ACHT1 Dover
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GERMAN FREIGHT forwarders have joined British hauliers in condemning delays at Dover's Eastern Docks caused by Customs problems.
And CM found the average delay is now a staggering 24 hours for vehicles coming into Britain through Dover.
Comparison with German Customs posts reveals that it takes as long to leave Britain with a laden commercial vehicle as it does to drive to Germany with the same hide and load.
CM paid the German bor post at Aachen a visit I week, leaving Britain wit Trans Repro Freight veh via Dover to see exactly w the situation is.
Dozens of loaded trai can be seen parked at docks, most of which h failed to clear Customs bec se of complications in paperwork.
And a massive queue lorries waiting for Custc clearance curls around dock roads as drivers wail use the inadequate two-I routes to and from ferries.
As CM arrived at the Belg port of Zeebrugge aboard Townsend Thoresen fe European Trader, another pro Freight vehicle was in queue for the ferry home.
That vehicle was still w ing at Dover Customs 23 later.
But on the other side of Channel, the story is differ( German Customs and p sport control formalities Nk cleared in 25 minutes for vehicle entering the cour loaded with furniture.
No queue oi half-abandoi vehicles waiting in the forl hope of being picked up b haulier. And there were C toms officers ready to g advice or explain what to d necessary.
At Dover, hauliers complaining that there are officers to see if someth does go wrong. "Where are actual Customs officers?" ( asked.
In Germany, forward Mallems and Konigs, of chen, complained that da at British Customs cost 1 company and its customer lot of money.
And German Custo officers were unable to und stand British Customs pro dures, "Why so complicate one officer asked.
Forwarders attacked t British Customs for adding to £85 a day in demurrag iarges for British hauliers 4d up with return loads sent foreign customers.
Drivers are compelled to end nights sleeping in their bs in the queue for the Cusms — whether or not they Lye sleeper cabs and Dover rwarders have already ,mpiled a report slamming e charges made by British istoms for its services at ght.