Concerns have been raised that the introduction of the EU’s entry/exit system for non-EU nationals will create supply chain disruption when it launches in October, the Guardian reports.
The new system will require non-EU nationals to provide biometric data, such as fingerprints and face scans, before being allowed to enter EU nations, which have raised fears of tailgate queues at ports in Dover and Folkestone.
Supply chain problems
The app being used to process individual data may not be ready ahead of time, after former prime minister Rishi Sunak’s efforts to secure UK nationals’ access to the bloc’s e-gates failed.
With the system due to come into force 6 October, a few weeks before the first half-term of the UK school year, fears of queues have raised as the additional volume of vehicles processed at Dover could cause delays.
Last week Kent County Council leader, Roger Gough, and Port of Dover CEO, Doug Bannister, warned the UK government that this could ultimately lead to supply chain disruption.
Speaking in April, Gough said:
“The Channel route is the most important entry to Europe for the whole of the UK.
“Seeing for myself the vast number of vehicles transporting goods through the port today really hits home the fact that, if Dover grinds to a halt when EES checks are introduced, the supply chain of the UK will be hit very badly indeed.”
Mitigation
Ahead of October, Gough says he has been working with the Port of Dover to enhance capacity and minimise disruption, including increasing the number of registration zones, staff manning booths as well as forecasting to gauge the amount of traffic passing through the port.
However, aligned with his recent comments, he urged central government to offer more support to “prevent a standstill on the approach to Dover”.
“They need to be strengthening our local transport networks urgently, putting in place more effective legislation and infrastructure, and doing everything they can to keep Kent moving.”
Third phase of BTOM
October also heralds another crunch point in the implementation of the UK’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), which has been rolled out in stages since January.
Following the introduction of documentary requirements for medium- and high-risk sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) goods in January and checks on both those goods and documentation from April, 31 October safety and security declarations will also be required for UK imports from the EU.
EU goods imported to UK through the Port of Dover will be required to provide this additional declaration in addition to export health certificates (EHCs) and other new documentary requirements.
BTOM’s second phase, introducing inspections of goods and documentation, has caused disruption at ports, with hauliers and logistics companies reporting damage to goods and poor conditions for drivers amid long waits at Border Control Points.
