As the logistics and freight forwarding industry braces for significant changes with the rollout of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), we sat down with Marco Gaietti, a veteran in business management with decades of experience in strategic operations and customer relations. Marco offers a unique perspective on how these new border control policies could reshape the UK haulage sector. In our conversation, we dive into the intricacies of the EES, its impact on UK drivers and businesses, the potential shifts in supply chain dynamics, and the urgent calls for exemptions to safeguard the industry. Join us as we explore these pressing issues through Marco’s expert lens.
Can you walk us through what the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) entails and how it’s going to alter the process for UK drivers crossing into Europe?
Certainly. The EU Entry/Exit System, or EES, is a new digital border control framework set to roll out from October, with full implementation by April 2026. It replaces the old manual passport stamping with biometric checks, including fingerprints and facial recognition, at Schengen area entry points like Dover or the Eurotunnel. For UK drivers, this means their entries and exits will be tracked in real time, ensuring compliance with time limits in the Schengen zone. Unlike the old system, which relied on physical stamps that could be inconsistent or overlooked, this digital record will provide precise data on how long someone has been in the area, making enforcement much stricter.
How do the time limit rules under the EES specifically apply to UK visitors, and what challenges do they pose for haulage operations?
Under the EES, UK visitors, including drivers, are limited to spending 90 days in the Schengen area within any rolling 180-day period. For haulage drivers doing frequent runs into Europe, especially on longer continental routes, those 90 days can accumulate quickly. The challenge for businesses is that once a driver hits that limit, they’re barred from entering the Schengen zone until the 180-day window resets enough to allow more days. This disrupts scheduling and could force companies to rely on a smaller pool of drivers who haven’t maxed out their time, creating operational bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
In your view, what are the broader implications of the EES for the UK haulage industry as a whole?
The EES poses some serious risks for the UK haulage sector. Beyond the logistical headaches of tracking driver days, there’s a real threat of reduced flexibility in operations. Companies might face delays at borders during the initial rollout due to unfamiliarity with biometric systems or technical glitches. More critically, the time restrictions could discourage firms from using UK drivers for European routes altogether, as the administrative burden and risk of non-compliance grow. This could shrink the market for UK-based hauliers, impacting their revenue and potentially leading to scaled-back services or even closures in extreme cases.
You’ve hinted that UK drivers might become less attractive for European routes under these rules. Can you unpack why that’s the case?
Absolutely. The core issue is that the 90-day limit applies to UK drivers as non-EU nationals, whereas EU drivers face no such restriction within the Schengen area. This asymmetry means that hiring or subcontracting EU-based drivers becomes a more practical choice for companies looking to avoid the hassle of monitoring time limits or risking drivers being turned away at borders. For UK drivers, especially those on frequent cross-Channel runs, hitting the 90-day cap could sideline them for weeks or months, making them a less reliable option for businesses that need consistent service.
What kind of ripple effects do you anticipate on the supply chain and overall costs due to these changes?
The shift toward EU drivers could create a surge in demand for them, which might drive up wages and operational costs in the industry. Haulage firms could find themselves paying a premium to secure drivers who aren’t bound by the EES limits. These increased costs will likely trickle down through the supply chain, raising prices for businesses moving goods and, ultimately, for consumers purchasing those goods. There’s also the risk that higher costs could squeeze smaller haulage firms out of the market, reducing competition and further inflating prices.
There’s been talk of a professional drivers’ exemption supported by industry groups. Can you explain what this proposal involves and why it matters?
The idea of a professional drivers’ exemption is to carve out a special rule for UK drivers transporting goods or passengers between the UK and EU, exempting them from the 90-day Schengen limit. This would allow them to operate without the constant threat of hitting a time cap, preserving their ability to work consistently on European routes. It’s crucial because without this exemption, UK haulage businesses risk losing a significant portion of their workforce’s utility, which threatens jobs and the competitiveness of the sector. It’s seen as a necessary buffer to mitigate the economic fallout of the EES on the industry.
Industry research has highlighted some stark predictions, like a high percentage of operators expecting business declines. How do these figures reflect the mood in the haulage sector?
The numbers are indeed sobering—reports suggest 80% of operators anticipate a drop in business due to the EES, with over half of the workforce, particularly drivers, potentially facing layoffs. These stats mirror a deep anxiety within the sector about sustainability under the new rules. The fear is not just about reduced revenue but also about the ability to maintain staffing levels when drivers can’t work as often in Europe. It’s a clear signal that the industry feels unprepared for the scale of disruption and is urgently seeking solutions like exemptions to soften the blow.
Looking ahead, what is your forecast for the future of the UK haulage industry under the shadow of the EES?
I think the next few years will be a critical test for the UK haulage industry. Without interventions like the professional drivers’ exemption, we’re likely to see a contraction in the sector—fewer UK drivers on European routes, higher reliance on EU labor, and increased costs rippling through the economy. However, if the industry can adapt through technology, stronger partnerships across borders, and successful advocacy for policy changes, there’s a chance to stabilize operations. The rollout period through 2026 will be telling; it’s either going to force a painful restructuring or push the sector to innovate under pressure. I’m cautiously optimistic, but the road ahead is bumpy.
