FAQs on Logistics & Haulage after Brexit
For information on sending freight to Europe, EU pallet regulations, ISPM15 and pallet delivery to Ireland.
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FAQs on Logistics & Haulage after Brexit
Pall-Ex is committed to providing every customer with a quality logistics and haulage solution following Brexit. We have, therefore, put measures in place to ensure we offer the same reliable pallet delivery service to all our International locations, including the Republic of Ireland.
The UK has left the European Union, which means all International pallet movements going through our Pall-Ex network will require additional paperwork and customs clearance for successful delivery to their final destination. Your consignment will also need to meet EU pallet regulations.
Get a tailored quote for sending a pallet or find out more about our international pallet shipping.
Our network is committed to providing your business with a quality freight solution and has, therefore, put measures in place to ensure we offer a continued service to all our International locations, including Southern Ireland after Brexit.
Pallet delivery to the Republic of Ireland after Brexit
The Republic of Ireland is still in the European Union. Therefore, all pallets bound for delivery within the Republic of Ireland will require additional paperwork and support to be delivered. Irish Freight will be subject to the same import and export rules, and customs clearance surcharges as International freight.
Pall-Ex’s MyNexus system makes it easy to book an International consignment. Simply complete all relevant fields and our Customs Broker will review your information before accepting your freight and marking it as ‘customs cleared’.
You will receive an automated notification to print out our approved International labels, which must be fixed to your consignment to prepare it for collection.
Your consignment must have approved Pall-Ex International labels attached to both sides of the pallet for delivery to the Republic of Ireland, as our hauliers cannot accept or process freight that is labelled incorrectly.
If your consignment is rejected, you will be contacted directly by your local Pall-Ex member for the additional information needed for approval.
Currently, the UK government has provided no clear guidance on how Brexit will affect certain items classed as ‘At Risk’. These goods may require clearance and we will communicate this to you directly should your pallet delivery to the Republic of Ireland be impacted.
Further information is available in our Guide to European Pallet Delivery.
Required information for sending a pallet to Europe and the Republic of Ireland
Simply type in the first 16-digits of the barcode reference and your delivery postcode in capital letters into the 'Track Your Pallet' box found on the homepage. This will take you to a MyNexus screen where you can see where your consignment is on its journey to the delivery point. If you haven't been given the barcode information please ask your originating depot or the company you booked the goods from.
Please see below a list of additional information we will need to process your freight for all European destinations, including sending a pallet to the Republic of Ireland:
Exporter EORI Number (GB number)
Importer EORI Number
Goods value
Commodity code(s) – these classify goods for import and export (gov.uk)
Commercial invoice
Pallet dimensions
Net and Gross weight
VAT Number
Confirmed International commercial terms are otherwise known as Incoterms
Pallet delivery to Northern Ireland
Although Northern Ireland is still part of the UK, there is some additional information required for any pallet delivery shipments going to Northern Ireland. Failing to provide any of the information below might cause delays in shipping your freight.
Exporter GB EORI Number
Exporter XI EORI Number
Importer GB EORI Number
Importer XI EORI Number
Goods description
Pallet dimensions
Net and Gross weight
Country of origin
What are the EU pallet regulations?
Current EU pallet regulations mean that extra steps may be required to prepare your pallets for transportation to mainland Europe.
As the UK will no longer be part of the EU, any wooden pallets used to transport goods will require specific preparation.
All wood packaging material (including pallets) travelling into the EU needs to be ISPM15 compliant.
This means your pallet must be heat-treated to a certain standard and stamped with two clear markings to meet the EU’s pallet regulations.
What is ISPM15?
ISPM15 is a global regulation intended to prevent the spread of plant diseases and pests through wooden packaging materials by requiring them to be heat-treated.
All wood packaging materials moving between the EU and other countries are subject to official checks on a risk-targeted basis and must meet ISPM15 international standards. The graphic below highlights the stamps required on an ISPM15-approved pallet following Brexit.
If your goods are not on ISPM15 regulation pallets they may get rejected, which will delay the consignment leaving the UK.
How will Brexit affect the insurance on my pallet consignment?
All consignments moving through the Pall-Ex network are insured under the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road (CMR). The carrier by road (a Pall-Ex network member or partner) is liable for loss or damage to goods being transported.
Insurance for pallet delivery to the Republic of Ireland remains at industry-standard (RHA) levels.
It is your responsibility to obtain additional insurance should it be required. Your local Pall-Ex member can provide you with a bespoke quote for additional levels of insurance, on an ad-hoc, per consignment basis.
Further information is available in The Pall-Ex Guide to Insuring Your Freight.
Customs duties and charges after Brexit
When it comes to customs charges and duties, the best place to start is with the latest government regulations. The GOV.UK website has a wealth of information and tools to help you determine what your freight qualifies as and what charges you may have to pay.
One of the most notable tariffs to keep in mind is the UK Global Tariff (UKGT). This tariff applies to all goods imported into the UK unless the importing country has an existing trade agreement, there is an exception such as relief or tariff suspension, or the goods come from a developing country covered in the Generalised Scheme of Preferences.
This along with the tariff-rate quota (TRQ) are the main schemes covering imports into the UK. You can also use the government’s look-up tool to check what custom duties or charges you may need to pay post-Brexit. As for exporting; the requirements will vary from country to country. From licensing to importer details, and customs to restrictions, this process can be complicated. However, there are a few ways to demystify this process. The GOV.UK website has a step-by-step guide to help you with the procedure.
Alternatively, work with us and we’ll provide you with all the information you need to get your product from A to B. As a global palletised freight distribution network, we combine international planning and transparency with local haulage to offer a hub-and-spoke system that works seamlessly with international and regional trade. For more information please feel free to contact us today.
Support with all your logistics needs following Brexit
Our team is here to support you with all of your logistics and haulage needs following Brexit and will happily answer any questions you might have about your pallet delivery. For additional information regarding borders, surcharge costs, VAT and insurance, please contact your nearest member or speak to the International Team here: connect@pallex.co.uk
