From 01/01/2021, lorries carrying goods from the UK to the EU will need to carry the appropriate customs import documents for the goods they are carrying. Documents could be checked at the UK departure points or the EU port of arrival.
This will be regardless of whether the UK and the EU strike a free trade deal.
It is generally the responsibility of the importer/exporter to provide this documentation to the shipping company, however the driver must hold it and present it to the border officials.
Drivers without the correct documentation will not be allowed to continue their journeys and may cause queues of cars on the roads approaching the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel.
Good to know
To help hauliers make sure they have the right documents, the UK Government is launching a web service called ‘Check if a vehicle is ready to cross the border’. Transport companies will make an online declaration which includes the details of the truck, the destination, the planned date of travel, the details of the consignments and a series of self-declarations to confirm that the customs and import/export documents are correct and carried on board.
At the end of the declaration, a Kent Digital Access Permit (KAP) will be issued which will allow the truck to use Kent roads to travel to the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel. If a KAP application is rejected, the truck will not be road ready until the missing documentation is provided.
Access to strategic roads in Kent will be denied to lorries without a valid KAP. Trucks driving on these roads without a KAP can be fined £300.
The web service is currently in beta, but the final version should be ready in December 2020.
The Danish Posting of Workers Act
From 01.01.2021, a new Danish law on the posting of workers is expected to come into force with a posting declaration to be drawn up by the Danish Business Authority.
This means that the vast majority of transport companies have to pay drivers the hourly wage part in accordance with the Danish national collective agreement for the transport sector when carrying out transport in Denmark.
More information will appear in future articles as the Danish authorities move forward with the legislation.
