go to Website
Mediaroom Customers Journalists
Watchlist (0)
back

DACHSER speeds up transport between UK and the EU

New customs service Smart Border Connect enables general cargo transit times comparable to those before Brexit

With its new customs service Smart Border Connect, the logistics provider DACHSER is giving British exporters smoother access to the EU market. The intelligent logistics solution simplifies and speeds up customs clearance and thus reduces export costs.

Smart Border Connect provides a framework for DACHSER to transport goods on behalf of UK customers mostly via the French border and on to the rest of Europe—quickly, reliably, and smoothly while also handling all matters relating to customs, taxes and duties. Picture: DACHSER
Smart Border Connect provides a framework for DACHSER to transport goods on behalf of UK customers mostly via the French border and on to the rest of Europe—quickly, reliably, and smoothly while also handling all matters relating to customs, taxes and duties. Picture: DACHSER

In 2023, the DACHSER European Logistics network alone transported more than 64 million shipments within Europe - without domestic market borders, which meant no customs clearance and none of the considerable administrative and regulatory expense that goes with it. For EU member countries, seamless groupage logistics throughout Europe sounds like the most natural thing in the world. However, since the UK's exit from the EU four years ago, this is no longer the case. A major challenge for which DACHSER UK has now developed its own solution: Smart Border Connect.

Smart Border Connect is a tailored solution that DACHSER developed to help UK exporters minimize the effects of Brexit for their EU customers. Thanks to preclearance, they can now offer their European target markets transit times similar to the pre-Brexit era.

Alexander Tonn, COO Road Logistics

"Smart Border Connect provides a framework for DACHSER to transport goods on behalf of UK customers mostly via the French border and on to the rest of Europe—quickly, reliably, and smoothly while also handling all matters relating to customs, taxes and duties. This is a great benefit for UK exporters and helps them to maintain their competitiveness against their European competitors," comments Mark Rollinson, Managing Director of DACHSER UK.

Preclearance to minimize transit time

The two different Smart Border Connect service options - Connect40 and Connect42 - are based on the use of the delivered duty paid (DDP) Incoterms. Since DDP makes the sender responsible for customs clearance duties and VAT, the customer no longer has to pay to receive the shipment. The goods can then be delivered in free circulation just like a domestic shipment and seamlessly integrated into DACHSER’s European network with its connections to all EU countries—with no increase in transit time or administrative effort. The services not only ensure daily departures from every corner of the UK, but also a fast connection to all EU destinations.

"Smart Border Connect is a tailored solution that DACHSER developed to help UK exporters minimize the effects of Brexit for their EU customers," says Alexander Tonn, COO Road Logistics. "Thanks to preclearance, they can now offer their European target markets transit times similar to the pre-Brexit era." "Since we introduced Smart Border Connect, we’ve experienced a surge in demand from existing and new customers alike. Many have decided to adopt DDP Incoterms for their shipments in order to benefit from DACHSER’s transit times, which are the shortest on the market," adds Mark Cosgrove, Sales and Commercial Manager for the UK and Ireland.

According to Alexander Tonn, "Smart Border Connect is not only of interest for the UK, but to third countries as well—for instance, to integrate additional non-EU countries like Switzerland and Norway." It’s going to get really exciting when DACHSER integrates its European Logistics and Air & Sea Logistics business fields even more closely with a view to offering a global door-to-door groupage solution. "With Smart Border Connect in the toolbox, this knowledge has the potential to bring old and new growth markets around the world closer together and make them more efficient," predicts Tonn.

More information about Smart Border Connect can be found in the film:

DACHSER worldwide
Contact us
Bookmark article
Share article
Contact Josh Mower
+44 16044331 75 josh.mower@dachser.com

You might also be interested in

27.01.2020
DACHSER expands its logistics centre in Hof

Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2020. The expansion also includes offices and communal areas covering a total area of 900 square meters. “Our new multi-user warehouse next to the existing logistics center will offer space for us to provide contract logistics services for a medium-sized customer from the DIY and gardening sector for example,” says Klaus Neubing, General Manager of the Hof logistics centre, about the expansion of business at the location. The contract logistics services that DACHSER offers in Hof combine transport solutions and warehousing with comprehensive value-added services such as picking and packaging. Following the expansion, DACHSER will employ 500 people in the town. In addition, around 300 people work regularly for DACHSER through the independent transport companies or, for example, as seasonal workers.

Read
30.03.2020
DACHSER European Logistics – your reliable partner in good times and bad

We are pleased to be able to advise that, despite the huge challenges caused by COVID-19 crisis, DACHSER's European Logistics network continues to operate with its customary high reliability in order to fulfil your vital business requirements.

DACHSER, your family-owned business partner, has been doing its utmost to maintain its commitments given to you with regard to services and rates.

We have taken extensive measures to ensure the continuous supply of goods throughout Europe, and are fully aware of the huge responsibility we have for your business and for society in general. We are facing severe challenges and incurring additional costs as are all organisations within in our industry. Being well aware that nearly all industries and customers of DACHSER are facing a similar situation, we wanted to give you a strong signal that DACHSER remains in partnership with you:

DACHSER stands for stability and reliability in difficult times as well. Therefore, we will not be introducing a general “COVID-19 surcharge”. Instead, we wish to renew our commitment to you that we will be standing by our agreed tariffs and maintaining our rates for domestic and international groupage shipments for the time being.

We would like to cooperate even closer with you in order to develop solutions for the current and forthcoming challenges. In addition, we trust we can count on your flexibility in adapting lead times or service levels where necessary and your reliability by respecting the agreed payment terms based on our mutual trust and cooperation.

Let us stand side by side in these challenging times!

Read
06.01.2021
Brexit deal agreed - customs administration from 01.01.2021

On 24.12.2020, an agreement on future cooperation and trade was reached between the EU and the UK.

An essential point is that between EU and UK for goods deliveries from both areas no customs duties are to be levied. However, this does not mean that the administrative "customs clearance" will be eliminated. This means that all documents and customs relevant information must be submitted by the customer in advance and only after the shipment has been released by the customs team of DACHSER, the shipment can be accepted for dispatch.

Please note that from 01.01.2021 this applies to all shipments between the EU and UK, only shipments from the EU to Northern Ireland are excluded. In particular, proof of preferential origin of goods should be provided. The most important necessary information for exporters and importers can be found in the document below.

Read
2
29.10.2024
Chemical logistics is on the move - scenarios and outlook for Germany

The chemical industry is a key industry in Germany. It’s one of the largest sectors of the country’s economy and accounts for a major proportion of its exports. However, it’s also one of the sectors with very high energy requirements. Companies began developing strategies to replace fossil fuels even before the energy transition became necessary. However, Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the resulting loss of gas as a “bridge” energy source has increased the pressure to find alternatives that would make the German chemical industry sustainable. A study entitled “Chemical logistics on the move: Scenarios and outlook for Germany,” which was supported by DACHSER Chem Logistics, examines the impact of this development on the demand for chemical logistics.

Read