Europa Road has launched a new service to enhance trade between the Republic of Ireland and the UK, aiming to streamline logistics and reduce bureaucratic barriers.
- The service, known as Europa Flow, utilises Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) terms to handle all export and import costs for goods shipped between these regions.
- Significant investment exceeding £1m has been made in Irish infrastructure, including a new customs brokerage team, to support this innovative service.
- British exports to Ireland, valued at £28bn in 2023, are expected to benefit from reduced transit times and simplified customs procedures.
- The new service seeks to counteract the complexities introduced by Brexit, offering a seamless trading experience.
Europa Road has unveiled its Europa Flow service, extending its proven DDP model to include all daily routes between the Republic of Ireland and the UK. By investing over £1 million into its Irish infrastructure, the company has established a dedicated team in Dublin, ensuring the efficient operation of this service and introducing a bespoke customs brokerage facility.
The core advantage of Europa Flow lies in its DDP terms, which obligate the seller to manage all costs and responsibilities associated with delivering goods to their intended destination. This includes settling both export and import formalities, duties, fees, and taxes. The approach is designed to alleviate the administrative burden on businesses, enabling them to concentrate on expanding their market reach.
According to the Office for National Statistics, British exports to Ireland were valued at £28bn in 2023. With Europe’s current logistics environment hindered by complexities arising from Brexit, Europa Flow delivers a vital service by simplifying customs processes and mitigating procedural delays. The new service not only promises to trim transit times but also aims to lower costs for British businesses.
Andrew Baxter, the chief executive of Europa Worldwide Group, highlighted that the UK is exporting less than pre-Brexit levels, with current volumes roughly 15% below 2018 figures. Ireland, as Britain’s fourth-largest export market, faces challenges due to elaborate customs procedures post-Brexit, which have impeded the smooth transit of goods between the two countries. Baxter stressed the detrimental impact on small and medium enterprises, which may lack the resources to navigate this complex regulatory landscape.
A Glasgow-based manufacturer, who trialled the Europa Flow service, reported positive changes. Their Irish customers experienced a noticeable reduction in administrative demands, reopening previously stalled commercial dialogues since Brexit. Furthermore, this success story underscores Europa Road’s commitment to providing a robust logistics solution, with 50% of its consignments now shipped via the service.
Europa Road’s Dartford-based 1Hub, strategically positioned near the Dartford Crossing, facilitates the service’s operation by offering scheduled, daily road transport connections to 42 partner hubs across mainland Europe. Adrian Redmile, branch and sales director at Europa Worldwide Group, assured that despite post-Brexit trade hurdles, Europa Flow represents a cost-effective and efficient solution.
Emphasising unrivalled accountability, Europa Road offers a Money Back Guarantee on all shipments through Europa Flow, offering complete refunds for consignments delayed beyond agreed timelines. This distinguishes Europa Flow as the only service of its kind between Britain and Ireland, reflecting the company’s dedication to restoring pre-Brexit transit efficiencies.
Europa Flow is poised to revolutionise trade between Britain and Ireland, addressing post-Brexit challenges with an efficient and comprehensive logistical solution.
