Calls to cut customs costs
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• Pressure to axe the charges levied on hauliers following checks by customs will increase next month.
This follows the decision by the Port of Dover to extend its talks with operators to include the body which is responsible for simplifying customs practices. The Simpler Trade Procedures Board, which is part funded by the Department of Trade & Industry, will be asked which other EU countries charge hauliers for customs checks.
John Powell, Dover's internal affairs adviser for ferries, believes the case for making customs pick up the bill will be strengthened if the policy of charging hauliers and imports agents is unusual within the members of the EU. "We do not see why innocent legitimate hauliers should be penalised for these checks," says Powell, Hauliers have been charged more than £300 at some ports for reloading: these operators say their customers will not accept the extra cost.
The Road Haulage Association says the charges seems more common at Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth. Dover says it bears the cost of reloading; many other ports follow this line.
The RI-IA and Freight Transport Association have already voiced strong concerns to customs.