IRELAND could have an open border after Brexit, a customs expert has told MPs.
Lars Karlsson, a former senior officer in Swedish customs, told the House of Commons Brexit committee that a "smart border" could mean there would be no need to have any new infrastructure between the north and Republic.
But he agreed that a fully operational "smart border" is not in use anywhere in the world.
Mr Karlsson said the border between EU member Sweden and Norway, which is not in the bloc, is "60-75% a smart border with the potential to be improved further".
He said for a smart border to work a comprehensive "trusted trader" scheme should be set up.
The scheme would allow companies to have fewer customs checks.
Mr Karlsson suggested that companies who are not part of the scheme could have their goods inspected at facilities away from the border.
He also said mobile cross-border controls would have to be established to tackle smuggling.
Mr Karlsson said the shape of the border would depend on negotiations.
"It doesn't have to be gates, it's doesn't have to be number plate readers, it doesn't have to be CCTV readers, it's up to both sides to decide on the security level," he said.
The EU and UK have not reached agreement on the border despite progress on other Brexit issues.
A "backstop" position which would see the north effectively remain within the single market and customs union was included in the latest document released by the EU and UK.
