Any trade deal struck at this late stage before the Brexit transition ends on Dec. 31 is likely to be thin, and businesses have voiced concern about the uncertainty on trade flows.

Following are some of the likely knock-on effects on industries from the start of January.

HAULAGE:

The British government has warned that there will be disruption at its ports with or without a deal, as Britain leaves the single market and the customs union.

In a worst case scenario with a trade deal, 7,000 trucks heading for the Channel ports in south-east England could be held in 100-km (62-mile) queues if companies do not prepare the extra paperwork required.

Richard Burnett, head of Britain's Road Haulage Association (RHA), warned that many European drivers would simply stop coming to Britain if they risk sitting for days in queues.

The European Commission set out contingency measures on Thursday to maintain connections by road freight and for road passengers for six months, avoiding for now the need for UK hauliers to apply for a limited number of permits.

CARS

The impact of no deal would be felt sharply by the car industry in both Britain and the EU, with British automakers facing a 10% tariff on all car exports to the EU and up to 22% for trucks and vans, auto industry associations have warned.

The bill would almost certainly be passed on to consumers, it added, predicting 57.7 billion euros ($69.9 billion) in costs for EU plants and costs of 52.8 billion euros for UK plants over five years.

A "no deal" Brexit would cut UK vehicle production by 2 million units over the next five years and undercut the industry's ability to develop the next generation of zero-emission vehicles, according to Britain's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Carmakers in Britain have bolstered supplies of parts to keep production going or have been securing additional supply routes.

Bentley, the luxury carmaker owned by Volkswagen, has booked five Antonov cargo jets to help overcome potential supply problems.

FOOD/SUPERMARKETS:

With nearly a third of Britain's food coming from the EU, grocers fear significant disruption to their supply chains when the Brexit transition period ends. Delays of even a few days at ports could make fresh produce unsaleable and lead to shortages.

Grocers will seek to use alternative routes to the main Calais-Dover sea crossing, but options are limited and some ports are already congested.

Britain's retailers have warned that without a tariff-free trade deal, consumers face higher prices.

In May, the UK government published a tariff schedule, which would apply from Jan. 1 2021 if a deal was not agreed.

Under the schedule, 85% of foods imported from the EU will face tariffs of more than 5%, including 48% on beef mince and 16% on cucumbers. The average tariff on food imported from the EU would be over 20%.

AVIATION/CHANNEL TUNNEL

Under current arrangements, UK and EU airlines can fly any routes they wish within the bloc.

The EU contingency measures set out on Thursday would maintain "certain air services" between Britain and the EU for up to six months, provided London ensures the same.

Air safety measures would continue to be recognised, to avoid grounding aircraft. The measures would allow carriers to continue to fly over each others' territories, make stops and provide services.

Separate regulation, if approved by EU member states, would allow the Channel Tunnel road and rail link to continue for two months, until Britain and France agree new safety and supervision certificates that are set to expire.

PHARMACEUTICALS

Pharmaceutical production in the 27 EU countries would be hit by a no deal scenario to the tune of 4.6 billion euros annually, with Ireland and Belgium worst affected, according to a report funded by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations https://www.efpia.eu/media/554655/eu-uk-scenario-impact-for-the-pharmaceutical-industry-2020-final.pdf(EFPIA)

UK pharmaceutical exports are expected to drop by 22.5% in a no-deal outcome, the report added.

Many medicines will remain exempt from tariffs but there will be higher costs caused by any failure to agree an extension of existing cooperation on product manufacturing and testing. ($1 = 0.8260 euros)

(Compiled by Keith Weir, Editing by William Maclean)