UK customs cleared in Calais to cut freight delays

Europa Road's new service[1], called DAP Flow, began operating this month and aims to address the ongoing disruption faced by British exporters under Delivered at Place (DAP) incoterms, where customs clearance and VAT payments fall to the European importer. Since Brexit, full loads have often had to detour to inland customs facilities for clearance, incurring extra costs, delays, and cash flow issues for both sellers and buyers. By shifting clearance to Calais, Europa Road says DAP Flow eliminates the need for T-forms and removes upfront VAT requirements at destination.

The company has integrated the system into Eurotunnel's Le Shuttle Freight service using its proprietary Leonardo software, enabling real-time customs processing while goods are in transit.

"British businesses are still struggling with the extra red tape surrounding customs clearance when shipping using DAP incoterms," said Jack Baxter, General Manager for Haulage at Europa Road. "This means longer transit times and delays to time-critical consignments."

Europa Road, the road freight arm of UK-based Europa Worldwide Group, operates from a 27,000 sq ft hub in Dartford. It serves over 42 European destinations and completes around 30,000 Channel crossings annually. The new DAP Flow service follows earlier customs solutions launched by the company, including DDP Europa Flow in 2021, which now accounts for half of its groupage traffic leaving the UK, and FCA Flow for exports to the Benelux region.

Europa Road states it is the first UK logistics provider to offer DAP customs clearance directly in Calais.

References

1. ^ Europa Road's new service (trans.info)