Lunar New Year 2024 - Key dates and impact on logistics

DACHSER update on the Russia-Ukraine conflict

DACHSER is following the news from Ukraine with great concern and dismay. We are deeply moved by the suffering that the war has brought to the people in the country and to all those who have had to flee their homeland in recent days. The fighting, mutual sanctions and airspace closures are also having a massive impact on supply chains and the supply of goods in the region.

Market info update on Brexit: Phase 3 of the UK Border Operating Model

Last year, the British government presented how the import of goods should proceed after the end of the transitional phase of the Brexit. With the so-called "Border Operating Model" guide, a three-stage plan for the introduction of customs controls was concretized.

With the entry into phase 3 of the guideline, the UK customs procedures set in motion as part of the Brexit take another important milestone. DACHSER is continuously adapting to these changes in customs and transport procedures so that goods are transported across the border largely smoothly. From January 01, 2022, border controls will be strengthened. In the future, an electronic export declaration will then be required at the border. In addition, a new IT system for goods movements to and from the UK, the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), will be introduced. 

The manual EIDR (Entry Declarants Record) procedure, which allows goods to be moved across the border using the trader's EORI number, will no longer be permitted from 01 January 2022. Instead, an electronic Simplified Customs Declaration Process (SCDP) must be followed. The GVMS is already used for transit movements. However, starting January 01, 2022, the customs declaration will be assigned to a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) created in GVMS, automating the border control process. The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), in turn, links the customs declaration and GMR, so that vehicles no longer need to stop at the border. 

Unless you instruct us otherwise, DACHSER will take care of linking the customs declaration and GMR. If you wish to take care of the customs declaration yourself - either in-house or via an external customs service provider - please inform DACHSER of the customs declaration number for import clearance. DACHSER enters the so-called Import Release Reference (IRR) into GVMS so that the goods can cross the border.

In addition, from 01 January 2022, imports of products of animal origin (POAO) and certain animal by-products (ABP) from the EU into the UK must be pre-notified via the “Import of products, animals, food and feed system” (IPAFFS). These product categories, as well as plants and plant-based products, do not need to be physically inspected until 01 July 2022. Their inspection will be gradually introduced for each product category from 01 July to 01 November 2022. Please refer to the attached document for details. Please inform DACHSER if you would like to use the above additional services for your products. Should you wish to make the customs declaration for POAO, ABP or plant or plant-based products yourself, you are also responsible for the declaration in IPAFFS.

Over the course of 2022, additional changes will gradually come into effect. Of particular note are import safety and security declarations, also known as ENS, beginning July 1, 2022. As implementation approaches, more information will be required on ENS and inspections on POAO, certain ABP, and plant and plant-based products.

This information provided applies to network shipments carried on our groupage service and part and full trailer load movements. In order to be prepared for the new control procedures, the DACHSER network has collectively reviewed its processes and adapted them where necessary. HMRC, the UK's HM Revenue & Customs, has set up a hotline for questions about customs and international trade: Call 0300 322 9434 for help with imports, exports and customs reliefs. The hotline is staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. UK time on weekends.

Useful links

You can send HMRC your import and export questions at the following link. You will also find a webchat function here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/customs-international-trade-and-excise-enquiries

HMRC has set up a dedicated support service for exporting traders to help them with practical questions about exporting from the UK to Europe:

https://www.gov.uk/ask-export-support-team

HMRC's YouTube channel also features other helpful videos and webinars on customs procedures.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/customs-international-trade-and-excise-enquiries

Hard Brexit: Important measures beforehand

Even though there are some movements in the negotiations between EU and UK, still the “No deal” Brexit at the October 31st, 2019 cannot be excluded.

The consequences of a withdrawal without a deal on 31st October, especially for the movement of goods to and from the UK, are well known. First and foremost, longer waiting times would be expected due to border controls and customs clearance of all goods in accordance with WTO rules.

DACHSER will take appropriate measures to ensure that all goods arriving/leaving the UK after 23.00 GMT (00.00 CET) on 31st October are cleared and taxed accordingly.

With this letter we would like to summarize again the most important points and measures to keep the effects and delays in delivery for our customers as low as possible.

In case of Hard Brexit, the following information and documents must be available for customs clearance before the goods are collected:

• Consignment note
• Commercial invoice / pro forma invoice
• Packing list / delivery note
• Export accompanying document (can be issued by us if necessary)
• Preference documents and other product-specific documents, only if possible and required

Please make sure that these documents contain the following information: Sender with EORI number, recipient with contact details, importer if different to recipient with contact details, sequential invoice number, Incoterms, number and type of packages, description of goods, country of origin, Taric code, value of goods, currency, gross/net weight.

Please pay attention to a high data quality of the information - the documents must fit definitely to the respective physical transmission.

If the documents are made available to us in electronic form, they should correspond to a resolution of 300dpi if possible.

In addition, we need the contact person for customs including the contact details of your consignee/importer (e-mail address) so that we can contact them in order to obtain the necessary customs power of attorney. We need these in order to be able to carry out the necessary customs clearance. Without the power of attorney we can not do the customs clearance.

Please do also note, that we also will need more detailed shipment information like number and type of packages, description of goods, value of the goods, if you have got shipments to Ireland via UK territory, as we will have to issue a transit procedure through UK. For the beginning we also recommend that you add a T2L to those shipments as we are not yet sure, if Ireland customs will accept T2 as a proof for goods in free circulation of EU after transit via UK. 

Within our eLogistics application the possible incoterms will be changed due to the customs. At the beginning only FCA/EXW or DAP are possible in eLogisitcs in order to ensure the process. Also the EDI information regarding the incoterms have to be adapted, the responsible person from your branch will contact you in order to align the necessary changes.

We ask for your understanding and cooperation so that DACHSER can make your flow of goods as efficient and trouble-free as possible in this exceptional case of hard Brexit.

The most important measures for preparation we have stated additionally in our Brexit checklist.

Please do not hesitate to contact your DACHSER branch if you have any further questions.