If you carry goods to, from or through the EU, new rules will be in place from 1 January 2021.
Whilst the Government remains committed to securing arrangements that do not create unnecessary burdens for hauliers and other road transport operators and welcomes the commitment by the EU to intensify discussions on a future trade agreement, the Prime Minister has made clear it may not be possible to secure an overall agreement on acceptable terms for the UK.
Road haulage operators must therefore get ready for the possibility that no agreement is secured. We will be considering contingency measures but as a fall back, we are opening the ECMT permit system for applications to ensure haulage operators have the chance to consider if they wish to apply for permits. We do not intend to rely on ECMT permits, however they will allow continued access for some international transport to and from EU markets in all circumstances.
If you’re a Northern Ireland operator, you won’t need to apply for an ECMT permit to undertake journeys to the Republic of Ireland.
ECMT application window
An application window will run 2 – 20 November.
At this stage, you may wish to prepare to apply for permits covering all your business to the EU. If developments on negotiations or an EU contingency measure are likely to mean any changes to your need to apply for an ECMT permit, further guidance will be provided.
Please use this period between now and 2 November to prepare all relevant information and ensure that you apply within the window. Late applications will not be accepted.
Check an HGV is Ready to Cross the Border service
Following publication of the Government Response to the Operation Brock Consultation, new rules will apply to hauliers travelling through Kent and across the Short Straits. Hauliers doing domestic journeys in Kent will not need to use the service. HGVs that are deemed non-border ready via the Check an HGV is Ready to Cross the Border service will be denied access to the port, helping reduce congestion.
The Check an HGV is Ready to Cross the Border service is an online service designed to help HGV drivers understand if they are border ready at the point of loading goods. More information about the service and other requirements for the end of the Transition period.