Clandestine entry via freight vehicles remains a serious issue for companies shipping goods across the English Channel and North Sea. This article explains how UK trucking companies handle the risks involved, especially on short sea routes like Dover–Calais and Zeebrugge–Immingham. If your business imports or exports goods, understanding how your logistics partners manage these threats is essential to avoiding delays, losses, and fines.
Table of Contents
What Are Clandestines?
Clandestines are individuals who attempt to enter the UK hidden in freight vehicles, often in dangerous or desperate conditions.
This typically happens at key crossing points such as Calais, Zeebrugge, or Dunkirk, where the volume of freight movement is high.
For businesses shipping pallets, full loads, or part loads into the UK, the presence of clandestines can lead to:
- Cargo contamination or damage
- Delays and missed delivery windows
- Fines of up to £10,000 per clandestine found in a vehicle
- Reputational damage and loss of contracts
Why Short Sea Routes Are a Key Focus
The English Channel and North Sea are the two busiest short-sea freight corridors into the UK. The Dover-Calais route in particular sees over 10,000 freight movements per day.
Clandestine attempts are most common at:
- Port of Calais (France)
- Port of Zeebrugge (Belgium)
- Port of Dunkirk (France)
- Hook of Holland (Netherlands)
- Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands)
According to UK Government guidance for hauliers, operators are encouraged to implement rigorous vehicle checks to help stop illegal immigration.
How Trucking Companies Respond
1. Driver Training and Awareness
Drivers are trained to:
- Check vehicle seals and locking mechanisms after each stop.
- Avoid stopping in high-risk areas, especially near Calais.
- Perform systematic inspections using torches and mirrors.
- Recognise signs of tampering or break-ins.
2. Physical Vehicle Security
Vehicles are equipped with:
- Security seals on trailer doors
- Locking bars and padlocks
- Alarm systems and motion detectors
- Under-trailer sensors to detect movement or weight shifts
3. Route and Stop Planning
Freight operators plan journeys to reduce exposure to high-risk zones. In our experience at Barrington Freight, rerouting a client’s high-value shipments via Hook of Holland and Harwich significantly reduced repeated clandestine incidents compared to the more exposed Calais crossing.
4. Border Compliance and Checkpoints
All drivers must carry a vehicle security checklist completed at every loading/unloading point. This is part of the Civil Penalty Accreditation Scheme, which encourages compliance through structured checklists and training.
At Barrington Freight, we specialise in making your importing and exporting straightforward. From customs clearance to finding the right commodity codes, our expert team is here to assist. Don’t let the complexities of global trade hold you back. Reach out to Barrington Freight for efficient and reliable shipping solutions.
What Businesses Shipping Freight Should Know
As a business owner shipping into the UK:
- Confirm your freight forwarder uses vetted and trained drivers.
- Ask about the physical security of the vehicles.
- Request compliance documentation with UK Border Force requirements.
- Choose partners who are members of RHA or BIFA. The Road Haulage Association (RHA) also provides useful reminders and tools for hauliers on how to stay secure.
Using unaccompanied trailers from Zeebrugge to Killingholme or Immingham can reduce the risk of human entry significantly.
Insurance and Liability
Goods contaminated or damaged due to clandestines may not be fully covered under standard CMR insurance. Ensure your logistics provider has:
- Appropriate liability cover
- Clear policies for dealing with suspected stowaways
- Immediate communication protocols
Example: One customer recovered the full value of a condemned food-grade trailer due to enhanced load insurance and sensor-based security.
Conclusion
Clandestine entry attempts on cross-Channel routes are a real and ongoing threat. Trucking companies use layered strategies to manage this risk.
If you need help selecting safe freight routes into the UK, or advice for your industry, contact our team.
We’re friendly, easy to work with, honest and we don’t charge the earth.
For advice and information on importing, call 01268 525444 or email us today.
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