What UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage?
New rules for international road haulage in 2022
There are new rules for transporting goods to or through Europe from 21 May 2022. These will affect you if you use vans or heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).
Prepare for new rules for transporting goods to or through Europe
Apply for operator licences and permits
To transport goods internationally by road, you need either a:
You will need other licences and permits, depending on the countries you are driving to or through.
Check which international road haulage permits you need.
Register your vehicle trailers
You must register these types of trailers before you drive to or through most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway:
Register your trailer to take it abroad.
Abnormal load trailers
You need a keeper’s certificate for an abnormal load trailer to use it abroad. Keep the certificate in the vehicle to show at border crossings.
Some countries measure abnormal loads differently from the UK. Check with each country you are travelling through, to find out if the load you are transporting counts as abnormal there.
Apply for a keeper’s certificate for an abnormal load trailer to use it abroad.
Get specialist vehicle approvals
You will need to get specialist vehicle approvals if you want to transport:
Get the right vehicle documents
Your driver will need to carry the right vehicle documents with them during international journeys. These include:
Your drivers do not need an insurance green card to drive in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland. You must still have suitable insurance.
Check what vehicle documents your drivers need to carry during international journeys.
Make sure your driver is eligible to drive abroad
Your driver will need to carry the right documents about themselves with them during international journeys. These include:
Check what documents your driver needs to carry about themselves during international journeys.
Make sure you are ready to import and export
You need to follow rules about import and export licences, getting an EORI number, classifying goods, getting your goods through customs, and keeping records.
There is different guidance if you are moving goods in and out of Northern Ireland.
Complete a road consignment (CMR) note
A road consignment (CMR) note is a standard contract used by companies who want to use a provider to transport goods internationally by road.
The CMR note confirms that the haulage company has received the goods and has a contract from the supplier to carry them.
You must have a CMR note on all international journeys if you are carrying goods on a commercial basis.
The CMR note can be filled in by either:
You will need 3 copies of a CMR note, including one:
You can buy pre-printed CMR notes from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Logistics UK.
Declare you are transporting goods inside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
Before your drivers transport goods between 2 points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway for commercial purposes, you must declare the details on an EU portal.
This includes:
You will get penalties if you do not make a declaration.
Declare you are transporting goods inside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
Check an HGV is ready to cross the border (Kent Access Permit)
You no longer need a Kent Access Permit (KAP) to enter Kent.
Staff at haulier advice sites can help you check that you have the paperwork you need to cross the border.
Follow Kent traffic management plans
There are measures to manage traffic flow in the event of disruption to Kent’s road network.
These measures are known as ‘Operation Brock’, and apply to HGVs over 7.5 tonnes if there is severe disruption to services from the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel.
Customs and document checks away from ports
Inland border facilities are UK government sites where customs and document checks take place away from port locations.
The facilities act as a government office of departure (for outbound journeys) and a government office of destination (for inbound journeys). You can start and end journeys at the facilities when moving goods in and out of the UK.
Checks carried out at inland border facilities
These checks are carried out at the facilities:
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Your drivers may need to go to an inland border facility if they enter or plan to exit the UK via Dover, Eurotunnel or Holyhead and need:
Your drivers may also be directed to an inland border facility:
Tell HMRC that you are going to be attending an inland border facility
You should tell HMRC in advance that you are attending an inland border facility because the goods you are moving:
This will help you be processed on site as quickly as possible.
Tell HMRC you are going to attend an inland border facility.
Check if there are any delays at inland border facilities.
Check local road rules
Some EU countries limit the times and days when HGVs can be driven on public roads.
Contact the British Embassy, in the country for advice on whether restrictions will apply to your route.
Check the road rules for European countries on the AA website.
Check travel advice for countries outside Europe.
What to do if your vehicle is involved in a road accident
Your drivers should contact their insurance provider if they are involved in a road accident in an EU country.
Any legal proceedings against either the responsible driver or the insurance provider of the vehicle need to be brought in the EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, depending on where the accident happened. You might have to make your claim in the local language.
You may not get compensation in some countries if the accident is caused by an uninsured driver or if the driver cannot be traced.
Get legal advice if you need more information about this.
