SGS TransitNet Marks 20 Years of Revolutionizing Customs Transit Solutions

This year, SGS TransitNet proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of delivering innovative, reliable, and universal customs transit guarantee services to transporters, brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics professionals worldwide. Since its inception, TransitNet has transformed the way businesses navigate complex customs processes, providing a seamless, secure, and efficient solution for transit declarations across 40 countries.

As a multimodal, web-based platform, TransitNet empowers clients by acting as the Holder of the Procedure (HoP) on their behalf, enabling them to create and submit transit declarations with financial guarantees to customs systems where SGS operates. Connected to major customs networks, including NCTS in countries such as the UK, Turkey, Switzerland, and Romania, TransitNet ensures real-time monitoring and tracking of declarations until completion. Its multilingual interface and user-friendly design make it accessible to a global audience, streamlining operations for businesses of all sizes.

Over the past 20 years, TransitNet has continuously evolved to meet the dynamic needs of its clients. From expanding its network to enhancing platform security and functionality, SGS remains committed to staying at the forefront of the logistics and customs industry. This milestone is a testament to the trust placed in us by our clients and partners, whose collaboration has driven our success.

As we celebrate this significant achievement, we look forward to continuing our mission of simplifying customs processes and supporting global trade. Thank you to our clients, partners, and team for being part of this incredible journey. Here’s to the next 20 years of innovation and excellence!

SGS TransitNet “Most Successful Logistics Support Services Brand of the Year”

Our platform SGS TRANSİTNET recently enjoyed more significant success by being selected as the “Most Successful Logistics Support Services Brand of the Year” at the Turkey Innovation and Success Awards!

TransitNet is currently connected to 25 different customs systems and it is the only service in Turkey that uses its own guarantee. TransitNet was appreciated for its high-level service and recognised as a huge facilitator for trade between Turkey and Europe by serving more than 700 Turkish companies with a safe, licensed and fast service.

General Manager Mine Kaya, who received the award on behalf of SGS TransitNet at the ceremony stated; “First of all, we are very happy to be worthy of such a meaningful award. I would like to thank everyone who contributed. I am receiving this award on behalf of 65 amazing teammates. SGS TransitNet has always brought innovation to the logistics and international transportation sector and will continue to bring the best.”

Congratulations to our Turkish colleagues, this is the third year in a row TransitNet, and our Turkish team has been prized.

SGS announces new e-Customs partnership with Eurotunnel

SGS are pleased to announce the recent partnership with Eurotunnel to ensure that customers using SGS TransitNet can be ‘green-routed’ upon entry to France.

The UK Landbridge is a vital access route for companies who export and import between Ireland and continental Europe and remains the most efficient route. SGS and Eurotunnel have come together to create a ‘UK Landbridge Package’ which seeks to provide an easy solution for companies looking to use the UK Landbridge.

Exporters, transporters and importers can relax in the knowledge that SGS and Eurotunnel can provide a full range of services to cover the journey and ensure that the goods reach their destination without delay. On-site customer support is also available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at Eurotunnel.

The UK Landbridge is especially important for companies involved in the movement of fish, meat and any goods that are subject to sanitary or phytosanitary control. It is vital for these companies that these goods reach their destination as quickly as possible. Any delay to the delivery for these types of goods can have a damaging effect on the quality of the product. The ‘UK Landbridge Package’ provides all the necessary customs declarations and entries, while at the same time offers companies peace of mind that the procedures for their shipments will be handled correctly, so that their journey can be made as smoothly as possible.

The UK Landbridge remains the most efficient way of transporting goods between the island of Ireland and continental Europe. There are 12 sailings per day between Ireland and Great Britain and a departure every ten minutes between Great Britain and France Eurotunnel.

SGS are delighted to be partnering with Eurotunnel to provide this unique service to SGS TransitNet users, Eurotunnel pride themselves on providing a high quality service for helping traders move their goods throughout Europe 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Whether it’s a one-off trip or part of a larger, more frequent freight delivery, managing your bookings couldn’t be simpler. With easy to access terminals, up to six departures per hour and an average crossing time of only 35 minutes via the Channel Tunnel, the complexity has been well and truly removed.

Additionally, the Eurotunnel Border Pass shares information needed for border crossings between the transporter and Eurotunnel and between Eurotunnel and the border authorities thus ensuring that the authorities are ready for the arrival of a particular shipment and all the necessary documentation is in place. It is secure and digitized without the need for the driver to leave the vehicle or present any documents on arrival at the border.

To find out how you can avail of this service contact transitnet.ireland@sgs.com today.

Port of Sète

SGS opens brand new support office

SGS are pleased to announce that we have added a new location to offer customs services to our valued clients. Our new office will open at Sète Port in France on 14.06.2021. Our new office operates under the full simplified procedure as authorised by Sète customs and we shall provide a full range of customs service as other brokers at Sète, but of course with the very highest quality and standards of SGS TransitNet. Our office is located in the port area and it is a single storey prefabricated building just opposite the TIR Park, which is 100 meters ahead of the East Gate (PEYRADE) where the trucks enter. The exact address of our new office at Sète and contact details are as below.

Our office is ready to provide all of the following services to our valued customers in a fast, efficient and cost-effective manner.

Our service details as listed below;

• Preparing-closing EX documents
• Preparing-closing T1-T2 documents
• Border exiting for T1-T2 declarations and port entering process
• Preparing TIR Carnet-ATA Carnet
• Import/registration process in Sète port
• Health certificate process
• Complete customs formality for trucksunder customs control

Address

Bat. ex arbora
Route de pontmartin
Zone portuaire de Sète
34200 – Sète – FRANCE

For more details on the range of customs services SGS can provide at Sète please do not hesitate to contact us;

Phone: +33 7 86 75 01 33

Mail: transitnet.sete@sgs.com

Killingholme – opening transits with Stena Line

Due to a large volume of requests from traders wishing to open transit declarations from Killingholme, Stena Line have now introduced the possibility to ship cargo under a transit document which will be processed between Stena Line and UK Border Force.
This new service has been available since the 24th May 2021.

Process

When completing the ferry booking and entering the ENS details, users should ensure that the LRN number of the transit declaration is added.

Exit Killingholme – Driver accompanied

Monday to Friday 15:00 – 20:00h:  Attention, no entrance to the terminal for transit cargo without transit declaration outside this timeframe.

From the 24^th May 2021, a border office post will be available just outside the ferry terminal from Monday to Friday 15:00 – 20:00h to exchange the LRN to T1 MRN before check in.

During the weekend, Stena Line have created the possibility to check in to the terminal (as “waiting check in”) and CroPorts will support with the change from LRN to the T1 MRN status via the remote border office. After this has been done your status as “waiting check in” will be changed to “checked in” and the original TAD will be handed over to the driver.

Exit Killingholme – Unaccompanied trailers

Monday to Friday 15:00 – 20:00h

From the 24^th May 2021, a border office post will be available just outside the Terminal from Monday to Friday 15:00 – 20:00h to exchange the LRN to T1 MRN before check in.

During the weekend and on weekdays before 15:00 and after 20:00h

During the weekend, Stena Line have created the possibility to check in to the terminal (as “waiting check in”) and CroPorts will support with the change from LRN to the T1 MRN status via the remote border office. After this has been done your status as “waiting check in” will be changed to “checked in” and the original TAD will be handed over to the driver.

After this has been done the status from “waiting check in” to “checked in”.

Please note that the drivers collecting Transit trailers in the Netherlands, (with T doc) will need to

ensure that they also collect the T doc at the Port and they will need to sign for the receipt of the

document.

The cost for this service introduced by Stena Line will be GBP 15,00 or Euro 17,00.

For more information, please contact your local Stena Line reservations department.

Return to the UK Landbridge

January 2021 saw a reduction in the volumes of traffic using the UK landbridge. As new Brexit Regulations were a major concern for traders, warehouses were stockpiled to allow for any potential bottlenecks and with the increasing number of COVID infections across Europe, the feeling among businesses in Ireland was that direct routes were safer with less disruption than travelling via the UK.

January 2021 saw a reduction in the volumes of traffic using the UK landbridge. As new Brexit Regulations were a major concern for traders, warehouses were stockpiled to allow for any potential bottlenecks and with the increasing number of COVID infections across Europe, the feeling among businesses in Ireland was that direct routes were safer with less disruption than travelling via the UK.

Three months on and a steady flow of traffic back to the landbridge is becoming more evident. Warehouse stockpiles have been depleted, COVID infection rates are slowing and customs officials, businesses and brokers have a better understanding of the new world of Brexit requirements and customs paperwork. The landbridge is again a very accessible option for hauliers and businesses wanting to access the EU from Ireland through the UK. According to EU statistics almost 15,000 transit declarations were registered in and out of Ireland during the month of March. This is a significant increase from January and February’s volumes which totalled 18,000 collectively. Indications are that transiting across the UK is a more efficient and cost-effective means of accessing the EU. At SGS, we are fast establishing ourselves as the trusted partner for facilitating transit movements for Irish businesses.

Tom Ferris, consultant economist, has written widely on Brexit and transport. He is of the view that the “pendulum will swing back to the use of the landbridge by Irish traders, but not to the same extent as was evident up to 31st December 2020. It is a matter of traders adapting to the changed circumstances and ensuring that they are fully conversant with the customs and administrative requirements of a post-Brexit world”.

One of the benefits offered by the landbridge is superior transit times. According to the IMDO Report “The Implications of Brexit on the Use of the Landbridge”, 12th November 2018 “The landbridge is the quickest way to transport freight to and from the continent each year; it takes less than 20 hours, compared to the 40-hour roll-on roll-off direct sea route and the 60-hour load-on load-off direct sea route. These times have changed with the advent of new routes however, transiting from Ireland to Rotterdam or Calais across the landbridge is still a much quicker option than using the direct ferries. When preparation times and delivery locations are taken into consideration the landbridge can also be a much more economical option”.

While direct ferries have provided hauliers and businesses with alternative options to access the EU, the unknown of Brexit-related customs processes has not been as stressful as many had feared. The landbridge is as accessible as ever in both directions allowing businesses to keep their cargo moving faster and more regularly without the fear of weather delays, cancelations or waiting for available slots. This position is supported by many of our clients:

With some preparation and support from the SGS TransitNet team, each stage of the journey can be made smoother by using TransitNet. Our customs experts will ensure that you are supported from the preparation of your journey right through to termination. We will advise on what the requirements are depending on the nature of the goods you are moving and will ensure that these requirements are met prior to departure.

For more information please download full article below:

SGS Fleet Article

The Custom House, Ashford – temporary change of location

Approved clients of SGS TransitNet have been using SGS’ authorized location, The Custom House in Ashford, to start their transit declarations from the UK to continental Europe and beyond since the start of January 2021.

Temporary change of location

The Custom House will temporarily move from its location now in Waterbrook Park to the Ashford International Truckstop on Waterbrook Avenue.

The Ashford International Truckstop offers drivers a great location to start transit. See the map below for the new location details.

Process for drivers wishing to start transit

Drivers arriving to the International Truckstop will be met by a security guard at the gatehouse. The driver should inform the security that they are a SGS TransitNet/The Custom House client wishing to start transit. The security guard will direct the drivers to dedicated parking for SGS TransitNet/The Custom House clients which is directly on the right hand side after entering the Truckstop. There will also be a member of The Custom House staff present at this parking to direct the drivers in the right direction.

The driver, as per the original process should be in possession of a valid TSN, and should proceed immediately to The Custom House office to present it for processing.

More information on the process can be found in the downloadable step by step guide below;

SGS-C&P-Ashford_Step by step

The Customs House – parking available

The Custom House also have a number of overnight parking spaces (subject to availability) which can be booked in advance at a rate of £15 (Saturday/Sunday) and £30 (weekdays). Same day booking may be available, but cannot be guaranteed, with rates of £20 (Saturday/Sunday) and £40 (weekdays). Contact The Custom House on +44 (0) 7761 485825 or +44 (0) 7761 485829 for more information.

For more information in this change of location and the services offered by The Custom House and SGS TransitNet, please download our brochure below;

SGS-C&P-TransitNet_TheCustomsHouse

Transit guarantee calculation from the UK

Under the rules of the Common Transit Convention, the guarantee for a transit declaration is calculated based on the highest rates of taxes applicable to such goods in the country of departure. According to Articles 18 and 74, Appendix 1 Convention and Articles 148 and 155 1A of the Transit manual, the calculation should include all the customs duties and other charges, e.g. excise duties and value added tax that are applicable to those goods at import. Privileges, for instance, that are subject to the furnishing of proof at the time of release for free circulation, e.g. a preferential rate or a quota, are not to be taken into account.

The guarantee covers the payment of taxes and duties and guarantees that the relevant taxes and duties will be paid in case of irregularity.

Guarantee calculation UK

Under the Common Transit Convention, if a guarantee amount if unable to be sent to the local NCTS system, the NCTS system will enter a default amount in the declaration. This amount is set to 10,000 Euro for each transit movement.

In the UK many traders were “unable” to enter an accurate guarantee amount so HMRC temporarily reduced the default value of 10,000 euros to £1 so businesses could still make transit movements. This lead to possible market distortion since a trader with a guarantee of £500,000 could have 500,000 transit declarations open at the same time.

This was only a temporary measure until businesses and software developers could ensure that they were able to enter accurate Guarantee Reference Values into their declarations and HMRC will be resetting this value to the sterling equivalent of 10,000 euros on the 4th May 2021 which will bring a certain level of fairness back to the market.

It is the obligation of businesses and software developers to send the correct guarantee amount and HMRC will continue to monitor and ensure that the correct guarantee amount is being sent for all transit declarations from the UK.

SGS TransitNet and transit guarantee

SGS TransitNet from day 1 and for every transit declaration submitted to HMRC calculated the guarantee for each transit as per the articles referenced above.

SGS as an approved Authorised Consignor with UK customs currently holds a customs comprehensive guarantee of £200 million in the UK.

SGS have the resources and the solution in place to support companies dealing with the fallout from these changes.

For more information about these changes and about SGS TransitNet, please contact your local client centre or use the contact form to get in touch with your local SGS affiliate.

Kent Access Permit – no longer required

For trucks which left the UK via Dover and Folkestone and travelled through the Kent region, it was necessary from the 1^st January 2021 to generate a Kent Access Permit, otherwise known as a KAP.

It was a mandatory requirement for a driver to have a valid KAP if they were driving in the Kent area. Drivers without a valid KAP were subject to fines of up to 300 GBP. KAPs were generated via the system known as “Check an HGV is ready to cross the border”.

This system was introduced to ensure that drivers were arriving at the exit ports of Dover and Folkestone “border ready”.

KAP – no longer required

Due to the low number of turnback’s and drivers being generally in possession of the necessary customs declarations, it has been decided by the UK authorities that a KAP is no longer required.

This is effective as of the 20^th April 2021 at 00:01 UK time.

The following information is available at the link where users would have gained access to the system to create a KAP.

Check an HGV is ready to cross the border (Kent Access Permit) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The following services closed on 20 April 2021:

• Apply for a Kent Access Permit (KAP)
• Check an HGV is ready to cross the border

Before drivers cross the border, the advise from the authorities is to;

• check you have the paperwork you need to cross the border between Great Britain and the EU
• check if you need a coronavirus (COVID-19) test and when you should get one – this depends on which countries you’re travelling to

SGS and your local client centre will continue to ensure that our clients are in possession of valid customs declarations for leaving the UK.

To find out more, please contact your local client centre or use the contact form to get in touch.

Using the UK land bridge – Closing T2 transits in France

Transit from Ireland and Northern Ireland

For trucks which carry goods via the UK land bridge from Ireland and Northern Ireland with a destination in Europe, a T2 transit declaration is required.

Approved clients of SGS TransitNet can open T2 declarations from Ireland under the simplified procedure from ports including Dublin and Rosslare. TransitNet clients can also submit transit declarations from Northern Ireland from the ports of Belfast, Larne and Warrenpoint.

Closing T2 transits in France

Transport companies which have trucks which enter France via the land bridge will want to have the transit closed as quickly as possible. T2 declarations which enter the EU via France are not automatically discharged on arrival and the driver must either present the goods at a customs office of destination or at an authorized consignee’s premises. When presenting the goods at a customs office of destination in France an agent or broker is needed to assist in closing the declaration.

No need to Import the goods

As goods are of EU origin, there is no need for the EU importer to lodge an import declaration. Once the T2 is closed, the goods are in free circulation.

SGS and Calais Truckstop – closing T2s

SGS TransitNet and Calais Truckstop have joined forces to offer TransitNet clients the perfect location to close T2 transit declarations on entry to France. Calais Truckstop is an authorized consignee which means SGS transits, which have the customs office of termination code FR000740, can be closed by Calais Truckstop staff once the driver is at the location of the Calais Truckstop with the truck and the goods.

The process is quick and efficient and makes the time and cost advantage of using the land bridge much more attractive.

Closing T2s – SPS goods

For transits of goods which are subject to Sanitary or Phytosanitary controls, Calais Truckstop can also close these transits as authorized consignee. One additional requirement is that the driver must have a validated copy of the CHED. A CHED is usually validated once the truck has entered the EU.

CHEDs are issued via Traces NT and SGS can perform the entry into Traces NT to generate the necessary CHED on our clients behalf.

Opening transits at Calais Truckstop

As well as closing transits, approved clients of TransitNet can also open transits from the Calais Truckstop under the simplified procedure. Once the truck is at the location, the driver can present the TSN to Calais Truckstop who will process the transit in TransitNet. Once the transit is Released for Transit, Calais Truckstop staff will print the copy of the TAD and any other necessary copies.

Calais Truckstop location

Fees

The below fees charged per T2 are payable on site by the driver either by cash or credit card.

For more information on these services please download the brochure below;

SGS-C&P-TransitNet_Calais Truckstop A4-EN-03-21