Border formalities

Since Brexit came into effect in 2021, formalities for goods transport between the UK and France have been mandatory. Eurotunnel and the French and British authorities have set up a smart border to facilitate the goods transport including:  

• Collection of customs documents at the Pit Stop (in parallel with security checks)

• Immediate and automated transmission to the British and French authorities 

• Customs status communicated during the crossing 

• The Border Pass: an innovative solution for collecting the border documents required to cross the border in the most efficient way possible in advance. 

• A dedicated Border team available 24/7 on arrival in France to facilitate checks 

Individuals

 • A valid passport will be required for all drivers travelling between the UK and France. Drivers' passports will be scanned at the Pit Stop in France or at Exit checks in the UK terminal as well as at the border. 

 • Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is required for drivers crossing from France to the UK, who are not British or Irish nationals.

Goods

Before arrival  

Make sure you have your GMR & ELO customs documents ready, including your TAD (Transit Accompanying Document), EU Import declaration or EU Export declaration, ENS, Carnet ATA. If you are carrying animal or plant origin products, DSCE/CHED sanitary documents are mandatory. You must have completed the formalities required by the French and British authorities for crossing the border. Failure to do so may result in the vehicle being refused access to the service. 

For non commercial vehicles carrying non-commercial goods (eg. personal removals), please complete this form and present it at the Pitstop on our terminal in both directions.

Arriving at the terminal 

Having a Eurotunnel Border Pass means information about your goods can be processed in a secure, digital and seamless way. Your vehicle is automatically identified on arrival, and border documents do not have to be shown. If you do not have a Border Pass, ensure that drivers have their GMR or ELO documents ready for scanning.  

Border Pass

At Pit Stop 

Drivers with a Border Pass will have their customs information paired with their registration number. Otherwise, GMR & ELO will need to be scanned, either digitally or paper versions. 

Check-in 

Drivers will be stopped at check-in if there is an issue with the pairing at Pit Stop. From this step, your GMR & ELO customs documents will be sent to the French & British authorities. 

Crossing  

During the crossing, drivers will have their customs status displayed on-board the club-cars and via the Driver Info App. Green means ‘continue your journey’; amber status means further customs checks are required on arrival in Folkestone or Calais. 

Arrival  

Vehicles with a green status will be able to continue their onward journey. On arrival in the UK, vehicles with amber status will be directed to the Inland Border Facility in Sevington. In Calais, amber vehicles proceed to Centre Douane SIVEP for inspections.