Emergency! Brexit causes EU highway suspension!

Foreign media reported that due to Brexit, up to one in five parcels were wrong and incomplete, and DPD suspended EU road transport in the UK, including deliveries to the Republic of Ireland.

“ The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement has resulted in more complex processes and additional customs data requirements for parcels shipped to Europe. This, combined with delays and congestion at English Channel crossings, has put additional pressure on our turnaround and transit times. We are seeing up to 20% of parcels with incorrect or incomplete data in the attachments, resulting in these parcels needing to be returned to customers in order to provide the required data. Given this unprecedented situation, we believe it is right to suspend and review our road services ”
– DPD

The big problem for carriers is that if just one package on a truck is missing the correct documentation, the entire truck can be held at the border and possibly even turned around and sent back to the warehouse. Also, carriers don’t have to hold and store packages while they wait for paperwork – they have conveyor belt sorting systems that drop them off and fly them straight to the unloading dock to be delivered by trailer. They simply don’t have room in their warehouses to store thousands of packages or match them with the documentation when they arrive. Pretty much the only solution is to return them to the retailer and suspend EU road transport in the meantime until they are ready to restart service.

DPD hopes that the suspension of EU road transport will be as short as possible so that services can restart on January 13. In the meantime, they are working with customers to verify and correct data, reduce delays and resume their normal services.

Amazon reportedly stopped selling products under its "Amazon Pantry" brand earlier this week.

Amazon Prime Pantry is Amazon's first foray into groceries. The service, first launched in the US in 2014, allows members to choose from thousands of items, including food and beverages, alcohol, beauty and personal care items, household goods, pet supplies, and save time going to the store. The service was initially available only to Amazon Prime members, but later became a $5 subscription option.

“As part of our commitment to providing the best experience for customers, we’ve decided to move Amazon Grocery Selection to Amazon Prime stores so customers can get everyday household products faster and without additional subscription or purchase requirements.”
—Amazon spokesperson

It’s interesting that Amazon discontinued the service while we’re in the middle of a pandemic, but it looks like the market would prefer to give consumers the freedom to buy essentials without having to pay for a subscription service.

The products will still be sold on Amazon.com, just without the accompanying pantry branding, and Prime members at eligible locations will still benefit from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods.

(Source: Seller Growth Academy )