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France imposes 40-tonne limit for cross-border traffic
CTU Code Quick Guide is now available in all six official IMO languages In striving for greater awareness and usage of the CTU Code in order to improve safety in the intermodal supply chain, the Cargo Integrity Group (CIG) has published its Quick Guide to the Code, and its accompanying Container Packing Checklist, in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The five organisations collaborating in CIG are dedicated to achieving greater levels of safety, security and environmental performance within containerised global trade. The production of a Quick Guide to the IMO/ILO/UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code), along with a checklist of actions required by those packing cargo in freight containers, is pivotal to achieving safe and secure transport. Now the Quick Guide and Checklist have been translated from the original English into each of the other United Nations official languages and are available for download at: www.ttclub.com/ news-and-resources/publications/ ctu-code---a-quick-guide/ ?utm_source=pressrelease&utm_ medium=article&utm_campaign= CTU_Translations%20 The group is planning further translations. This is to create a better understanding of the complex dangers that may result from poorly packed or mis-declared cargo. The flexibility of containerised trade, and its efficiency in the movement of goods, means individuals many kilometres from the ocean, and with little knowledge of maritime operations or indeed other modes of transport, are tasked with packing containers with a hugely varied range of goods. Enabling access to safety guidelines in their own language is crucial.
BIFA has been informed by CLECAT that France will start enforcing a European rule that limits its cross-border traffic within the EU to 40 tonnes on 1 January 2022, despite 44 tonnes being allowed both on its territory and in the road leg of combined transport operations. A decree clarifying the French rules and bringing them in line with EU Directive 96/53/EC on weights and dimensions was published on 31 July. The text confirms the total authorised rolling weight of an articulated vehicle with more than four axles is limited to 40 tonnes (except for the road leg of combined transport operations). Until recently this rule was not enforceable in France as French legislation did not foresee sanctions. But with a new addition to the French traffic-law, this situation has now come to an end. The penalty for non-compliance with these provisions is €750 per overweight tonne.
Please also note that the principle of shared liability applies in case of overloading as member states can make both the shipper and the haulier liable in such cases. While shippers and road transport associations have been calling for more flexibility of the rules, the new rules confirm the situation whereby border crossing is limited to 40-tonne vehicles, even though Belgium and France accept 44-tonne trucks at national level. To note, Belgian traffic law has not yet adopted the European directive, so the reverse situation is currently not punishable.
Changes to Customs safety and security requirements
Following the end of the Brexit Transition Period, Britain left the European Union Safety and Security (S&S) Zone. Since then staged Customs controls have been gradually introduced. From 1 October 2021, as planned, standalone exit summary (EXS) declarations will be required following the end of the easement for empty units being moved to the EU under a transport contract, and goods in ro-ro vehicles. If you are a carrier defined as the operator of the active means of transport, you will hold the legal
responsibility to make sure the UK Customs authority is provided with pre-departure safety and security information. This means you will need an exit summary (EXS) declaration in the following cases: • Empty pallets, containers, vehicles being moved under a transport contract, • Goods which have remained in temporary storage for more than 14 days, • Goods which have remained in temporary storage for less than 14 days, but the import entry summary (ENS) details are
unknown, or the destination consignee has changed,
• Goods being moved under transit using either a Transit Accompanying Document (TAD) or a Transit Security Accompanying Document (TSAD), or via the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR). If you would like more information about submitting EXS declarations visit www.gov.uk/guidance/findout- when-to-make-an-exit-summary-d eclaration
UK-EU trade consultation seeks input from industry
The International Trade Select Committee appointed by the House of Commons, and currently chaired by Angus Brendan MacNeil MP (Scottish National Party), is seeking industry input into its enquiry about the UK-EU trading relationship. Following the end of the post- Brexit transition period on 31 December 2020, UK-EU trade
is being conducted under the terms of the UK-EU Trade and Co- operation Agreement (TCA). The inquiry is looking at a range of issues relating to these new trading arrangements, including: • What impact they are having on businesses and other stakeholders; • How they are being managed through the mechanisms
provided for under the TCA; • Implications for the UK’s wider trade policy; • Likely future developments in the UK-EU trading relationship. You can submit evidence until Friday 31 December 2021. More information and details on how to submit your evidence can be found at https://committees. parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/398/
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October 2021
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