In short: The Kent Access Permit (KAP) no longer exists — it was removed on April 20, 2021, along with the online service „Check an HGV is ready to cross the border”. Today, a truck traveling between the United Kingdom and the European Union needs complete customs declarations and a GMR reference generated in the British GVMS system, mandatory since January 2022. Additionally, EU citizens drivers, including Romanians, need an electronic travel authorization ETA to enter the United Kingdom, a requirement in force from April 2, 2025.
Starting from 01.01.2021, Trucks carrying goods from the UK to the EU will have to carry the appropriate import customs documents for the goods they are transporting. The documents could be checked at the UK departure points or at the EU arrival port.
This will be regardless of whether Great Britain and the EU conclude a free trade agreement.
In general, it is the responsibility of the importer/exporter to provide this documentation to the transport company, however, the driver must possess it and present it to the border officials.
Drivers without the correct documentation will not be allowed to continue their journeys and may cause traffic jams on the roads approaching the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel.
Good to know
To help transport companies ensure they have the correct documents, the UK Government is launching a web service called „Verify if a vehicle is ready to cross the border”. Transport companies will make an online declaration that includes the truck’s details, destination, planned travel date, batch details and a series of self-declarations to confirm that the customs and import/export documents are correct and are carried on board.
At the end of the declaration, a Kent Digital Access Permit (KAP) will be issued that will allow the truck to use the roads in Kent to travel to the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel. If a KAP application is rejected, the truck will not be ready to travel until the missing documentation is provided.
Access to the strategic roads in Kent will be prohibited for trucks without a valid KAP. Trucks that will travel on these roads without a KAP may be fined 300 GBP.
The web service is currently in beta version, but the final version is expected to be ready in December 2020.
The Danish law on the posting of workers
Starting from 01.01.2021, It is expected that a new Danish law on the posting of workers will come into force with a declaration of posting to be drafted by the Danish Business Authority.
This means that the vast majority of transport companies must pay drivers part of the hourly wage, in accordance with the Danish national collective agreement for the transport sector, when they carry out transport in Denmark.
More information will appear in future articles as the Danish authorities advance with the legislation.
Frequently asked questions about truck access in Kent and Brexit formalities
Will the Kent Access Permit (KAP) still be needed in 2026?
No. The Kent Access Permit was removed on April 20, 2021, with the closure of the online service „Check an HGV is ready to cross the border”. From that moment on, trucks can enter Kent County without any digital permit. However, full customs documentation remains mandatory on board for the transported goods, which can be checked upon boarding in the United Kingdom or upon arrival in the port of the European Union.
What replaced KAP for the access of trucks to Dover and the Eurotunnel?
After the removal of KAP, access of trucks to these points is managed through Operation Brock, a traffic management system in Kent that is activated only when there is a major disruption at Dover Port or at Eurotunnel. When the system is active, trucks heading to these points must travel exclusively on the marked routes. Drivers caught on alternative routes are turned back and risk a fine of £300.
What documents must a driver have on board when crossing the UK-EU border?
The driver must possess the import or export customs declarations for the goods and a movement reference of the goods, called GMR, generated in the British GVMS system. Without a valid GMR, the vehicle is not accepted for boarding in Ro-Ro ports such as Dover or at the Eurotunnel terminal in Folkestone. The preparation of the documents is the responsibility of the importer or exporter, but their presentation at the border falls on the driver’s shoulders.
What does GMR mean and when is it mandatory?
GMR, or Goods Movement Reference, is the unique number generated by the British GVMS system, which links the customs declarations submitted by a specific vehicle. It is mandatory from January 2022 for freight movements through Ro-Ro ports that use GVMS, including Dover and Eurotunnel. The driver presents it at the departure port in the form requested by the transport operator, and the declarations must be submitted and accepted before boarding.
Do Romanian drivers need an ETA authorization to enter the United Kingdom?
Yes. Citizens of the European Union, including Romanians, need an electronic travel authorization ETA to enter the United Kingdom, a requirement applicable from April 2, 2025. The authorization currently costs 20 pounds sterling, is valid for two years or until the passport expires, and allows stays of up to six months. The application is submitted at least three working days before the trip.
Does the European EES system apply to Romanian professional drivers as well?
No. The European Union’s EES entry/exit system, fully operational from April 10, 2026, records biometric data and border crossings only for third-country nationals crossing the Schengen external borders. Romanian citizens, being citizens of the European Union, are not registered in the EES. The system targets British drivers and those from third countries entering the Schengen area instead.
What risks does a carrier who arrives in Dover without the correct documents run?
The vehicle is not allowed to embark and is returned to the road, which means delays, kilometers and additional costs, plus possible contractual penalties against the beneficiary. Separately, if Operation Brock is active, deviation from the signaled routes is sanctioned with 300 pounds sterling. GPS monitoring of the fleet helps the dispatcher to see in advance where the delivery has gotten stuck and to reschedule the delivery.
