Westcoast advises partners to buy channel stock, not built-to-order products, ahead of Brexit leave date

Distributor says extra stock is set to arrive this month to help mitigate potential border disruption

Westcoast has advised partners to order channel stock, rather than built-to-order products, in the run up to Brexit to help avoid disruption.

In a blog post ahead of the scheduled leave date later this month, Westcoast warned that bespoke products, configured in the EU, could be subject to delays as worries over border blockages rumble on.

The distributor said it has "stepped up" its services capabilities to ensure that end-user hardware can be configured locally.

Westcoast also said that it has bolstered its inventory ahead of 29 March.

The distributor stated: "Westcoast has negotiated increased one-off stock-holding deals with its main hardware and supplies vendors which are beginning to arrive this month.

This will result in a significantly increased stock holding. While naturally not a long-term solution, it should mitigate any immediate shortfalls as delays at ports build up."

Westcoast added that it has been collecting commodity codes (mandatory for trade between the UK and the EU) for its products, with 73 per cent of its portfolio covered so far.

The distributor added that it will be required to show cost prices (the amount the reseller has paid Westcoast) on delivery documents, even for products delivered direct to end users. It acknowledged that this is "not ideal", but a necessity.

The blog added that Westcoast does not expect many of its shipments to be subject to physical customs checks, however it said that lengthy checks to other shipments at borders will affect its orders.

It noted that HMRC is expected to face a fivefold increase in the number of customs declarations made.

Delays are also expected on shipments that Westcoast will send from the UK to its Ireland operation in Dublin, with partners advised to contact their account manager.

Westcoast managing director Alex Tatham has previously accused some vendors of failing to put Brexit plans in place early enough.