A recent press statement from Logistics UK says that the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) may be delayed again. The organisation says that there is still no fixed implementation date and it is critical that the new systems and processes are fully checked before it goes live.
Nichola Mallon, Head of Trade and Devolved Policy at business group Logistics UK said,
“The situation around EES is now critical and [UK] government needs to accelerate its diplomatic engagement with the European Commission to clarify when the system will be implemented. The Commission’s official position is still that it will be ‘starting in the second half of 2024’ but no proper testing of the system at the Port of Dover has yet taken place, so this seems an ambitious target, to say the least.”
The new border checks required as part of EES will mean all non-EU nationals entering the EU, including those travelling from GB, will have to submit biometric information at the border. Any congestion on this critical trade route will be potentially very disruptive. Worst-case scenarios estimate delays of up to 14 hours for passengers, which would also delay vehicles making the crossing.