UK Issues Guidance Documents on Alternative Ports for ATA Carnet, Transit After No-Deal Brexit

The United Kingdom’s HM Revenue & Customs issued guidance documents detailing how to move goods through certain Strait of Dover and Irish Sea ports under transit and carnet procedures in the event of a no-deal Brexit. The Port of Dover and Eurotunnel, as well as the port of Holyhead, cannot process ATA carnets, so the guidance documents include instructions on alternative sites where ATA carnet cargo may be taken for processing. A separate guidance document includes instructions on moving goods through the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel using common transit convention procedures after a no-deal Brexit, including in situations where “diversions are in place to manage freight traffic.” A recently leaked U.K. government study anticipates widespread and long-lasting delays for trucks crossing the Strait of Dover if the U.K. leaves the EU with no deal (see 1908190057).