Reliant on markets in the European Union, they fear that making any mistake in daunting new paperwork could cause border delays that would ruin entire shipments — and their businesses.
Unloading sacks of scallops from a fishing boat at Oban, Scotland, last week.Credit…Russell Cheyne/Reuters
LONDON — Loaded with tons of live crab, lobster and prawns, the trucks headed south from the Scottish town of Oban had to reach their destination in Spain within 72 hours to be sure the cargo would survive the trip.
But with Britain operating new post-Brexit trading rules, a journey that used to be routine is now a high-stakes gamble for the exporter Paul Knight, managing director of PDK Shellfish.
“It is like roulette,” said Mr. Knight, as he waved off two giant trucks, adding that though he spent tens of thousands of pounds on Brexit preparations he remained terrified
