concerns about how they would cover the costs of operation.

The UK left the EU at the end of January 2020 following a referendum in 2016.

The country left the EU single market and customs union in 2021.

A last-minute agreement secured a largely barrier-free trade partnership; however, there were many problems in bilateral trade. Traders complain about more bureaucracy and new customs duties in some areas.

(dpa/NAN)