Brexit 2025: new challenges and opportunities for transport and logistics
Brexit 2025: current legal and operational challenges in international transport
2025 marks another milestone in economic and customs cooperation between the UK and the European Union. The latest regulatory changes will have a significant impact on the international freight forwarding and logistics sector, particularly for businesses that have regular trade links with their UK counterparts. Below we review the relevant legislative changes and their practical implications.
Targeted border control facilitations for specific commodities
Under the EU-UK technical agreement of 29 April 2025, the mandatory proportion of physical border controls for certain agricultural and food products has been reduced. This could lead to faster customs clearance and more efficient movement of goods on the UK side, but the exemption is not automatic and only applies subject to compliance and traceability certification. This change could benefit EU exporters, but only if they have a precise logistical and documentary background.
Safety and security declaration (ENS) now mandatory
From 31 January 2025, all operators will be required to submit an electronic Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) for shipments to the UK. The declaration must be uploaded to the relevant UK customs system at least 2 hours before crossing. Failure to do so may result in administrative sanctions and the detention of goods, and therefore requires increased IT and operational preparation by clients and subcontractors.
Mandatory biometric identification at border crossing points
From October 2025, British citizens will gradually be subject to the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), which will make biometric identification by fingerprint and facial recognition mandatory at Schengen area entry points. Until the digital system is introduced, however, passengers will have to undergo manual fingerprinting and facial recognition procedures, which is expected to cause significant delays in border traffic, particularly at the Dover and Calais crossing points. Although the change will directly affect passenger traffic, the resulting congestion and disruption could also have a negative impact on freight traffic capacity, especially for just-in-time logistics chains.
More stringent rules of origin and tariff preferences
From the end of 2024, the competent authorities will have stricter interpretative practices when applying the trade agreement between the UK and the European Union. Only products will be eligible for tariff preferences, that can be shown to meet the origin criterion. Detailed proof of 'sufficient processing' and the exclusion of double origin will require more rigorous documentation from exporting companies. Errors in the form or content of proofs of origin may render goods originally granted preferential treatment liable to duty.
The role of legal support in ensuring operational compliance
Progressive but increasingly complex changes in EU and UK customs legislation are creating a constant compliance pressure and a significant administrative burden for the international transport and logistics sector. Constant monitoring of the legal environment, incorporating compliance into contractual and operational processes and keeping documentation practices up to date are essential to avoid penalties and delays.
The professional support of Dr. Árpád Vásárhelyi Law Office also includes the application of rules of origin, the examination of the legal conditions for preferential customs clearance, and the development of contractual structures for transport law constructions and logistics chains.
Our legal services include full legal representation in licensing procedures, compliance audits and legal coordination of EORI and ENS registration processes. Our aim is to ensure that our clients can continue to operate smoothly, cost-effectively and legally internationally in a post-Brexit environment.