Ask the Collective

How complex is sourcing ingredients from the EU post-Brexit, and what logistics challenges should we expect?

Post-Brexit EU sourcing has been mixed: some members report it's been straightforward with minimal extra cost, while others face significant delays on less common routes. **Key findings from recent experience:** - **Direct EU suppliers (e.g. German botanicals and flavour houses)** — When suppliers arrange shipping and handle import declarations themselves, the process is surprisingly smooth and quick. Members report the transporter typically handles all customs paperwork, often with no significant extra cost. Lead times can actually be faster than pre-Brexit in some cases. - **Specialty logistics routes** — Niche routes (e.g. Estonia, smaller EU destinations) are currently problematic. **Hillebrand** expects 3–4 months before they can resume service on non-major routes. **Wineflow** is only servicing major routes at the moment and cannot provide timelines for smaller destinations. - **Monthly/regular shipments to major EU hubs** — Regular business to established routes (e.g. Netherlands) continues to operate normally. **Caveats:** Members note mixed experiences—some shipments arrive without issue, others face extended delays depending on destination and supplier. The complexity varies significantly by route and supplier willingness to handle declarations. It's worth confirming with each supplier whether they manage import paperwork or expect you to handle it.