The logistics industry has been caught out by Britain’s decision to leave the EU, after it emerged that fewer than one in five firms have prepared a post-Brexit plan.

A survey of 320 logistics companies conducted by LogisticsManager.com found that 81.6 per cent hadn’t prepared an action plan if UK voters chose to end its 43-year membership of the EU.

This is in spite of more than half (52 per cent) acknowledging that a Brexit would have a negative impact on their business.

When asked what were their main concerns over the UK quitting the EU, 71 per cent cited the subsequent economic instability, while 56 per cent listed currency value; a concern which has already proven well-founded after the pound fell to its lowest point since 1985, hours after news of the Brexit vote broke.

Another 52 per cent were concerned about how Brexit would impact trade deals with companies with Europe, while the possible reduction in migrant workers bothered 17 per cent.

Transport companies could face new costs, restrictions, and bureaucratic requirements on moving goods across the European border, the Freight Transport Association warned.