Port of Dunkirk automates customs clearance
The long shadow cast by Brexit also falls on the French side of the Channel. The Regional Directorate of the Customs Authorities in Dunkirk has now authorized customs clearance round the clock in the port of Dunkirk.
The freight forwarding company DSV, which made the original request, has been the test operator of the system since 15 November 2018. Until then, it was possible to validate declarations outside the customs service's opening hours, but that required the operator's physical presence. DSV is the first operator to implement 24/7 automation for the validation of customs declarations.
This is a clear step forward for Stéphane Raison, president of the port of Dunkirk's executive board: "24/7 customs clearance will accelerate the port of Dunkirk's throughput of containerized goods. In concrete terms, releases of containers can be scheduled for ships operating at night or on weekends, thus solving urgent cases for customers."
A broader and faster approach of customs clearance is a need also fostered by the future prospects of the UK leaving the EU. (kd)