Introduction
New customs rules will apply to freight traffic after Brexit. The most obvious change will be at check-in, both in Dover or in Calais or Dunkirk. The driver of every freight vehicles will have to:
If you are sending a laden lorry or van to Dover after Brexit, you will need to ensure that the driver has a customs document for the load before he reaches the port. The customs document may differ, depending on the purpose for which the goods are being moved – the various scenarios are outlined below. Unless the vehicle is empty, the driver must have at least one customs document.
The document will demonstrate that the goods have been declared to customs. After Brexit, all goods must be declared to customs before crossing the Channel in either direction. The driver himself is not responsible for declaring the goods in his vehicle, but he will need to show a document to demonstrate that someone else (usually the exporter and/or importer) has declared them.
After check-in, the journey through Dover will be the same as it is now. Logistics managers and drivers themselves can look forward to the usual swift and efficient transit through the port and high standard of service on board the ship.
Export to France via Lorry
Exports from the UK to France must receive export clearance in the UK and must be pre-declared for importation into France before the lorry reaches Dover. These are two separate processes, and you will need to arrange for two separate documents to be given to the driver when he collects the goods from the exporter’s premises:
The driver will not usually be asked to show the export-accompanying document at Dover. If he is stopped for a security examination by the Border Force, he should be ready to produce it on request.
The driver must show the French Customs document to his ferry operator at check-in in Dover. The ferry operator will scan the barcode, and then give the document back to the driver. When check-in is complete, the lorry will proceed through the port to the ship.
Screens on board the ship will show whether each lorry has been cleared to drive straight out of the port on arrival (green) or has been selected for examination (amber). Drivers should consult the screens during the voyage and follow the appropriate signs on disembarkation.
Imports from France via a Lorry
Imports from France to the UK must receive export clearance in France and must be pre-declared for importation into the UK before the lorry reaches Calais or Dunkirk. These are two separate processes, and you will need to arrange for two separate documents to be given to the driver when he collects the goods from the exporter’s premises in France:
At check-in in Calais or Dunkirk, the driver must show the French Customs document to his ferry operator. The ferry operator will scan the barcode, and then give the document back to the driver. When check-in is complete, the lorry will proceed through the port to the ship.
On disembarkation in Dover, the driver should drive straight out of the port unless directed, at the Border Force customs control point, to pull into an examination area. The driver should be ready to produce the document showing the HMRC reference number if asked to do so during an examination.
After leaving the port, the driver is free to drive straight to the delivery address, unless the Border Force have given alternative instructions.
But if the driver’s bundle includes a CITES licence (for goods covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), he will need to stop at the customs office in the Western Docks (SATNAV code CT17 9TF) and get the licence stamped there, before delivering the goods.
Empty Lorries
No customs paperwork is required for empty Lorries. Customs controls apply only to goods: if there are no goods inside the vehicle, there are no customs controls.
At check-in in Dover (if travelling out to France) or in Calais or Dunkirk (if travelling in to the UK), the driver will need to inform the ferry operator that his vehicle is empty. When check-in is complete, the vehicle will proceed through the port to the ship.
On disembarkation after the voyage, the driver should drive straight out of the port unless directed to stop.
Animal and/or Plant Health Controls
The check-in process will be the same, regardless of the nature of the goods in the vehicle. Some goods, such as food, will be subject to animal and/or plant health controls as well as customs controls, but the driver will not need to produce any health certificates for these goods in Dover. At check-in, the driver should simply inform the ferry operator if his vehicle contains live animals, animal products, fish or plant products.
All animal and plant health controls on goods arriving in Dover from the EU will be performed inland, at either the importer’s premises or another inland site. The importer will be required to notify the appropriate UK agency that his goods are arriving. This notification process is separate from the transport of the goods, and imposes no obligation on the driver or operator of the vehicle.
Animal and plant health controls on goods leaving Dover for France will be performed in Calais or Dunkirk. Vehicles containing goods that require animal and/or plant health controls will be shown on the amber (“selected for examination”) list on the screens on board the ship. After disembarkation in Calais or Dunkirk, drivers should follow the appropriate signs to the examination area.
Wherever animal or plant health examinations are performed – either inland (in the UK) or at the port (in France) – a health document will be needed: a Common Veterinary Entry Document for animal products, or a Common Entry Document for plant products. The most reliable way to ensure that the document is available is for the driver to carry it in his lorry.
Therefore, if you are despatching a lorry that contains animal or plant products, you should ensure that the driver has the necessary health document. You should also ensure that the lorry is sealed and that the number of the seal is recorded on the document, so that the document can be matched to the lorry during the examination.
Unaccompanied Trailers
Unaccompanied trailer park facilities are available in the Eastern Docks.
The charging rate for demurrage in the Unaccompanied Trailer Park in the Eastern Docks is £73.85 per 24 hours or part thereof.
Trailers, which are collected within a 24-hour period, are exempt from charges. Trailers, which exceed the first 24 hour period, will be charged for the entire duration of their stay, calculated from the time and date of arrival.
Hazardous Goods and Abnormal Loads
Hazardous Goods – The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Area Regulations 1987 require you to notify us if you are carrying hazardous goods before you bring them into the Ferry Terminal (Eastern Docks) or Freight Clearance Facility (Western Docks).
At the Port of Dover, details of hazardous goods should be notified to Terminal Control by fax. The number is: +44 (0) 1304 215793.
All hazardous goods must also be declared to your ferry operator.
Vehicles carrying hazardous goods must be correctly labelled and drivers must have appropriate documentation.
Abnormal Loads
If any of the following are exceeded, the vehicle will be classified as an Abnormal Load and approval will be required before the vehicle can pass through the Port of Dover:
To submit an Abnormal Load Notification, please click on the link below, which will redirect you to the relevant website. Please note you will need to use Google Chrome as your browser.
Download the Ab-Load notification form from the link below:
https://www.doverport.co.uk/ferry/abnormal-load-notification/
Where an abnormal load arrives at the Port without a suitable escort/approval for its immediate onward travel, the following charges will be payable in respect of the time that the abnormal load is held in the Port pending arrival of the escort/approval.
| 0 – 24 hours | £100.00 |
| 24 – 48 hours | £200.00 |
| 48 – 72 hours | £300.00 |
| Subsequent charge, per day | £100.00 |
Current Ferry Operator e-mail addresses:
