Carry out international road haulage
What UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) test requirements
You must test negative for coronavirus (COVID-19) before you cross the border into certain countries.
If you arrive in England from abroad, you need to take a COVID-19 test if you are staying for more than 2 days.
Apply for operator licences and permits
To transport goods internationally by road, you need either a:
- standard international operator licence for Great Britain
- standard international operator licence for Northern Ireland
You will need other licences and permits, depending on the countries you’re driving to or through.
Check which international road haulage permits you need.
Register your vehicle trailers
You must register these types of trailers before you drive to or through most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway:
- commercial trailers weighing over 750kg
- non-commercial trailers weighing over 3,500kg
Register your trailer to take it abroad.
Abnormal load trailers
You need a keeper’s certificate for an abnormal load trailer to use it abroad. Keep the certificate in the vehicle to show at border crossings.
Some countries measure abnormal loads differently from the UK. Check with each country you’re travelling through to find out if the load you’re transporting counts as abnormal there.
Apply for a keeper’s certificate for an abnormal load trailer to use it abroad.
Get specialist vehicle approvals
You will need to get specialist vehicle approvals if you want to transport:
Get the right vehicle documents
Your driver will need to carry the right vehicle documents with them during international journeys. These include:
- vehicle registration documents
- vehicle and trailer insurance documents
- GB stickers
- vehicle operator licences and permits
Check what vehicle documents your drivers need to carry during international journeys.
Make sure your driver is eligible to drive abroad
Your driver will need to carry the right documents about themselves with them during international journeys. These include:
- a valid UK driving licence
- a valid Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card
- a valid passport
- an international driving permit (IDP) if they need one for the countries they’re travelling in
- healthcare documents
Check what documents your driver needs to carry about themselves during international journeys.
Make sure you’re ready to import and export
You need to follow rules about import and export licences, getting an EORI number, classifying goods, getting your goods through customs, and keeping records.
Import goods into the UK: step by step.
Export goods from the UK: step by step.
There’s different guidance if you’re moving goods in and out of Northern Ireland.
Complete a road consignment (CMR) note
A road consignment (CMR) note is a standard contract used by companies who want to use a provider to transport goods internationally by road.
The CMR note confirms that the haulage company has received the goods and has a contract from the supplier to carry them.
You must have a CMR note on all international journeys if you’re carrying goods on a commercial basis.
The CMR note can be filled in by either:
- you (the haulier)
- the company sending the goods abroad
- a freight forwarder
You will need 3 copies of a CMR note, including one:
- for the supplier of the goods
- for the eventual customer
- to accompany the goods while they are being transported
You can buy pre-printed CMR notes from the Road Haulage Association (RHA) and Logistics UK.
Check an HGV is ready to cross the border (Kent Access Permit)
You no longer need a Kent Access Permit (KAP) to enter Kent.
The Check an HGV is ready to cross the border service has closed. Staff at haulier advice sites can help you check that you have the paperwork you need to cross the border.
Follow Kent traffic management plans
There are measures to manage traffic flow in the event of disruption to Kent’s road network.
These measures are known as ‘Operation Brock’ and apply to HGVs over 7.5 tonnes if there’s severe disruption to services from the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel.
Customs and document checks away from ports
Inland border facilities are UK government sites where customs and document checks take place away from port locations.
The facilities act as a government office of departure (for outbound journeys) and a government office of destination (for inbound journeys). You can start and end journeys at the facilities when moving goods in and out of the UK.
Checks carried out at inland border facilities
These checks are carried out at the facilities:
- Common Transit Convention (CTC), also known as Transit
- ATA carnet
- Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR) carnet
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Your drivers may need to go to an inland border facility if they enter or plan to exit the UK via Dover, Eurotunnel or Holyhead and need:
- to start or end a CTC movement
- CITES checks
- an ATA carnet or TIR carnet stamped
Your drivers may also be directed to an inland border facility:
- because they are not border-ready
- for a document or physical inspection of their load
Tell HMRC that you’re going to be attending an inland border facility
You should tell HMRC in advance that you’re attending an inland border facility because the goods you’re moving:
- are going to an office of departure or office of destination (starting or ending a transit movement)
- are covered by an ATA Carnet
- need a CITES permit
This will help you get processed on site as quickly as possible.
Tell HMRC you’re going to attend an inland border facility.
Check if there are any delays at inland border facilities.
Check local road rules
Some EU countries limit the times and days when HGVs can be driven on public roads.
Contact the British Embassy in the country for advice on whether restrictions will apply to your route.
Check the road rules for European countries on the AA website.
Check travel advice for countries outside Europe.
What to do if your vehicle is involved in a road accident
Your drivers should contact their insurance provider if they’re involved in a road accident in an EU country.
Any legal proceedings against either the responsible driver or the insurance provider of the vehicle need to be brought in the EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, depending on where the accident happened. You might have to make your claim in the local language.
You may not get compensation in some countries if the accident is caused by an uninsured driver or if the driver cannot be traced.
Get legal advice if you need more information about this.
Last updated 20 April 2021 + show all updates
Guidance
Carry out international road haulage from 1 January 2021
What UK goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage from 1 January 2021.
New rules for January 2021
The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year.
This page tells you what you’ll need to do from 1 January 2021. It will be updated if anything changes.
For current information, read:
You can also read about the transition period.
Stay up to date
This page explains what goods vehicle operators need to do to carry out international road haulage from 1 January 2021. It will be updated if anything changes.
Carry the right operator licence
From 1 January 2021, the operator licensing requirements for journeys to, through or from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway will change.
The Community Licence will be phased out and replaced with a UK Licence for the Community. The new licence and certified copies will be issued automatically and must be carried when driving abroad.
You will still need a standard international operator licence.
Get the right permits
From 1 January 2021, you may need an ECMT or other additional permits for journeys to or through the EU.
You should apply for these in case they’re needed.
You can apply for ECMT permits for 2021 between 2 November and 20 November 2020.
Find out how to apply for ECMT permits and when to do it.
Register your vehicle trailers
You must register these types of trailers before you drive to or through most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway:
- commercial trailers weighing over 750kg
- non-commercial trailers weighing over 3,500kg
Register your trailer to take it abroad now.
Abnormal load trailers
You now need a keeper’s certificate for an abnormal load trailer to use it abroad. Keep the certificate in the vehicle to show at border crossings.
Some countries measure abnormal loads differently from the UK. Check with each country you’re travelling through to find out if the load you’re transporting counts as abnormal there.
Apply for a keeper’s certificate for an abnormal load trailer to use it abroad now.
Vehicle registration documents
Your drivers will need to carry your vehicle registration documents when driving abroad for less than 12 months. This can be either:
- the vehicle log book (V5C), if you have one
- a VE103 to show you’re allowed to use a hired or leased vehicle abroad
Check an HGV is ready to cross the border
You’ll be able to use the ‘check an HGV is ready to cross the border’ service to prove that an HGV has the right EU import and commodities documents for the goods it’s carrying before it crosses the GB / EU border.
You must use this service for HGVs travelling via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel to get a ‘Kent Access Permit’ before they enter Kent.
You can be fined £300 if you do not use the service when you travel via the Port of Dover or Eurotunnel, or if you provide a fraudulent declaration.
It will be optional to use the service for all other GB ports.
The service will be fully operational by December 2020.
Display GB stickers
Display a Great Britain (GB) sticker on the rear of the vehicle and trailer, even if the vehicle has a number plate with the Euro symbol or a GB national identifier.
You do not need to display a GB sticker to drive in Ireland.
Vehicle and trailer insurance
A ‘green card’ is proof of motor insurance cover when driving abroad. Your drivers should plan to carry one for the vehicle they’re driving in the EU and EEA from 1 January 2021.
Your drivers will need to carry multiple green cards if:
- you have fleet insurance – you’ll need a green card for each vehicle
- their vehicle is towing a trailer – they will need one for the towing vehicle and one for the trailer (separate trailer insurance is needed in some countries)
- there are 2 policies covering the duration of the trip, for example, if the policy renews during the journey
Contact your vehicle insurance provider at least 6 weeks before you need green cards.
More about vehicle insurance.
What to do if your vehicle is involved in a road accident
If your drivers are involved in a road accident in an EU country they should in the first instance contact their insurer.
From 1 January 2021, any legal proceedings against either the responsible driver or the insurer of the vehicle will need to be brought in the EU or EEA country where the accident happened. You might have to make your claim in the local language.
You may not get compensation in some countries if the accident is caused by an uninsured driver or if the driver cannot be traced.
Get legal advice if you need more information about this.
What lorry and goods vehicle drivers need to do
Find out what your drivers need to do to drive professionally in the EU from 1 January 2021.
Last updated 23 October 2020 + show all updates