The European Union\u2019s new biometric border checks at the Port of Dover and Eurotunnel have been delayed again.<\/p>\n
The Entry\/Exit System (EES) was due to be brought in next month – but it has been postponed as the French authorities struggle with ongoing technical issues.<\/p>\n
The EES border checks area at Dover Western Docks<\/p>\n
KentOnline reported last month<\/a> how the new processes will result in big changes at the border – particular when it comes to boarding ferries at the Port of Dover.<\/p>\n It had sparked fears of gridlock if the EES had gone live during the busy Easter getaway, with Operation Brock to be brought in on Wednesday<\/a> in case lorries need to be held on the M20.<\/p>\n Biometric checks on passengers in all vehicles – including cars – using the port or the Channel Tunnel<\/a> were due to be in force next month.<\/p>\n Just yesterday, the UK government published advice warning Brits travelling to Europe that the \u201cEES is set to be fully implemented at all EU airports and ports\u201d from April 10 as planned.<\/p>\n But today it has been confirmed that the new checks have been postponed once more.<\/p>\n Whenever it finally goes live, the new process at Dover – explained below – will take some getting used to.<\/p>\n But port bosses insist they are ready for the challenge.<\/p>\n What is the EES?<\/strong><\/p>\n The EES is a new European Union system designed to record the entry and exit of non-EU nationals – including British travellers, since Brexit – visiting EU member states.<\/p>\n Instead of having passports stamped, passengers will have their fingerprints and a facial image captured and stored digitally. The system is intended to tighten border security.<\/p>\n What is changing at Dover?<\/strong><\/p>\n The biggest difference for motorists is where the checks will take place.<\/p>\n Under the new arrangements, drivers will first need to go to the Western Docks – where the cruise terminal is based – to register their biometric details.<\/p>\n Once that process is complete, they will exit via the expanded Union Street and travel along the A20 to the Eastern Docks for check-in and final passport checks by France\u2019s Police aux Fronti\u00e8res before boarding ferries.<\/p>\n All cars will have to go through this on every outbound trip from the port. The first visit will be to create a biometric \u201cprofile\u201d. Subsequent visits are needed to ensure the profile is still valid and up to date.<\/p>\n The port says full public guidance will be issued once a confirmed implementation date is agreed \u201cto eliminate any confusion\u201d.<\/p>\n When will it finally start<\/strong><\/p>\n The European Union had said the system will be fully operational by April 10.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n But it had been expected that technological problems on the French side could result in another delay.<\/p>\n The rollout has already been postponed several times.<\/p>\n When it does go live, Port of Dover chief executive Doug Bannister says they will be ready.<\/p>\n He told KentOnline the capacity needed will be \u201conline when we need to have it\u201d.<\/p>\nThe new EES checks will be carried out at Dover Western Docks. Picture: Stanley Murphy-Johns\/PA<\/p>\n
The new process for catching a ferry from Dover once the EU’s new EES checks are fully implemented<\/p>\n
A view of the new car passenger identity and fingerprint scanning area at Dover\u2019s Western Docks. Picture: PA<\/p>\n