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Keep Your Freight Moving

Alex Grear
  • Updated

Welcome to the Brexit support hub. We’ve compiled GOV.UK resources to help you keep your loads moving across borders after 1st January 2021.

As you know, doing business with Europe has now changed. You’ll need to follow new rules for imports, exports, freight forwarding and international road haulage.

This guide provides our hauliers and drivers with the following information:

  • Documents needed
  • How to follow new rules to manage traffic heading to ports
  • New border control processes

To get a personalised list of actions for your business, you can use HMRC’s Brexit checker: https://www.gov.uk/transition.

 

IN THIS ARTICLE:

 

New Rules for Importers, Exporters and Hauliers/3PL

Importers

The rules for importing goods from the UK into the EU and vice versa have changed. Here’s what you’ll need to import goods post-Brexit successfully: 

1.  Your business needs an EORI number
An EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification number), will be needed for completing your safety and security declarations. This is available here: https://www.gov.uk/eori.
Alternatively, you can call HMRC on 0300 322 7067. It can take up to 5 working days to receive your EORI number upon application

2.  Commodity Codes for all goods you’re moving
You’ll need these codes for your customs declarations and will also need to be shared with whoever is completing your customs declarations.
Commodity codes can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff.

3.  Save your Commodity Codes for easy access when you need them

Once you have your commodity codes, we advise you to save them somewhere handy, preferably digitally, so you can create export and import documents efficiently without any delays.

4.  Prepare for Import Safety and Security Declarations (SSD)

Safety and Security Declarations, also referred to as “entry and exit summary declarations”, need to be completed so that HMRC can assess the risk of your load or goods being imported and easily monitor what is moving across the borders. The other country’s equivalent of our HMRC will also need this SSD to evaluate the risk of the loads being moved into their country.

It’s the haulier’s responsibility to have these SSD documents with them, but still the exporter or importer’s duty to provide them with the information they need to complete the forms.


5.  Apply for a Duty Deferment Account

This allows you to pay for import, excise and customs duties by monthly direct debit. Once you have this account, you can also apply for CFSP (Customs Freight Simplified Procedures) which simplifies and speeds up the customs process by submitting supplementary declarations.

Duty Deferment accounts take up to 90 days to process, so apply as soon as possible.

Click here for more information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-which-type-of-account-to-apply-for-to-defer-duty-payments-when-you-import-goods.

6.  Apply for Simplified Declarations

When making a customs declaration, you can make a simplified declaration when the goods arrive at the UK or EU port. Apply for Simplified Declarations here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/using-simplified-declarations-for-imports.

7.  Ensure commercial invoices have the right information for customs declarations

Reach out to your customs agent or logistics company to confirm that all the details on your commercial invoices are correct.

8.  Apply for Import Licenses

As of 1st January 2021, you might be required to have an import license or certificate to transport certain goods between the UK and the EU.

If you need to apply for an import license, you can do so here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-licences-and-certificates-from-1-january-2021?step-by-step-nav=1ddb4c89-1fe9-4ad0-b561-c1b0158e6bc5.

9.  Check Incoterms with your supplier

You need to ensure shipping and delivery responsibilities are clearly written down and understood. You must pay close attention to these terms as you’ll only pay duty on the goods’ value and not for transportation or insurance.

10. Get your ATA Carnet for temporary goods transportation out of the UK

The ATA Carnet is an international customs document allowing you temporary importation of commercial samples, professional equipment or goods.

Apply for an ATA Carnet here: https://www.gov.uk/taking-goods-out-uk-temporarily/get-an-ata-carnet.

 

Exporters
The post-Brexit rules for Exporters are the same as for Importers, with the only exception being an Export license.

If you need to apply for an export license, click here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-licences-and-certificates-from-1-january-2021?step-by-step-nav=1faad9b3-e5ef-47f6-a3ba-4715e7e4f263.

 

Hauliers/3PL
The rules for hauliers moving freight from the UK into the EU and vice versa have changed. Here’s what you’ll need to move freight post-Brexit successfully:

1.  Your business needs an EORI number
An EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification number), will be needed for completing your safety and security declarations. This is available here: https://www.gov.uk/eori.

Alternatively, you can call HMRC on 0300 322 7067.

It can take up to 5 working days to receive your EORI number upon application.

2.  Correct driver/vehicle documents

 Driver documents required:

  • Valid Passport
  • CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence Card)
  • IDP (International Driving Permit)

Vehicle documents required:

  • Vehicle tax | Vehicle Operator’s License - if vehicle gross plated weight > 3.5 tonnes or unladen weight > 1.5 tonnes | 3 licenses depending on vehicle usage: Standard, Standard International or Restricted

Apply online (a decision is reached within 7 weeks): https://www.gov.uk/apply-vehicle-operator-licence.

 

  • Specialist ADR test to transport Dangerous Goods - contact the DVSA to book a test ADRBooking@dvsa.gov.uk | Fax: 01792 454367.

 

3.  Import Safety and Security Declarations (SSD)

Please note: These declarations are the Haulier’s sole responsibility to complete.

Safety and Security Declarations, also referred to as “entry and exit summary declarations”, need to be completed so that HMRC can assess the risk of your load or goods being imported and easily monitor what is moving across the borders. The other country’s equivalent of our HMRC will also need this SSD to evaluate the risk of the loads being moved into their country.

 

4.  Register your trailer for use in the EU (excluding Ireland)

All UK trailers used in international commercial road haulage (except Ireland) above 750 kgs must be registered.

Apply online at https://www.gov.uk/register-trailer-to-take-abroad.

 

5.  Provide accurate CMR / Consignment notes

It is likely these will be checked against customs declarations.

 

6.  Apply for International Drivers Permits (IDP)

Available at selected post offices. More information available at https://www.postoffice.co.uk/international-driving-permit.

 

7.  Know which freight needs to go through Border Control

Some goods will need to go to a Border Control point as soon as you get off the ferry/tunnel. If you are carrying multiple loads, this could delay your vehicle.

 

8.  Ensure you have all relevant licenses and documents for border control

There are rules/licenses required for transporting specific freight. The driver may need to follow set routes or stop at specific checkpoints if they’re transporting mixed loads.

A booking needs to be made 24 hours before movement/arrival at the port.

Check the rules for:

 

9.  Subscribe to any mandatory port services

Some ports, including those in Belgium and the Netherlands, require pre-notification of customs documents before you can enter the terminal. Without this, you may be denied access.

 

10.  Prepare the right documents/references

Drivers will need certain documents/references ready two hours before they arrive at the ENTRY border:

  • Clearance documents
  • GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement System)
  • Safety and Security Declarations
  • Transit Accompanying Document (TAD)
  • Apply for KAP (Kent Access Permit) using 'Check an HGV is Ready to Cross the Border' service

 

Checklist for crossing the border

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for journeys from England to France:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-journeys-from-england-to-france

  • Apply for operator licences and permits:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#apply-for-operator-licences-and-permits

  • Register your vehicle trailers:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#register-your-vehicle-trailers

  • Get specialist vehicle approvals:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#get-specialist-vehicle-approvals  

  • Get the right vehicle documents:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#get-the-right-vehicle-documents  

  • Make sure your driver is eligible to drive abroad:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#make-sure-your-driver-is-eligible-to-drive-abroad  

  • Complete a road consignment (CMR) note:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#complete-a-road-consignment-cmr-note  

  • Check an HGV is ready to cross the border (Kent Access Permit):

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#check-an-hgv-is-ready-to-cross-the-border-kent-access-permit  

  • Follow Kent traffic management plans:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#follow-kent-traffic-management-plans  

  • Customs and document checks away from ports:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#customs-and-document-checks-away-from-ports  

  • Check local road rules:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#check-local-road-rules  

  • What to do if your vehicle is involved in a road accident:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/carry-out-international-road-haulage#what-to-do-if-your-vehicle-is-involved-in-a-road-accident  

 

UK Hauliers: documents, licences and permits

For more detailed information about documents, licenses and permits required post-Brexit, use the following helpful links:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driver-documents-required-for-international-road-haulage

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/transporting-goods-between-great-britain-and-the-eu-from-1-january-2021-guidance-for-hauliers

  

Links to other EU Member States websites

Please use the following links for more information about border regulations in the EU:

France

French Customs contact information:

 

Netherlands

(Portbase is the Port Community System that you must use for import and export at all Dutch ports.)


Belgium

Germany

Denmark

Sweden

Finland

 

Other Member State links

 

Guidance for HGVs leaving the UK via Dover or Eurotunnel

HGV drivers or designated hauliers must use the ‘Check an HGV is ready to cross the border’ service when going via Dover or Eurotunnel.

Drivers must have a Kent Access Permit before their HGV travels through Kent, regardless of whether the HGC is carrying freight or not. If the vehicle is empty or transporting post, the driver must still declare this using the check service and obtain a valid Kent Access permit.

Get your Kent Access permit here: https://www.gov.uk/check-hgv-border

 


💡TOP TIP!

HGV drivers must ensure they have enough food and water in case of delays at the border.

HGV drivers can find out about motorway service areas along their route to help plan their journeys here: http://www.trafficengland.com/motorway-service-areas

 

 

The Kent Access Permit is valid for 24 hours only. If HGV drivers fail to produce the Kent Access Permit upon arrival at the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel, they could be fined £300.

 

Safety and security declarations

EU safety and security declarations must be made 1 hour before arrival in the EU (if going by Eurotunnel) or 2 hours if going by Dover.

  • It’s the haulier’s legal responsibility to have one when entering France.
  • Your customs intermediary should fill this form in for you, before travel.
  • Please ensure that this is done ahead of transit.

If you’re denied entry into France and turned back due to not having a safety and security declaration, you'll need to contact your customs intermediary.

 

Eurotunnel guidance

Download the Eurotunnel app for greater convenience when crossing the border: https://driver.eurotunnelfreight.com/

 

Read about Eurotunnel Border Pass regulations here:

https://file-eu.clickdimensions.com/eurotunnelfreightcom-aijgd/files/eurotunnelborderpasssalespresentation.pdf

https://file-eu.clickdimensions.com/eurotunnelfreightcom-aijgd/files/bereadytocrosstheborder_version10112020_uk.pdf

https://www.eurotunnelfreight.com/uk/about/brexit-questions-and-answers/

 

COVID Testing Sites

HGVs leaving England for France can only cross the Channel with evidence of an authorised negative COVID test, that has been conducted within the 72-hour period before their departure.

We strongly urge our HGV drivers heading to the Port of Dover to ensure they have a negative COVID test before travelling to Kent. Free COVID-19 tests for HGV, LGV, and van drivers are available at some haulier information and advice sites.

For more information, use these links:

https://uk.ambafrance.org/List-of-antigen-tests-authorized-for-entry-to-France-from-UK-29434

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/haulier-advice-site-locations

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-opens-further-covid-19-testing-locations-for-hauliers-heading-to-france

 

Useful acronyms to know

Screenshot_2021-01-08_at_14.01.12.png

Image credit: Eurotunnel Le shuttle, Border Pass guide (9/11/2020)

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