BREXIT: Urgent UK-France border shipment of live shellfish

Crane Worldwide provides full client support through the initial days of the Brexit transition

On the 31st December 2020, at 11pm, the Brexit transition period between the United Kingdom and the European Union came to an end. Although a UK-EU trade deal was announced on the 24th December, customs processes are now a requirement for trade between the United Kingdom and the European Union. With a new customs technology system in place and new document procedures required, Crane Worldwide stepped up to assist A.M. Shellfish, a wholesaler of superior Scottish fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Based in Aberdeen, an urgent shipment of live product needed a cross border delivery to France with a departure date of 2nd January.  

The Challenge

Leading up to the Brexit transition date, France closed its borders with the UK due to a new variant of the Coronavirus that had been detected in the United Kingdom. It was widely reported that perishable goods and in particular Scottish seafood could be impacted by delays at the border, highlighting the need for a seamless post-Brexit approach to avoid backlogs. 

On the day of the Brexit transition coming to an end, our client had an urgent need to export its live goods from Scotland to Spain and Portugal. This was a time sensitive shipment due to the live product and the requirement to reach its destination was by the 3rd January. Due to the urgent nature, a simple border crossing was required to meet the target delivery date. With a new customs entry procedure in place and newly implemented technology there was fear amongst both hauliers and forwarders that backlogs and delays would be caused due to the new process.

Our Solution

The Crane Worldwide Logistics team was ready to navigate the new Brexit customs landscape. Receiving the request for assistance on December 31st, the day the new customs procedures were required, and the new year festivities ahead, the team stepped into action.  

On January 2nd, two trailers of live shellfish departed Inverurie, Scotland and made their way to Portsmouth, UK, for a ferry crossing in the early morning of the 3rd January. Customs entries were made on the newly implemented system by the Crane Worldwide team in Aberdeen and successful clearance of the goods in Caen, France was made that evening, supported by Crane Worldwide’s supply chain partners.

“Thanks very much for all of your support over the past few days, it’s been pretty stressful for everyone and I really don’t know where we would have been without the dedication of your team”

The Result

Whilst many forwarding agents and manufacturers have delayed shipments so that the new Brexit process could be tested, this urgent shipment could not wait. With a sense of urgency, a key element of The Crane Way, the Crane Worldwide team enabled a successful border crossing and the live goods were successfully delivered by A.M Shellfish to their clients in both Spain and Portugal.  

The border crossing procedures are currently being put to the test as road traffic flows between the UK and the European Union begin to increase after the festive period, regardless of the potential challenges ahead, Crane Worldwide UK is ready to support clients with Brexit trade advisory, customs support and warehouse storage.  

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