Customs checks to move closer to border

Customs checks at a major post-Brexit border inland facility are to be moved closer to the border from early 2027.

Sevington Inland Border Facility, near Ashford in Kent, was built in 2021 to carry out checks on goods entering and exiting the UK.

Passengers travelling across the English Channel have been told that there will be no immediate changes.

HM Revenue & Customs said that the Sevington site was intended as a temporary measure and that checks would instead happen at sites provided by the Port of Dover and by the operator of the Channel Tunnel.

The Port of Dover said that it was working with its delivery partner, Motis, and the government to ensure a "smooth transfer of services."

The Sevington site, located off junctions 10 and 10A of the M20, includes buildings, goods vehicle parking spaces, entry lanes and refrigerated semi-trailers and operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Ashford Borough Council's Paul Bartlett said: "It might ease some congestion around junctions 10 and 10A, but it won't ease congestion at the Port of Dover.

"The inland border facility was set up because the government said there wasn't the infrastructure in Dover – but we are now being told will be made available.

"I'm very sceptical."

A HM Revenue & Customs spokesperson said: "As planned, customs infrastructure is now moving to port-provided facilities, in line with the approach used elsewhere across the UK.

"We're continuing to work with ports and partners on future arrangements for sites currently served by IBFs.

"There are no immediate changes and customers should continue to follow existing customs processes until further notice."

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