Dover Ferry
EES Freight Drivers Procedure
Please note that you will need to complete this process every time you travel through the Port.
Important Customs Clearance Announcement
Step 1
Arrive at the Buffer Zone
All freight drivers, both EU citizens and third-country nationals (TCN) must arrive at the Eastern Docks (Ferry Terminal) and enter the Buffer Zone at the Port entrance, where vehicles will be organised before border controls.
Step 2
EES Pre-Lodgment (TCN travellers only, EU passengers skip to step 4)
Proceed to Biometric Kiosks
Head towards the biometric kiosks to complete the EES Pre-Lodgment procedure
Submit personal and travel data
Submit your personal and travel data before capturing your biometrics.
Capture biometric information
Proceed to biometric scanning where fingerprints and face scans will be captured.
Step 3
EES Verification and EU Border Control
At EU border control all third-country national passengers will complete EES verification, while EU citizens undergo direct processing.
Step 4
UK Border Control
At UK border control all drivers and vehicles will be subject to customs checks.
Step 5
Port Security Checks
All drivers and vehicles are subject to Port security checks including baggage and personal screening.
Step 6
Check-In
You must check in with your Ferry Operator ready for your scheduled crossing.
Step 9
Point of Departure Assembly Lanes
After checking in you must wait in the Assembly Lanes at the point of departure ready to board your ferry.
Step 10
Boarding the Ship
You should now board the ferry as instructed to do so, ready to sail away on your journey.
Dover Ferry Facilities
Unaccompanied Trailers
Unaccompanied trailer park facilities are available in the Eastern Docks.
The charging rate for demurrage in the Unaccompanied Trailer Park in the Eastern Docks is £90.98 per 24 hours or part thereof. Trailers which are collected within a 24-hour period are exempt from charges. Trailers which exceed the first 24-hour period will be charged for the entire duration of their stay, calculated from the time and date of arrival.
Abnormal load notification
Please check the exceeded criteria information below, to establish if the vehicle will be classified as an Abnormal Load. Approval will be required before the vehicle can pass through the Port of Dover, by completing the form and emailing to your Ferry Operator, details provided.
Criteria for Abnormal load classification
If any of the following criteria are exceeded the vehicle will be classified as an Abnormal Load and approval will be required before the vehicle can pass through the Port of Dover;
- vehicle weight exceeds 45 tonnes
- vehicle width exceeds 3.2 metres
- vehicle length exceeds 22 metres
- vehicle height exceeds 4.8 metres
Download the Abnormal Load Notification Form
Please use the Notification Form to obtain approval. Both ‘Part A – Vehicle Particulars’ and ‘Part B – Journey Particulars’ should be completed and the form emailed to your intended ferry operator.
Operator contact details for sending the form
DFDS Seaways: dover.freightbookings@dfds.com
P&O Ferries: freightops.dover@poferries.com
Irish Ferries dover.freight@irishferries.com
Abnormal Load Port holding costs.
Where an abnormal load arrives at the Port without a suitable escort/approval for its immediate onward travel, the following charges will be payable in respect of the time that the abnormal load is held in the Port pending arrival of the escort/approval.
0-24 hours £138.30
Subsequent charge per day £138.30