Island businesses could benefit from changes aimed at preventing backlogs at British ports in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Under the plans announced by HMRC, goods from Europe will be waved through without checks at certain British ports, including Heysham and Liverpool, for a temporary period if the UK leaves the EU without an agreement.

Importers will be also be allowed to defer payment of duty for a month.

Some 20 UK ports will be subject to the simplified import procedures - Dover, Felixstowe, Fishguard, Harwich, Heysham, Holyhead, Hull, Immingham, Killingholme, Liverpool, Newhaven, Pembroke, Plymouth, Poole, Portsmouth, Purfleet, Sheerness, Teesport, Tilbury and Port of Tyne.

Douglas, which is not classed as a roll-on, roll-off port, is not included.

Critics say safety could be compromised as no one will know what’s coing through the ports.

A government spokesman said: ’The measures announced by HMRC relate to the Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP) which have been put in place to facilitate the movement of goods in the initial period after the UK leaves the EU, should there be a no deal.

’These new procedures reduce the amount of information someone importing goods needs to give at the time the goods cross the border. They also allow importers to defer the payment of any duty due until the month after import.

’These new procedures will reduce the requirement for customs checks at the border and aim to reduce pressure at the ports although it should be noted that they only relate to goods moving through roll on roll off locations and Douglas is not a roll-on, roll-off location.’

’As the Isle of Man has a Customs and Excise Agreement with the UK these new procedures will be available to Isle of Man businesses importing goods through the UK.’

Relatively few goods are imported into the Isle of Man directly from the EU, with the vast majority shipped from the UK.

Details of how goods coming in from Douglas will be handled after the EU withdrawal have yet to be established, pending clarification on the exact shape that Brexit will take.

The spokesman added: ’There are relatively few goods brought directly from the EU, most goods destined for the Isle of Man are imported through the UK.

’In respect of the goods coming directly from Dublin, we understand the UK are still trying to avoid a hard border whatever the circumstances and have not issued any guidance on importations from, or exports to, Ireland.

’The treatment of goods coming from Dublin will depend on the UK’s further discussions with the EU; only once we have confirmation of this can we determine the level of resources required at the port in Douglas.’