Guidance

Moving goods through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel using common transit

Find alternative offices of destination or departure when moving goods under Common Transit Convention through the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel.

The UK will remain in the Common Transit Convention (CTC) from 1 January 2021.

If you’re moving goods under the CTC the goods must:

  • start from an office of departure (a government office) or an authorised consignor’s premises (your own or an agent’s premises)
  • pass through an office of transit when entering a new customs area to allow the entry of your goods to be recorded
  • end at an office of destination (a government office) or an authorised consignee’s premises (your own or an agent’s premises)

From 1 January 2021, if you need to attend a government office of destination or departure you’ll need to go to an inland border facility if you’re travelling through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel. These sites have been developed to provide additional capacity where this cannot be provided at the port.

Before starting your journey you’ll need to prepare your goods and plan your route. You also need to check how to complete the different declarations you’ll need.

On occasion we may ask you to present your documents and goods for inspection regardless of if you’re planning to attend the inland facility or not.

If that is the case a message will be issued by the Goods Vehicle Monitoring System and you’ll be directed to an inland border facility.

If you’re attending an inland border facility for goods or documents to be inspected, you’ll need to inform staff upon arrival at the inland border facility of the reason for your attendance.

Check if any diversions are in place before you travel to the port on Highways England’s website.

If diversions are in place to manage freight traffic on the major roads leading to the Port of Dover, you’ll need to go to:

Manston Airport
The Cargo Centre
Spitfire Way
Ramsgate
Kent
CT12 5FF

Manston Airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when specific traffic management measures are in place in Kent.

Importing goods through the Port of Dover

If you’re not ending the movement of your goods at an authorised consignee’s premises, your primary office of destination is at Dover Western Docks or the Sevington inland border facility as your secondary choice. This will also apply if your goods or documents need to be inspected.

Dover Western Docks address is:

Dover Western Docks
Lord Warden Square
Dover
CT17 9DN

Dover Western Docks is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sevington inland border facility’s address is:

Sevington Inland Border Facility
Adjacent J10a M20
Ashford

Sevington inland border facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You need to use Ashford Waterbrook inland border facility if Sevington inland border facility is not available.

Importing goods through Eurotunnel

If you’re not ending the movement of your goods at an authorised consignee’s premises, or your goods or documents need to be inspected, go to the office of destination at:

  • Stop 24
  • Sevington inland border facility
  • Ashford Waterbrook inland border facility

The addresses are:

Stop 24
Folkestone Services
Junction 11
M20
Hythe
CT21 4BL

Sevington Inland Border Facility
Adjacent J10a M20
Ashford

You need to use Ashford Waterbrook inland border facility if Sevington inland border facility is not available.

The address is:

Ashford Waterbrook inland border facility
Ashford International Truck Stop
Waterbrook Avenue
Ashford
TN24 0GB

Stop 24, Sevington inland border facility and Ashford Waterbrook inland border facility are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You need to use Ashford Waterbrook inland border facility if Sevington inland border facility is not available.

Exporting through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel

If you’re not starting the movement of your goods at an authorised consignor’s premises, go to the office of departure at one of the following:

North Weald inland border facility

North Weald inland border facility
North Weald Airfield
Merlin Way
North Weald Bassett
Epping
CM16 6GB

North Weald inland border facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Ebbsfleet inland border facility

Ebbsfleet inland border facility
International Way
Ebbsfleet Valley
DA10 1EB

Ebbsfleet inland border facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Sevington inland border facility

Sevington Inland Border Facility
Adjacent J10a M20
Ashford

Sevington is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You need to use Ashford Waterbrook inland border facility if Sevington inland border facility is not available.

Alternative inland border facilities

All drivers have the option to use the inland border facilities at Birmingham and Warrington for outbound Dover and Eurotunnel traffic.

Birmingham inland border facility

Birmingham inland border facility
Birmingham International Airport
BHX Car Park 6
B26 3QY

Birmingham is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This inland border facility is also available for inbound Dover and Eurotunnel traffic if drivers have not been able to utilise the Kent sites.

Warrington inland border facility

Warrington inland border facility
Barley Castle Lane
Appleton Thorn
Warrington
WA4 4SR

Warrington is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Published 19 September 2019
Last updated 11 January 2021 
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