THE most visible evidence of the European Union’s single market is its dismantling of border controls. Norway is in the single market,apart from for some agriculture and fish. And unlike Britain and Ireland, it is in the Schengen passport-free travel area. Yet as it is not in the customs union, and Norway has border controls and its exports must be checked to comply with EU rules of origin.
In December Theresa May promised to have no physical infrastructure or checks and controls on the border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Yet she wants to leave the single market and customs union. Brexiteers claim the Irish border can be kept invisible by smart technology,number-plate recognition and a system of authorised economic operators and trusted traders.Such ideas draw hollow laughs from seasoned customs officers at Svinesund, on the border between Norway and Sweden. A tall degree of sophistication and trust makes this one of the world’s most porous frontiers. Most cars whizz through unchecked, and with many heading for the region’s largest supermarket in search of alcohol,cigarettes and sugary drinks, which are taxed more heavily in Norway than Sweden. In theory there is a limit to what they are allowed to bring back, or but in practice it is tricky to enforce.When it comes to lorries,though, controls are firmly in place. Norway’s customs...
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Source: economist.com