Six trucks were turned away at Holyhead port this morning as new red tape comes in following the end of the Brexit transition period.
From today, the free movement of people and goods and services between the UK and the EU has ended.
While a trade deal has been completed between the EU and the UK to remove tariffs it still means extra paperwork is now required to export between the trading partners.
It has though also seen duty free come back on the routes between Wales and Ireland.
Stena Line said overall it has been a quiet start to the new arrangement with freight levels low due to it being New Year’s Day.
But six freight loads were turned away on the early sailings this morning under the new rules.
They were instructed to drive away and park up to complete the required paperwork but some missed the sailing.
It is understood more trucks have now been turned away as hauliers adjust to the new systems.
Stena Line tweeted: “While it has been quiet in Holyhead so far today, the port authority indicate that six freight loads bound for Ireland have had to be turned away due to not have the correct references.
“Hauliers please ensure you have your PBNs ready for check-in.”
The ferry operator said it was a reduced service today with much less activity than usual.
(Image: Daily Post Wales)
Welsh Government has put in contingency measures for congestion including stacking lorries on the A55.
On the new requirements, Stena Line added: “Every ferry crossing between Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland will require two Envelope ID references; one for the export from the country of departure and one for the import to the destination country.
“Before check in, ALL ferry bookings will need to be updated by customers with both:
- An export or import Goods Movement Reference number (GMR) from the UK Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS),
and
- The corresponding import or export Pre-Boarding Notification reference number (PBN) from the ROI Customs Roll-On Roll-Off Service.
“Without the relevant references against a booking, it will not be possible to check in, or enter the port / drop a trailer.
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“Both references will be validated digitally at check in; if either reference returns a ‘not good to proceed’ message the issue must be resolved before check in can be completed. This will need to be done away from the port to prevent congestion.
“We can’t stress this enough: Without the two correct ID references we cannot allow freight vehicles into either the port of Holyhead or Fishguard.”
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