Latest update: Current loading restrictions in Europe due to Covid-19

Hard Brexit: Important Measures Beforehand

Even though there are some movements in the negotiations between EU and UK, still the “No deal” Brexit at the October 31st, 2019 cannot be excluded.

The consequences of a withdrawal without a deal on 31st October, especially for the movement of goods to and from the UK, are well known. First and foremost, longer waiting times would be expected due to border controls and customs clearance of all goods in accordance with WTO rules.

DACHSER will take appropriate measures to ensure that all goods arriving/leaving the UK after 23.00 GMT (00.00 CET) on 31st October are cleared and taxed accordingly.

With this letter we would like to summarize again the most important points and measures to keep the effects and delays in delivery for our customers as low as possible.

In case of Hard Brexit, the following information and documents must be available for customs clearance before the goods are collected:

• Consignment note
• Commercial invoice / pro forma invoice
• Packing list / delivery note
• Export accompanying document (can be issued by us if necessary)
• Preference documents and other product-specific documents, only if possible and required

Please make sure that these documents contain the following information:

Sender with EORI number, recipient with contact details, importer if different to recipient with contact details, sequential invoice number, Incoterms, number and type of packages, description of goods, country of origin, Taric code, value of goods, currency, gross/net weight.

Please pay attention to a high data quality of the information - the documents must fit definitely to the respective physical transmission.

If the documents are made available to us in electronic form, they should correspond to a resolution of 300dpi if possible.

In addition, we need the contact person for customs including the contact details of your consignee/importer (e-mail address) so that we can contact them in order to obtain the necessary customs power of attorney. We need these in order to be able to carry out the necessary customs clearance. Without the power of attorney we can not do the customs clearance.

Please do also note, that we also will need more detailed shipment information like number and type of packages, description of goods, value of the goods, if you have got shipments to Ireland via UK territory, as we will have to issue a transit procedure through UK. For the beginning we also recommend that you add a T2L to those shipments as we are not yet sure, if Ireland customs will accept T2 as a proof for goods in free circulation of EU after transit via UK. 

Within our eLogistics application the possible incoterms will be changed due to the customs. At the beginning only FCA/EXW or DAP are possible in eLogisitcs in order to ensure the process. Also the EDI information regarding the incoterms have to be adapted, the responsible person from your branch will contact you in order to align the necessary changes.

We ask for your understanding and cooperation so that DACHSER can make your flow of goods as efficient and trouble-free as possible in this exceptional case of hard Brexit.

The most important measures for preparation we have stated additionally in our Brexit checklist (please see below).

Please do not hesitate to contact your DACHSER branch  if you have any further questions.

Packaging suitable for stress and transport to prevent damage

Packaging appropriate for stress or transport, taking into account the shipping load, route, duration and transport load, ensures that the packaged goods reach the recipient without damage and also functions to protect the salability and function of the packaged goods. Packaging is the responsibility of the sender, insofar as the goods can only be transported in packaged form for the agreed type of transport and means of transport. In case of a proven packing defect, which is the cause of damage, the Freight Forwarder is therefore not liable and is also not obliged to repair defective packing or to repack the goods. The shipper knows the special characteristics of his products and how best to protect them against damage. The packaging must protect the goods against the expected, foreseeable influences such as typical vibrations, centrifugal forces in tight curves, braking effects, the effects of heat and cold or the stress resulting from multiple transshipments. Warning symbols affixed by the shipper do not replace the packaging. This may even be inadequate if it was used. If the goods are shipped in the sales packaging, which must not be damaged, the goods are "unpacked" in the legal sense.

Packaging suitable for transport in general cargo transportation by truck should meet the following requirements: Protection of the goods against the dynamic loads during transportation and multiple handling and the form-fit of the package. Packages must also be packed in such a way that access to the contents is possible only by leaving external traces, in order to ensure protection against theft. Smaller packages in a consignment should be grouped together to form larger units, and packages heavier than 1,000 kg must be marked with appropriate weight markings. In case of special characteristics of the goods, the standardised handling instructions must be attached.

Incorrectly dimensioned packaging, exceeded performance limits, packaging of inferior quality, lack of instructions for proper handling or labeling of the goods, poor load unit securing on the pallet, defective foiling, goods protruding beyond the pallet or completely unpackaged are among the frequently identified defects in packaging.

In addition to the obligation to pack, the consignor also has an obligation to provide information and labeling. Information on all factors known to the consignor and affecting the execution of the order, such as addresses, type and nature of the goods, gross weight, value of the goods or delivery times, must be provided by the principal in good time. Likewise, the packages must be correctly marked so that the carrier can check the goods for completeness and identity and deliver them to the correct recipient.

Only the adaptation of the entire packaging cycle can lead to an economical and damage-free transport. Packaging optimisation starts with the development of the sales or product packaging, which influences the size and stability of the transport packaging.

When taking over the consignment, the forwarder must then check the number and type of packages taken over and the external condition of the packaging, as well as carrying out interface checks. Excluded from this and not to be confirmed is whether the packaging used is suitable for transport, the contents of the individual packages, the number of individual cartons on a pallet or the weight of the packages.

If you have any questions, please contact your local contact at the respective DACHSER branch.

Short update on the general situation in the transport sector

In the second half of the year, the corona pandemic is still the predominant topic in the media. While at the beginning of the pandemic new findings on Covid-19 were being announced almost daily, and many updates were also published by DACHSER on loading restrictions in Europe as well as in America and APAC, something like a "new normality" has now returned.

At the moment, there are no longer any universal country or customer restrictions. We would, therefore, like to ask our customers to clarify individual restrictions such as closures, changed opening hours etc. with the recipients of the goods themselves. We are closely monitoring the further course of the corona pandemic and will keep you informed immediately of any developments. Should new loading restrictions be imposed, these will be published again via our website.

If you have any questions on this subject, please contact your local contact person at the respective DACHSER branch.