From Monday 6th April (18:00hrs), France introduced a new “International Attestation” form which must be carried by all entering (or transiting through) France. It replaces the previous form, which is filled in by the driver of goods vehicles. This new form must be carried by the driver on each crossing.
There remains a requirement for the driver to also carry a second form: the professional travel waiver certificate (justificatif de déplacement professionnel). This form has to be filled in and signed by the employer (i.e. the driver’s manager).
The two documents must be carried by the driver and shown - if requested - by the French Police (Police Aux Frontières / PAF). These rules apply to anyone crossing the border who has to interact with the PAF (e.g. including crew joining vessels in cars who are going across to park up in, for example, Dunkerque for their shifts).
Empty trucks and vans. There is nothing specific in the implementation of this new rule, in terms of whether the HGV/van is full or not. Therefore, the driver is expected to have the relevant documents along with the attestation confirming it’s an essential journey, whether they are carrying freight or not.
If a vehicle is stopped and the driver doesn’t have either document, they will not be allowed to progress. We are also hearing that these new rules will be implemented more fully from Tuesday 14th April at the short straits, so it is important that we reach as many business and haulage / logistics companies as possible now.
Operational questions and answers:
How will people travelling get hold of these forms, do they just print a copy off the web or do the operators have to provide them with one?
Port of Dover, Eurotunnel, the ferry operators and the customs agents based at Dover Western Docks and at Stop 24 now have stocks of forms (as do the PAF themselves now). However, to mitigate against delays at the short straits, it is recommended to complete the forms prior to arriving at the port of terminal i.e. print one out or even produce a hand-written form (rewriting the sentences as the template) – that will also be sufficient.
Will the PAF hand out blank forms at the border if the people travelling do not have it already?
As freight travelling with the ferries / Eurotunnel have not booked in advance but are "turn-up-and-go" traffic or for people who buy a ticket in the port or on-line, they may not be aware of the new requirement. We are aware that most short straits operators have no prior contact with their customers before travelling, but as mentioned above it can be done by writing even on a blank document, and there are stocks of them available at the locations if the driver has not already done it in advance.
For "goods carriers". Will all freight drivers have to be stopped to show this document, and would the form be valid for a period of time or do they have to fill this in every time?
At the moment there is no compulsory stop, but if they are stopped by the PAF, then they will have to show the document(s). And to avoid any problem, the French suggest that it's better to have them (with the correct date) for each crossing. This includes freight drivers on empty runs.
Who can I get advice from?
If traders, businesses, hauliers and logistics companies have questions, please email:
EuExit, queriesattheborder (Border Delivery Group)
queriesattheborder.euexit@hmrc.gov.uk
Are there delays now because of this new system?
BDG is monitoring this to ensure any blockages are flagged ASAP, but everything is running as normal for now. Since the introduction of the new International Attestation earlier in the week there have been no issues with border fluidity and freight continues to flow smoothly through the Channel ports / terminals.
FCO is also helping with advice is for hauliers and drivers more generally. The FCO Travel Advice is being updated regularly to reflect the latest confirmed stances so please refer to:
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/france