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IRISH HAULIERS HAVE said that French custom officials are treating trucks that have used the UK landbridge as if they’re British, and not from a fellow EU member state.
The president of the Irish Road Haulage Association Eugene Drennan said that Irish hauliers are being “treated like they’re coming from England” by officials at French ports.
“To the French, we’re only a block off of England,” Drennan told TheJournal.ie.
Around 150,000 trucks a year cross the UK landbridge – a route usually from Dublin, to Holyhead, and across the Channel to northern France – as it’s quicker and cheaper to use than going directly to the European continent by ferry.
But since 1 January this year, when the UK left the EU’s Customs Union and Single Market, additional customs documents, costs, and other paperwork are needed for goods coming from Great Britain, while Ireland’s membership of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union mean that those bureaucratic barriers are lifted.
But representatives of Irish hauliers have suggested that they are being held up at French ports for longer than they should because officials view them, or their goods, as being British.
Aidan Flynn of the Freight Transport Association has also said that goods coming from Ireland are “effectively viewed as British goods”.
Flynn said that Ireland’s Department of Agriculture is using “simplifications” of trade rules and requirements – such as using the simpler NCTS transit system instead of using the EU’s more complex TRACES system – when the French are not.
Ireland is not requiring pre-notification 24 hours before transit for EU goods using the landbridge, for example, where the French are requiring this.
In response to these claims raised by hauliers, the Department of Agriculture said:
“Ireland has undertaken substantial engagement at political and official level across the EU to ensure that EU goods moving under transit across the UK landbridge are not subject to unnecessary checks and controls. This engagement is ongoing.”
“Revenue and DAFM (Department of Agriculture), along with DFA (the Department of Foreign Affairs) and our Embassy network are in ongoing contact with their EU and UK counterparts on a range of trade and customs matters, including the functioning of the landbridge.
“We are committed to ensuring the UK landbridge remains a viable route to market for EU traders. Although some limited issues since 1 January have been identified, we are engaging proactively to address any issues that may arise, and overall the landbridge procedure is operating as expected.”
The French Embassy in Dublin was contacted for comment.
Since new post-Brexit checks have been introduced on 1 January, hauliers have been calling for a simplification of the checks required.
Drennan said that some goods coming into Ireland from Great Britain require up to seven separate documents, which he called “ludicrous”, “cumbersome” and “tough going”.
Flynn said a “simplification of rules is badly needed”, particularly in relation to safety and security requirements, which were brought in in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks, and are not necessary for a former EU member.
These requirements have been waived for goods going to the UK, but not for goods arriving in Ireland.
Flynn said that there are other problems with using the landbridge post-Brexit:
“In the past, you might have 20 pallets on a lorry, and dropped off two or three pallets in the UK and picked up others on the way to the Channel. That activity isn’t open now, you have to ‘transit under seal’.
“If you’re leaving Ireland, and when you arrive into France, if that seal is broken by dropping off pallets in the UK, now you’ve a whole new export declaration… That was a real benefit to the landbridge that you could have efficient delivery and collection.”
Flynn says that now, “a lot of trucks are coming back empty, and that’s not sustainable.”
Another problem for hauliers has been the system that logs customs declarations, which is a new requirement for exports to Britain. If a small number of declarations are logged at once, the system works, but if 20,000 are logged simultaneously, the system crashes.
Flynn says that this has a “disproportionate impact” on deliveries, and doesn’t inspire confidence in the system.
Revenue said that it has processed over 1.8 million customs declarations from 1 January to 1 February – compared to 1.6 million during the whole of 2020.
In total, they expect 20 million customs declarations to be processed this year – a significant ramp-up of the documentation required previously.
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Haven’t our wonderful government sorted that yet, i won’t be holding my breath, too busy counting their pay rise .
@Gerard Heery: ah give it up Gerald.
Not everything will be discussed by Government to the likes of you
Do you not think that the Civil Servants and Foreign Minister already since early January have been discussing this?
Or are you happy that they stay in there 5k because you have to and not meet and sort it out?
My God there are some shower of complainers on here
@Gerard Heery: Ah give over Gerard, the relentless government bashing under every spurious topic is nauseating.
@Peter Roche: haven’t sent any to France to sort out the easy fixable problem going two months now , even a tricolor badge with the trucks regs on it in the window
@Gerard Heery: good man Gerald.
Back you’d bagx and sort it out
Oh… Don’t forget to but them bumper stickers on the Steana line sailing for all them lorries
@Peter Roche: His name is Gerard
@Peter Roche: Are you drunk? Have a day off.
@Peter Roche: Stop your ranting and go back to bed,you are still drunk.
@Gerard Heery: Whingebag
@Gerard Heery: They’re not taking the pay rise according to yesterday’s papers.
@Hotirish: why is there a problem there shouldn’t be the it’s up to the government to sort out the French customs not the hai
Ieirs if they can’t identify a trucks nationality
@Gerard Heery: I think you’ll find that it’s up to the European Commission to sort out the French.
@Peter Roche: I know it a lot n more complicated than what I’ve written but it shouldn’t be happening and the glades in it lay at political and diplomatic levels .
Stop using the landbridge then. To give out about being treated like your English, when your coming from England is actually quite funny
@Kyle: good man Kyle.
You know soo much about this subject.
Perhaps think outside the box
Maybe Dublin port through the UK is shorter?
Maybe having the back load like us mentioned in the article makes the load pay?
Think for one second. Can you not see that materials and products have increased since January because of these logistical problems
Rosslare has been booming since this started what with new direct routes to Europe and there is still room for expansion
Glen Carr has mentioned this for the past few years that problems would arise and that new routes would help but not fix the upcoming situation
@Peter Roche: perhaps you should broaden your horizons Peter.
We are an island nation that has been far too dependent on the landbridge for far too long. We need to build up our own independent supply routes.
I don’t know if you can remember only a couple of years ago a certain British minister (who could possibly be prime minister soon) threatened to starve us into submission over our brexit stance.
If that wasn’t a big red flag to you sir I don’t know what to say
@Kyle: If you worked in the freight business you would understand why the landbridge route is so important to traffic moving to an from Ireland.
@Joe Johnson: i do understand its importance. The fact that we are now relying on a 3rd country where we weren’t before changes things. Its about time we invested and built up our own shipping industry. It also gives us a chance to build up the infrastructure and economy in the south aswell. The landbridge will still be there for those who want the hassle
@Kyle: *you’re
@Kyle: build our own shipping industry…
Jesus wept.
With what. Magic money?
Where do people think this mystical pot of money will come from after all the expenses of Covid are paid?
Tax the rich?
Burn the bondholders?
Change the record bud
@Kyle: Correct …. I’m bringing in full 11-pallet containers direct from Spain …. The problem, as far as I can see, is groupage for smaller loads …. Once the demand is there, more freight routes will be available, and the hubs will be set up. Then it will be bye-bye GB …. Nice knowing you ….
@Joe Johnson: It was important because there would have half loads going to the continent & they would pick up another half load or two qtr loads on the way through the UK to make a full load on its way to the continent. Now UK lorries cant do cabotage so full lorries coming here from the continent are going back half empty or totally empty & because there’s no UK lorries making the journey we are relying on Continental & Irish lorries to transport our goods which is pushing up the cost of getting goods to market. UK wont allow our lorries to pick up part loads in the UK because the EU wont let UK lorries pick up part loads on the continent & if we did do that our lorries would be treated as making deliveries from the UK which would be subject to 3rd country status with all the tariffs & blocks to trade like veterinary & sanitary tut, its called a boomerang effect
@Kyle: The direct crossing to France for Irish hauliers provide longer transit times for end delivery into EU countries creating a longer turnaround, and on top of that the direct crossings have a habit of been delayed regularly due to bad weather.
@Peter Roche: It’s just that he has been looking at “boats for sale” on Done Deal and got carried away!
@Peter Roche: what are ya talking about Peter? Do ya really think Ireland is just a piece of dirt off the edge of Europe? Are you really that short sighted?
Have some ambition man
@Kyle: ah I have ambition man. But I also have common sense
This was always going to be a consequence of Brexit, that the UK landbridge route would no longer be a seamless route to mainland Europe.
The Irish haulers expecting nothing to change after Brexit. sound a lot like the UK brexiters that are also now moaning about being treated differently, just because they left the EU..
This was after all, clearly flagged four years ago as a major issue.
Im a bit confused as to why they are being treated different if they are traveling under seal. Like if they make no delivery stops in the UK shouldn’t it be fine. At the same time I suppose we should try to use the direct routes as trade using the UK in any capacity is only going to get harder when they start diverging legally.
@Edmund Murphy: they are complaining about the cases where they actually break the seal as well! Which is crazy. If you open that seal in Britain then there could be British goods in the load.
As for properly sealed loads well obviously they will still have a delay as the French will need to check the seals and paperwork. Otherwise the British hauliers could stick an Irish reg on and a sticker and sail through. Hopefully the processes will improve over the next while though and minimise the impact to Irish lads.
@Dennis Laffey: thanks for the clarification
Stop going through England. Use the ferry. Ok, its a bit more expensive but you’re better off not being part of the problem. Be part of the solution
@Bob Tallent: You don’t understand Landbridge is faster, cheaper and more reliable. It worked well before the single market and customs Union so why not now.
@Joe Johnson: because we are members of the SM/CU and the UK is not.
Is land bridge cheaper then direct ? Would have thought this is good news for Irish ports and the shipping companies if they manage it correctly. Just take the UK out of the equation.
@Declan Doherty: the direct boats are not as effective. Land bridge was always better. It was quicker in most cases & there’s still a capacity problem on direct boats. It means less flexibility.
@Declan Doherty: Using landbridge a truck can deliver a weekend departure ex Dublin first thing Monday morning in ie Germany. Transit times are faster, and reliable, creating quicker turnaround times. Direct crossing to France is a much slower route and can be delayed often due to bad weather conditions. It also more cost effective to go landbridge meaning cheaper transport costs for the customers.
I have done the run to France pre brexit on many occasions the run Dublin holyhead including loading unloading takes 6.5 hours then drive from holyhead to folkstone another 8 to 9 hours queue for the tunnel journey through the tunnel and out at calais 1.5 hours, time 17 hours approx including trucker break. Rosssslare cherbourg takes 20 hours including loading unloading. Cork Rosscoff is faster loading unloading 16 hours. if you are heading down south France or Spain it is the fastest route .. if you are heading east Germany direction Calais (landbridge) is faster but the benefit of direct ferry is less driver breaks or the need for employing 2 drivers on the run and the difference in time is only 2 or 3 hours …my verdict would be do direct ferry and avoid the hassle
Poor auld Eugene. Lost for ideas in relation to this. Here’s a novel idea. Put up the rates & pay drivers & contractors more & you will attract better quality people. I’m using both Land bridge & direct. I see some issues but not that big a deal. Yes using the UK the other day resulted in a 24 hr delay in France for customs. It was health food. Charge demorage for it & get paid for you truck sitting. I’m sure health food companies can easily afford it.
always moaning about something…..
Drennan is full of c**p as usual. The UK left the SM/CU so there was always going to be changes. You cannot simplify procedures on that basis otherwise it would turn into a smugglers charter. If their members weren’t constantly cutting each others throats with rates then things might change for the better. Who’s to say someone going through the UK decided to get a bit greedy and put on a couple of pallets of British produce on the way. It can happen.
@Jason Healy: again touché sir. Twice in 2 days. Did you get your trailer.
@Mjhint: nah still waiting. Late in as usual.
Why do they not have a situation where trailers are dropped at departure port, shunted on and off the ferry and collected at destination port. More space on the ferry without the tractor unit and reduced cost to haulier without a driver sitting on the ferry? Definitely more of a realistic option for longer crossings.
@Alan S: who will take the trailer at the other side? In part this already happens but there are restrictions & again no companies available to have this across the whole industry. It’s only for specific applications.
@Mjhint: a lot of hauliers have partner companies in different countries and this is often used in the shipping container business. Also if a company is regularly delivering to the continent then why not have drivers based there?
@Alan S: there’s not enough of them & you are correct in relation to shipping containers but it’s not the hauliers that are the partners but the shipping container companies. Also some goods require constant monitoring in person & then there’s the security issue of shipping unaccompanied trailers. That’s just some of it. There’s lots more. Whatever loads you now see being driver accompanied are necessary in that sector. If we were dependent on hauliers in France Germany Italy & the Benelux we would probably run out of goods quickly. There is a massive driver shortage in the industry and we would be even more vulnerable to it dependent on hauliers at the other side of ferry crossings.
@Mjhint: Last time I did my ADR I was the youngest on the course and I’m mid 40s, A lot of lads getting out of the industry especially when you have the likes of Stobart paying €8.65 an hour plus an extra euro for working nights or Sunday.
@Dave Byrne: totally agree but drivers have to take some responsibility for this. Many like driving shiney things with lights on it. The hauliers are suffering though as it gets harder year on year. I think we should be on more money but I’m laughed at when I ask for it but there has been a slow but steady increase in the last 5 years. The amount of money being made by logistics companies is huge & they don’t do the work. Hopefully after the pandemic we’ll see some change.
For those trucks making a delivery in GB and then another in EU, they should have two half size containers, with the doors on the sides.
The seal on the EU bound container would then be still intact.
They’re treating them like they’re coming from England. After having used the landbridge.
So they’re treating them like they’re coming from England after having (most recently) come from England.
It’s not like this is news. This is precisely the reason why demand for direct routes went through the roof.
Use the Irish ports then ,
Whilst there maybe an issue with dropping off going to France, if trucks are coming back empty that means they are not transitting under seal, and shouldn’t require the customs declarations, so nothing to stop hauliers picking up on the way back and avoiding empty trucks and just doing one set of customs declarations.
Unfortunately most of the world sees us as an adjunct of England and not a sovereign state…. or as nothing at all as previous experience in multiple countries has proven. A glassy eyed , empty expression emerges as I answer their question ” where are you from “?
@Marc Power: While I sympathize with them, they have nothing to distinguish them from the English for the most part. If they spoke Irish, and had Irish language signage on their vehicles instead of, for example, decor supporting English football teams, then this might never have become an issue.
Like the French or anyone could give tw0 sh 1t’s about our ‘problems’ historical or otherwise.
have your say