The group has called for “pragmatic solutions” to regulatory checks that will apply to imports from January 2021, including certificates of origin, transit certificates or barcodes, customs valuation documents and destination paperwork.

The BRC has urged the Government to establish new import and export processes and “all necessary infrastructure now” as a priority if it is to shield shoppers from the threat of higher prices and reduced choice.

In its report, ‘A Fair Deal for Consumers: EU Trade Roadmap’, the BRC said the problem would be “particularly acute” in the grocery sector. UK retailers currently import almost 80% of their food from the EU, most of which comes into Britain through Dover and Folkestone.