Warning of cross-Channel permits for only 2,088 businesses from January without a trade deal – a huge fall from 8,348.

39th Report of Session 2017-19 - published 21 May 2019 - HL Paper 355

For some weeks the British government has been planning a “shock and awe” campaign to warn British businesses that they have less than six months to prepare for Brexit; but the EU has beaten them to it.

Several Northern Ireland firms seeking special permits to trade across EU borders after Brexit have been told their applications were unsuccessful.

Hauliers are racing to grab a share of the permits that will allow them to continue to operate in Europe in the event of a no-deal Brexit outcome.

Applications for international road haulage permits opened this week and the Freight Transport Association (FTA), the business organisation representing the logistics industry, is advising commercial vehicle operators wanting to transport goods into EU-27 countries post-Brexit to apply sooner rather than later.

NORTHERN Ireland will be issued with just 60 haulage permits to operate on the EU continent in the event of a no-deal Brexit, a freight body has warned.

The existing community licence will be valid until the UK leaves the EU at the end of March 2019, but thereafter operators will need ECMT permits. / The number of permits is limited so the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is advising operators to start collecting the required information now.

If you carry out removals to and from Europe, you need to read this. ECMT permit applications open this week: international hauliers must apply – or miss out!

How to apply for permits to travel to or through European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) member countries, and the rules you have to follow.