Getlink Customs Services: a service centre for supporting hauliers and shippers for their customs formalities

In a world where cross-border trade is becoming more complex and where security and health measures are being strengthened for the import and export of goods, Getlink Customs Services offers a range of customs services for hauliers and shippers to facilitate cross-Channel trade.

An offer built on Eurotunnel’s expertise in managing post-Brexit trade flows

The UK’s exit from the European Union with the introduction of Brexit in January 2021 saw the return of border formalities and controls with the reintroduction of customs and health checks on goods. To maintain the smooth flow of traffic operated by Eurotunnel, Getlink has made numerous investments and innovated with new solutions to facilitate the management of hauliers’ customs formalities.

A first innovation, the Border Pass, was created by Eurotunnel to simplify import-export administrative procedures and facilitate customs form checks by simply reading the license plate and a barcode. This digital solution allows drivers and hauliers to track real-time information on the status of their customs clearance. The Border Pass received the SITL Innovation Award in 2021.

The speed of controls has been maintained thanks to the implementation of a smart border system developed in partnership with French and British customs, allowing real-time exchange of information collected at the Pit Stop with customs systems.

The Pit-Stop is a unique infrastructure inspired by pit stops in motor racing, where all truck checks (customs, security, and safety) are carried out. Another structural investment made at the Coquelles terminal is the Customs-SIVEP centre (Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection Service at the borders). With its 9 unloading docks, a refrigerated storage area, and a 100-space parking lot, it can accommodate trucks for phytosanitary checks, allowing maximum checks to be carried out simultaneously while maintaining traffic flow and departures.

In addition to large-scale and modern infrastructures that facilitate customs checks, the Eurotunnel Border Service team welcomes drivers and facilitates liaison with Customs and health inspection 24/7, 365 days a year.

Integration of ChannelPorts and creation of a unique service offer: Getlink Customs Services

Following the Border Pass, Getlink launched an innovative service offer in October 2023 to simplify border crossing for freight and the supply chain through a digital platform that simplifies the customer experience. This platform leverages artificial intelligence to optimise the management of customs formalities and declarations. This turnkey solution optimises the flow of hauliers, freight forwarders, or shippers and rationalises all formalities related to border crossing.

In 2024, Getlink integrated ChannelPorts, a leader in customs formalities services for hauliers and shippers in the UK. ChannelPorts now joins the group’s digital solutions for hauliers and shippers, now offered under the Getlink Customs Services banner.

Getlink Customs Services offers a one-stop shop for import/export and transit formalities and associated customs clearance operations, with a single point of contact for support in completing all British and European customs and health formalities. It also includes a consulting service for specific declarations (health, phytosanitary, organic products, or excise) and a service for analysing and ensuring compliance of formalities with customs and tax practices.

The service and consulting offers provided by Getlink Customs Services all meet the High Simplicity requirement developed at the Group level. Customs clearance formalities are handled reliably and simply on a secure digital platform that perfectly meets regulatory customs compliance requirements.