Although the UK’s EU links end 1st January 2021, we remain in the Common Transit Convention (CTC). This removes customs declarations and duties at interim border crossings and allows other processes to be completed away from the border.
CTC members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Republic of North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and the whole of the EU. A helpful grouping, for which you must use a pre-planned route and follow procedures.
An EORI number, duty guarantees and registering with online systems are required but appointing a customs agent can set much of this aside. They may also hold authorised consignor status if you do not, which increases flexibility.
The principles of using the CTC are that you should:
- Start your journey from an official office of departure, or an authorised consignor’s premises.
- Pass through an office of transit when entering a new customs area, so that goods entry is recorded.
- Complete your journey at an official office of destination, or an authorised consignee’s premises.
Options are mentioned further down on changes during diversions and using sites in the North, or Midlands. For the majority of journeys, there will be a need to use one of the designated new locations on route.
Exporting via Dover & Eurotunnel
Unless your journey begins at an authorised consignor’s premises, you need to go to one of the following offices of departure:
North Weald Inland Border Facility
Merlin Way
North Weald Bassett
Epping
CM16 6HR
Ebbsfleet Inland Border Facility
International Way
Ebbsfleet Valley
DA10 1EB
Sevington Inland Norder Facility
Nightingale Close
Sevington
TN24 OTP
They are all open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.
Importing Through the Port of Dover
Unless you are ending your journey at an authorised consignee’s premises, the primary option is:
Dover Western Docks
Lord Warden Square
Dover
CT17 9TF
Where this facility is overloaded, or inaccessible, the secondary option is:
Sevington Inland Border Facility
Nightingale Close
Sevington
TN24 OTP
Both are open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.
Importing Through Eurotunnel
The option to end your journey at an authorised consignee’s premises again exists, otherwise go to the :
Stop 24
Folkestone Services
Junction 11 M20
Hythe
CT21 4BL
OR
Sevington Inland Border Facility
Nightingale Close
Sevington
TN24 OTP
Where Sevington is unavailable, or exceptionally busy, go to:
Ashford Waterbrook Inland Border Facility
Ashford International Truck Stop
Waterbrook Avenue
Ashford
TN24 0GB
At most times, they are all open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Alternatives To Note
At times when significant diversions are in place around the Dover area, you will need to go to:
Manston Airport
The Cargo Centre
Spitfire Way
Ramsgate
CT12 5FF
This will be open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, when specific traffic management measures are in place.
An alternative available at all times is to use border facilities in the Midlands, or North West, for outbound Dover and Eurotunnel traffic:
Birmingham Inland Border Facility
Birmingham International Airport
BHX Car Park 6
B26 3QY
Warrington Inland Border Facility
Barley Castle Lane
Appleton Thorn
Warrington
WA4 4SR
Both are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Birmingham inland border facility can also be used for inbound Dover and Eurotunnel traffic, where you have not been able to use the locations in Kent.
We hope the information above has been of use. In a situation which may well change, you are welcome to contact us for advice on road freight, or a full range of freight and logistics needs.
