Policy & Compliance
exit from, an EU country using the EES, • Facial image and fingerprints (referred to as ‘biometric data’), • Refusal of entry where relevant. Refusal to provide this data will result in the traveller being denied entry into European countries using the EES. At this point for those travelling with a visa there are different procedures, but these are detailed in the VISA requirements. Business travellers These regulations cover all non-EU people travelling to the EU, which will include those going for business purposes. From a BIFA Member’s viewpoint, the most important group affected will be HGV drivers. The first point is to ensure that drivers are aware of the need to register for the EES, providing all relevant data before their first journey, and for the need to scan their documents before crossing the border when either entering or exiting the EU. Also, there are practical considerations such as how HGV drivers will scan their documents. What is suitable for a car driver is not so for a driver several feet higher in a cab. The Association’s main concern is that, although it is intended to segregate passengers from the freight where possible, there is the potential for backlogs to develop, limiting entry into and egress from ports. BIFA has been aware for some time that there has been no capability within the EU to monitor the 90 within a 180-day requirement. Enforcement has been variable and intermittent. For instance we heard that the Netherlands was more strictly enforcing these rules than France. This situation will change with the introduction of the EES. Additional information can be found by scanning the QR codes.
Implementation of the EU Entry Exit System With new EU entry procedures expected to come into force this year, BIFAlink takes a look at what that will mean for freight forwarders
T he European Union (EU) is its borders. These procedures were initially planned for implementation in 2022, but now it would appear that they will come into force in October 2024. The EES procedures will apply to all non-EU nationals travelling to the EU for a short stay, including those travelling for work. As the UK has left the EU, the new regime will apply to UK passport holders, and any other non-EU nearing the implementation of the Entry Exit System (EES) at passport holders, travelling to an EU country for up to 90 days in a 180- day period. However, these procedures will not be applicable to UK citizens travelling to the Republic of Ireland; such travel will be governed by the rules detailed in the Common Travel Agreement. The aim, in the long term, is to dispense with manual passport checks at the frontier and speed up the travel process. Travellers will have to scan their passports at an automated self-service kiosk prior
to crossing the border. The process will record all non-EU nationals entering member states, keep track of compliance with the 90 in a 180- day period rule, and record all rejections for requests to enter the Union. From the Union’s viewpoint it will provide information regarding those non-EU nationals who have exceeded their legal entitlement to enter and remain for a short trip, whether for a single stay or cumulatively. Tens of millions of pounds are being spent on equipment and processing areas at Dover’s ferry port, London’s St Pancras terminus and Eurotunnel’s site. Data retention Travellers will need to provide the following data prior to travelling, which will normally be retained for three years: • Information listed on the travel document (passport), • Date and place of entry into, and
“ Although it is intended to segregate passengers from the there is the potential for backlogs to develop, limiting entry into and egress from ports freight where possible,
House of Commons Library – EES
Europa.eu
14 | July 2024
www.bifa.org
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