From 1st January 2021, this will mean a lot of changes for a variety of businesses, including those that carry their goods with us here at Eurotunnel Freight.
It can be a stressful time for those looking to export or import goods after Brexit, which is why we want to reassure all our Eurotunnel Freight customers that we are doing all we can to minimise any potential disruption moving forward.
We’ve put together a handy guide for those looking to either export or import goods from the UK after Brexit, with all you need to know beforehand.
Border documentation
To ensure a smooth journey with no interruptions, we strongly recommend that all of your documentation is up to date before you arrive at one of our terminals.
You must make pre-declarations to all the relevant authorities. To speed up arrival on our terminals, you can then put these declarations into the Eurotunnel Border Pass online.
All documents can be sent to us through your online booking account. Once uploaded, you will be given a unique reference code which acts as your Eurotunnel Border Pass. This code will then be linked to your vehicle's registration number, ensuring your vehicle will be recognised and clear for passage without unnecessary delays at the required Pit Stop.
Travelling from the UK to France
As a UK legal requirement, trucks travelling to France will be required to have a Kent Access permit before arriving at Eurotunnel from 1 January 2021 onwards.
Customers looking to travel from our Folkestone terminal will be able to confirm if they have made their customs declarations directly on our check-in screens upon arrival.
We have also expanded our teams at our Pit Stops to ensure assistance can be provided to drivers 24/7. Our staff are available to scan border documents as required before boarding on the freight shuttle.
Upon arrival in Calais, we have also made the exit process simpler, with personalised information available for drivers upon leaving the terminal. This includes a traffic system, which indicates if you are clear to continue your journey or whether documentation checks may be required at the Centre Douane customs office.
Travelling from France to the UK
Many of the rules around exporting goods via freight after Brexit apply to the importing of goods into the UK as well. This means you will need to make a customs declaration on your goods as well as check the rules around the type of goods you are exporting.
However, we have made some additional changes at our Coquelles terminal to help improve the overall process for our customers. We have also expanded our teams at our Pit Stops area to ensure assistance can be provided to drivers 24/7.
We have also opened a brand-new truck Park “Le Truck Village” to provide additional parking spaces and many services for drivers.
At “Le Truck Village”, drivers will also be able to get some assistance from our ‘Eurotunnel Border Service’ team, which will be on hand to help with completing their border documents, including the ability to help print any additional documents that may be required.
Brexit and Eurotunnel Freight
Whether you are importing or exporting, these new changes are designed to help ensure your freight journey with us goes as smooth as possible.
For more information on Brexit and what that means for your freight journeys with us, visit our dedicated Brexit information page, or contact us today.
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