Brexit Customs information
Please update yourself with the following information based on your interest.
- The governments on both sides of the Irish Sea have developed customs models that are designed to preserve, as far as possible, the free flow of fast moving RoRo traffic through ports.
- UK: All Irish Sea routes to/from UK will operate under the UK’s ‘Pre-Lodgement’ customs model.
- Republic of Ireland: Dublin and Rosslare ports will operate under the ‘Pre-Boarding Notification’ rules within the Republic of Ireland ‘Customs Roll-on Roll-off Service’.
- The core requirement under both of these models is that all necessary declarations – export and import, including safety and security – will need to be completed prior to check in at the port of departure, without exception.
- These models will each generate a single ‘envelope ID’ reference number that will be used at check in to validate that all declarations have been completed.
- Ferry bookings will need to be updated with the Goods Movement Reference number (GMR) from the UK Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), and the ROI Pre-Boarding Notification reference number (PBN) from the Customs Roll-On Roll-Off Service – as appropriate, according to shipping route – before check in can take place. Without the relevant references against a booking, you will not be able to check in or enter the port / drop a trailer.
Please note
- With additional processes to undertake prior to boarding, check-in times will be fully applied from 1st January 2021 and may need to be amended as procedures are clarified.
- Please ensure that your supply chain lead-times reflect the need to make full declarations prior to check-in.
- UK: The customs model for Great Britain ports on the North Sea is to be confirmed subject to further information and clarification from UK Government.
- The Netherlands: Customs processes at Hoek van Holland and Rotterdam will be handled via the Portbase port community system. Further information is available here & here
Please note
- With additional processes to undertake prior to boarding, check-in times will be fully applied from 1st January 2021 and may need to be amended as procedures are clarified.
- Please ensure that your supply chain lead-times reflect the need to make full declarations prior to check-in.
- The location of customs and SPS / veterinary inspection facilities for our port locations will be confirmed in due course.
- Many food and SPS products / Products of Animal Origin (POAO), as well as live animal shipments, that were previously in free circulation will require pre-notification to relevant authorities 24 hours in advance of arrival. Customers should familiarise themselves with all requirements and be aware of potential impacts on supply chain lead times.