Firstly the outcome of Brexit is Britain has now left the European Union so operators now need to prepare measures to comply with regulations between Britain and the European Union, British Haulage Brexit Preparation!
A transition period will be in place until at least the 31st December 2020, keeping the UK inside the single market and customs Union.
For Road Haulage Companies this means no changes will apply in 2020 to the rules regarding:
- Tachograph Legislation
- Customs & Border processes for importing and exporting goods
- Vehicle Insurance
- Driving Licences
- Community Licences
- Driver and Management Certificates of Professional Competence (CPC)
- Passports & Identity documents
- CMR Notes
- European Health Cards (EHIC)
The rules around the list above will change for road haulage movements from the 1st January 2021.
Trade Negotiations
Over the course of 2020 negotiations will take place between the UK and EU Commission, these negotiations will relate to a possible free trade agreement and future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union from 1st January 2021.
International Haulage preparations from 1st January 2021
It is hoped that during 2020 the UK and EU will be able to set out the rules for international haulage to be in legislation from 1st January 2021, it is believed that progress will have been made in negotiations by July 2020.
These new rules are not yet known so no action can be taken by road hauliers around those future arrangements.
It is however clear that customs declarations will be required for the movement of goods between the UK and Europe from 1st January 2021.
Many details are uncertain but there are areas that basic preparation will need to be made.
| Issue | When | Action |
| Customs & Border Processes for exporting goods to EU | Now | Customs declarations will be required from 1.1.21. Traders must ensure they and their customers understand what paperwork will be required for customs. Ensure now that commercial invoices contain all the data that will be needed for customs declarations. The use of “transit” arrangements under the Common Transit Convention is expected to be a dominant process for international road haulage between the UK and EU. |
| Customs & Border Processes for importing goods from the EU | Now | Customs declarations will be required from 1.1.21. Traders must ensure they and their suppliers understand what paperwork will be required for customs. Ensure now that commercial invoices contain all the data that will be needed for customs declarations. The use of “transit” arrangements under the Common Transit Convention is expected to be a dominant process for international road haulage between the EU and UK |
| Regulatory Processes for sending goods between NI and GB | Wait | Some form of customs declaration will be needed. These will be defined in coming months. |
| CMR Notes | Now | Operators need to ensure that CMR Notes are routinely completed to a high standard, with correct goods descriptions and other details. |
| Community Licences | Wait | Arrangements will become clearer as negotiations proceed. |
| Driving Licences | Wait | Arrangements will become clearer as negotiations proceed. |
| Driver & Transport Manager CPC | Wait | Arrangements will become clearer as negotiations proceed. |
| Tachographs | Wait | Expect EU rules to still apply for international road haulage. |
| Drivers hours | Wait | Expect EU rules to still apply for international road haulage. |
| Passports and identity documents | Wait | Expect that UK Passports will need at least 6 months validity to enter the EU from 1.1.21 |
| European Heath Cards | Wait | Subject to negotiation |
| Transit permits for UK hauliers travelling beyond the EU | Wait | This is subject to negotiation. An agreement is possible that will allow transit to third countries without the need for transit permits. |
| Transit by EU hauliers through the UK between Ireland and the rest of the EU | Wait | This is subject to negotiation but is expected to be agreed. |
| Cabotage in the EU | Wait | European Commission has said that it is unlikely to be possible for UK operators to do cabotage in the EU. This may change as a result of negotiation, however for now operators should assume no cabotage will be permitted from 1 January 2021. |
| Cabotage by EU operators in the UK | Wait | Given the European Commission position on cabotage it is expected that symmetry will apply and EU operators will not be allowed to cabotage in the UK. |
| Cross Trade by UK operators between two EU member states. | Wait | The European Commission has ruled out allowing cross trade by UK operators. This may change as a result of negotiation, however for now operators should assume that cross trade in the EU after 1 January 2021 will require an ECMT permit. |
| Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary checks | Wait | These may be determined to some extent by the free trade negotiations. However, any imposition of checks will have a substantial impact on the movement of goods subject to inspection. |
| Tariff Rates | Wait | This will depend on the Free Trade Negotiations. |
| Border Readiness checks and requirements for a lorry to board a ferry or train to cross the UK EU border. | Wait | It is likely that the route taken to enter or leave the EU, and the final country of destination for the goods, will have an impact on what is required to cross that border. There will be variations by route. |
| Safety & Security Declarations | Wait | The requirement for import Safety & Security destinations are yet to be determined. UK export Safety and Security declarations will be covered by the Export Customs Declaration. |
| Data RHA |
Thank you for reading this article “British Haulage Brexit Preparation” I would love to hear your thoughts about the impact Brexit will have on your haulage company please comment below.
