Breaking
EES goes live 12 Oct (Schengen borders)
Biometric checks start at EU external borders; Logistics UK expects early bottlenecks at Dover and Eurotunnel while carriers adapt systems.
UK implication: add 45–60 minutes buffer on time-sensitive EU runs and brief drivers on enrolment steps.
Source: Members get ready… EES goes live on 12 October – Logistics UK (https://logistics.org.uk/)
M4 closure (J18–J19) — 24–27 Oct
Final bridge works near Bristol; full weekend closure both directions.
UK implication: re-route/retime west-of-England freight; notify customers of delivery risk.
Source: M4 closures – change of date – Logistics UK (https://logistics.org.uk/)
Compliance
CDS instructions refreshed (inventory exports & data)
HMRC updated UK Trade Tariff Volume 3 guidance. Incorrect CPCs/data elements remain a common cause of export rejections.
UK implication: align datasets & procedure codes in ERP/broker templates to reduce CDS errors.
Source: UK Trade Tariff: Volume 3 for CDS (collection) – GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/)
UK News
DfT ministerial portfolios confirmed
New briefs cover infrastructure, decarbonisation, trade and skills; sector bodies signalling engagement windows for Q4.
UK implication: SMEs should feed priorities via trade associations to shape delivery & timings.
Source: Department for Transport ministerial portfolios confirmed – Logistics UK (https://logistics.org.uk/)
Figures & Stats
ONS “UK Trade: Aug 2025” due 16 Oct, 07:00
Calendar confirmed; July showed import strength in machinery and pharma categories.
UK implication: prepare to refresh import KPIs, freight budgets & stock plans on release.
Source: ONS Release Calendar / UK Trade (https://www.ons.gov.uk/)
Logistics & Ports
Border times may extend during EES bedding-in
Kiosks and carrier processes stabilise over the first weeks; plan conservative ETAs for perishable/express lanes.
UK implication: add 30–60 mins buffer to EU crossings until throughput normalises.
Source: EES briefing – Logistics UK (https://logistics.org.uk/)
Opportunities
Digital corridor pilots (border modernisation)
Early participants can access lower-friction lanes as pilots roll out with trade bodies.
UK implication: register interest to secure facilitation on target routes.
Source: Ministerial update – Logistics UK (https://logistics.org.uk/)
Digital & AI
WTO: AI adoption at borders is accelerating
Risk-based targeting and automated validation are reducing manual checks across multiple jurisdictions.
UK implication: clean master data + correct commodity codes = fewer holds & lower brokerage costs.
Source: World Trade Report 2025 – WTO (https://www.wto.org/)
Did You Know?
HGV initial test failures down to 10.3%
From 32% in 2008/09 — long-run improvement that boosts reliability and contract scores.
UK implication: robust maintenance regimes support AEO credentials & service SLAs.
Source: Compliance Report 2025 – Logistics UK (https://logistics.org.uk/)
