Relaxation in Europe: Update of the current loading restrictions

Packaging suitable for stress and transport to prevent damage

Packaging appropriate for stress or transport, taking into account the shipping load, route, duration and transport load, ensures that the packaged goods reach the recipient without damage and also functions to protect the salability and function of the packaged goods. Packaging is the responsibility of the sender, insofar as the goods can only be transported in packaged form for the agreed type of transport and means of transport. In case of a proven packing defect, which is the cause of damage, the Freight Forwarder is therefore not liable and is also not obliged to repair defective packing or to repack the goods. The shipper knows the special characteristics of his products and how best to protect them against damage. The packaging must protect the goods against the expected, foreseeable influences such as typical vibrations, centrifugal forces in tight curves, braking effects, the effects of heat and cold or the stress resulting from multiple transshipments. Warning symbols affixed by the shipper do not replace the packaging. This may even be inadequate if it was used. If the goods are shipped in the sales packaging, which must not be damaged, the goods are "unpacked" in the legal sense.

Packaging suitable for transport in general cargo transportation by truck should meet the following requirements: Protection of the goods against the dynamic loads during transportation and multiple handling and the form-fit of the package. Packages must also be packed in such a way that access to the contents is possible only by leaving external traces, in order to ensure protection against theft. Smaller packages in a consignment should be grouped together to form larger units, and packages heavier than 1,000 kg must be marked with appropriate weight markings. In case of special characteristics of the goods, the standardised handling instructions must be attached.

Incorrectly dimensioned packaging, exceeded performance limits, packaging of inferior quality, lack of instructions for proper handling or labeling of the goods, poor load unit securing on the pallet, defective foiling, goods protruding beyond the pallet or completely unpackaged are among the frequently identified defects in packaging.

In addition to the obligation to pack, the consignor also has an obligation to provide information and labeling. Information on all factors known to the consignor and affecting the execution of the order, such as addresses, type and nature of the goods, gross weight, value of the goods or delivery times, must be provided by the principal in good time. Likewise, the packages must be correctly marked so that the carrier can check the goods for completeness and identity and deliver them to the correct recipient.

Only the adaptation of the entire packaging cycle can lead to an economical and damage-free transport. Packaging optimisation starts with the development of the sales or product packaging, which influences the size and stability of the transport packaging.

When taking over the consignment, the forwarder must then check the number and type of packages taken over and the external condition of the packaging, as well as carrying out interface checks. Excluded from this and not to be confirmed is whether the packaging used is suitable for transport, the contents of the individual packages, the number of individual cartons on a pallet or the weight of the packages.

If you have any questions, please contact your local contact at the respective DACHSER branch.

EU Exit Update

With the recent updates and the new government campaign on the EU Exit, we at DACHSER wanted to inform you of some key points that have arisen that you may find relevant for your organisation.

While trade talks continue to progress slowly, the month of June presented the last opportunity for the UK Government to extend the transition period currently due to end on 31 December 2020.

The date passed with no request for an extension, and now the focus is on a phased introduction to customs controls in the UK as of 1 January 2021. The transition phase will allow traders to recover from the impact of COVID-19 and to prepare for the new requirements. The UK will be subject to full customs control at its borders by 1 July 2021.

Earlier this year, the UK Government took steps to remove certain customs easements, including Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP), and Post VAT Accounting (PVA). However, they have reconsidered and understood there is a need for some customs easements to be in place.

As a result, we have seen the reintroduction of postponed VAT accounting and a new form of the import process to enable the importer of record to account for their shipments by creating an entry into their records. Further information on this process can be found on the GOV.UK website.

On 12 July 2020, the Government announced funding of £705 million to build border facilities, invest in new technology and to create 500 new jobs within the border force to give further development of the infrastructure in preparation to the EU exit. Within this amount, there is £50 million available to support with training and IT equipment to complete customs declarations which you may be able to benefit from.

There will be an EU Summit Meeting for final discussions between the UK and EU on 17-18 October 2020. Finally, on 19 October 2020, we should see the summary and conclusion of a deal or no-deal scenario. 

We should not lose sight that regardless of the outcome of these discussions, customs administration will be necessary on all goods entering and exiting the UK as of January 2021, albeit in a phased approach.

The UK Government have also announced ‘The UK’s new start: Let’s get going’ campaign which is designed to give everybody easy and quick access to information and actions that people and businesses need to take to prepare for the end of the transition period.

Download the full communication below that includes further useful links and information. 

New update: Current loading restrictions in Europe due to Covid-19

In the following you will find the current loading restrictions that apply to Europe (see download). Food transports are excluded from this. This document here will be updated on a regular basis.

With the free map of the software provider Sixfold, transport companies and truck drivers can view the current waiting times at European borders and make appropriate preparations if necessary: https://covid-19.sixfold.com/