SGS, a testing, inspection and certification company, has joined forces with Eurotunnel to create a unique ‘UK Landbridge Package’ for companies seeking to use the Channel Tunnel to export and import between Ireland and continental Europe.
The new ‘UK Landbridge Package’ is available through SGS TransitNet, the company’s transit monitoring service. The package ‘green-routes’ journeys for companies by securing all the necessary customs declarations and entries, whilst giving peace of mind that the procedures for their shipments will be handled correctly and their journeys will be as smooth as possible.
It applies to companies looking to undertake one-off trips or more frequent freight delivery through Eurotunnel. On-site customer support at Eurotunnel is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
This new service removes complexity for transporters by providing a simple and comprehensive booking procedure, easy to access terminals, up to six departures per hour and an average crossing time of only 35 minutes.
In addition, the Eurotunnel Border Pass shares information needed for border crossings between the transporter and Eurotunnel and between Eurotunnel and the border authorities, thus ensuring that the authorities are ready for the arrival of a particular shipment and all the necessary documentation is in place. It is secure and digitised without the need for the driver to leave the vehicle or present any documents on arrival at the border.
Sebastien Chalumeau, Global Head of SGS E-Customs Services, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Eurotunnel to launch this unique service to our customers. Exporters, transporters and importers can relax in the knowledge that SGS and Eurotunnel will deliver a full range of services to cover their journeys and, through frictionless trade, ensure that goods reach their destination without delay.”
The UK Landbridge remains the most efficient way of transporting goods between the island of Ireland and continental Europe. It is especially important for companies involved in the movement of fish, meat and any goods that are subject to sanitary or phytosanitary control and vital for these companies that their goods reach their destination as quickly as possible. Any delay to the delivery for these types of goods can have a damaging effect on the quality of the product.
Michael Donnelly, Brexit and Customs Manager, O’Toole Transport, added: “We have been working with SGS since the start of the year and they have helped us greatly in the Brexit transition. More recently we have tried their Landbridge package which they operate in cooperation with Eurotunnel.
“The service was first class and it made the whole process much smoother than it had been before. The package really has every angle covered. We will definitely be using the Landbridge package with SGS and Eurotunnel going forward to ensure our trucks make it to their destination without delay.”
