Groupage from İzmir to the British Isles
Brexit changed how groupage (LTL) to the UK works. Now that the UK has left the EU customs union, every consignment on the trailer has its own export, transit and UK import declarations, and in most cases the truck cannot board the ferry until all of them are ready. That is why we plan consolidation on this lane around the paperwork timetable.
Your cargo is collected in and around İzmir and consolidated with other loads heading the same way; you pay only for the loading metres, volume or weight you use. Because each consignment needs its own declarations, the cost of those declarations weighs more heavily on very small shipments, so combining cartons for the same consignee into one consignment usually pays off. The basics of how groupage works are set out on our groupage transport page.
Full loads and express to the UK and Ireland
For loads that fill the trailer or have a firm delivery date we run full-truckload transport; with a single consignee, the chain of declarations is simpler too. Urgent consignments that will not fill a truck can go by express minivan or lorry van.
Countries we serve in the British Isles
| Country | Groupage (LTL) | Full load (FTL) |
|---|---|---|
| England | Yes | Yes |
| Wales | Yes | Yes |
| Scotland | Yes | Yes |
| Ireland | Yes | Yes |
England, Wales and Scotland are part of the United Kingdom, while the Republic of Ireland is an EU member. Road freight from Türkiye (Turkey) to the British Isles always includes a sea crossing: the UK is reached by ferry across the English Channel or through the Channel Tunnel, or across the North Sea from ports in the Benelux. We recommend the crossing that best suits your destination and budget.
England
England is the lane’s main market, with London, the Midlands around Birmingham and the North West (Manchester, Liverpool) as the main delivery areas. For entry through roll-on roll-off routes such as Dover or the Channel Tunnel, the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) and its goods movement reference (GMR) are used, and import declarations are lodged in HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS). Who pays customs duty and import VAT under the agreed Incoterms should be settled before loading.
Wales
Freight for Wales reaches the Cardiff, Swansea and Newport areas by road through England. Wales is part of the UK customs territory, so the rules are the same as in England. Welsh ports such as Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke Dock also play a part in the Irish connection.
Scotland
Scotland is the lane’s northernmost point, reached by road through England for deliveries to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen. It sits within the same UK customs territory; given the extra distance, we plan groupage drops in Scotland together with other UK deliveries. Deliveries to the Highlands and the islands may take longer or carry a surcharge.
Ireland
The Republic of Ireland is an EU member: industrial goods travel with an A.TR, and on direct routes UK customs formalities never come into play. Freight can travel on direct ferries from France to Irish ports such as Rosslare or Dublin, or across the UK land bridge via Welsh ports; the land bridge means transit formalities on entering and leaving the UK. Dublin, Cork and Limerick are the main delivery areas.
Documents and customs for the UK and Ireland
- Export side: commercial invoice, packing list, CMR and the export declaration lodged in Türkiye.
- United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland): a UK import declaration in CDS, a GMR through GVMS, the consignee’s GB EORI number and proof of origin under the Türkiye–UK free trade agreement (a EUR.1 movement certificate or an origin declaration).
- Ireland: EU rules apply, with an A.TR for industrial goods and the consignee’s EORI number.
- Transit: a T1 (NCTS) for crossing the EU; the UK is also a party to the Common Transit Convention.
- Product-specific: food, plant and animal products need health certificates and pre-notification under UK border control rules.
For help with post-Brexit declarations and proof of origin, see our customs clearance service.
Why Multitransport?
- Brexit paperwork planned: we check every consignment’s export, transit and import declarations before loading, reducing the risk of a truck waiting at the port.
- Crossing options compared: Channel, North Sea and direct Irish ferry options, weighed against your load.
- Groupage, full load and express: matched with you to the size and urgency of your cargo.
- One operations desk: from vehicle allocation to delivery in the UK or Ireland, the move is followed from one place.