Planning for Brexit - update

In the three years since the UK decided to leave the EU following the result of the referendum, there has been a lot of uncertainty and political manoeuvring as the UK and the EU have conducted their negotiations over the withdrawal agreement and the future relationship. Whilst the government and Parliament have stated consistently that they wish to avoid a no-deal Brexit that, however, remains the default legal position.

This is why, for some time now, DACHSER has adopted a coordinated and detailed approach to no-deal Brexit planning. A European-level Brexit Steering Committee comprises several senior managers and experts from the organisation’s specialist corporate divisions for Customs, Finance, Sales and European road network management, as well as the country management from the UK and Ireland. The objectives are focussed on ensuring that, in what could be a fraught and unpredictable trade and customs environment, DACHSER will be able to maintain its European services to its customers as efficiently as seamlessly as possible.

Relevant initiatives are underpinned by the company’s AEO status, its experience and flexibility in customs processes and procedures, and the strength, depth and adaptability of its European network.

We will be organising more updates on this crucial topic over the coming months, but, in the meantime, we have prepared a 'BREXIT Check List' guidance document, which highlights the practical steps that our customers and suppliers need to consider.

Current loading restrictions in Europe due to Covid-19

In the following you will find the current loading restrictions that apply to Europe (see download). Food transports are excluded from this.

With the free map of the software provider Sixfold, transport companies and truck drivers can view the current waiting times at European borders and make appropriate preparations if necessary: https://covid-19.sixfold.com/

Fuel price

The average fuel price according to the RHA survey for December was 91.19 pence per litre.

EU Exit Update

With the recent updates and the new government campaign on the EU Exit, we at DACHSER wanted to inform you of some key points that have arisen that you may find relevant for your organisation.

While trade talks continue to progress slowly, the month of June presented the last opportunity for the UK Government to extend the transition period currently due to end on 31 December 2020.

The date passed with no request for an extension, and now the focus is on a phased introduction to customs controls in the UK as of 1 January 2021. The transition phase will allow traders to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and to prepare for the new requirements. The UK will be subject to full customs control at its borders by 1 July 2021.

Earlier this year, the UK Government took steps to remove certain customs easements, including Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP), and Post VAT Accounting (PVA). However, they have reconsidered and understood there is a need for some customs easements to be in place.

As a result, we have seen the reintroduction of postponed VAT accounting and a new form of the import process to enable the importer of record to account for their shipments by creating an entry into their records. Further information on this process can be found on the GOV.UK website.

On 12 July 2020, the Government announced funding of £705 million to build border facilities, invest in new technology and to create 500 new jobs within the border force to give further development of the infrastructure in preparation to the EU exit. Within this amount, there is £50 million available to support with training and IT equipment to complete customs declarations which you may be able to benefit from.

There will be an EU Summit Meeting for final discussions between the UK and EU on 17-18 October 2020. Finally, on 19 October 2020, we should see the summary and conclusion of a deal or no-deal scenario. 

We should not lose sight that regardless of the outcome of these discussions, customs administration will be necessary on all goods entering and exiting the UK as of January 2021, albeit in a phased approach.

The UK Government have also announced ‘The UK’s new start: Let’s get going’ campaign which is designed to give everybody easy and quick access to information and actions that people and businesses need to take to prepare for the end of the transition period.

Download the full communication below that includes further useful links and information. 

DACHSER opens new branch office in the South West

As part of its ongoing expansion throughout the UK, DACHSER has opened a new office in Bristol. This new location provides direct connections to DACHSER’s entire European network for its customers located in the South West region.

Brexit: After the exit is before the exit

The UK has now officially left the European Union and Brexit has become a reality. But this is really just the beginning. A transition period until the end of the year is currently preventing any major impact on business and logistics on either side of the Channel. But what happens after that is still an open question.

Exchange Rate

The £/Euro exchange rate as at 31st December at 1700 hrs was 1.11735 EUR to the Pound.

The perfectionists

Another day is over, and nothing has happened. Sounds like a boring job. But for this group of men and women, there could be no better result for a job that is both interconnected and full of responsibility. They are the dangerous goods safety advisors of DACHSER.