Armed escorts needed in wild east of Europe
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Armed escorts are accompanying UK hauliers crossing into eastern Europe following the suspension of TIR carnets for tobacco and alcohol consignments.
The International Road Transport Union (IRU) stopped issuing the carnets on 30 November because of the growth in smuggling and hijacking (CM1-7 Dec). Under the TIR scheme trucks are sealed and can pass with the minimum of red tape when crossing borders outside the EU.
Gordon Linnington, Freight Transport Association controller of legal and international affairs, says trade is effectively being blocked by the suspension because so many customs' formalities are now necessary.
Ewen Cairns, European business affairs manager for United Distillers in Glasgow, says his company is paying Hungarian customs around £500 per move
ment for armed escorts for loads to Hungary.
London-based Eurogate International, UD's principal carrier into eastern Europe, sends about five vehicles a week to Hungary. Deliveries to neighbouring countries have stopped. The IRU says suspension was necessary because insurers are refusing to cover the cost of tax and duty payments for lost goods.