Operations teams moving goods into the European Union should brace for border delays this summer as the EU's new digital Entry/Exit System (EES) faces its first peak-season test. The system, which replaced manual passport stamping for non-EU citizens entering the Schengen Area, has already caused queues of several hours at some airports and raised warnings of bottlenecks at ferry ports and rail terminals, according to BBC News.
What is EES and How Does It Affect Freight Movement?
EES, which began rolling out in October 2024 and is now fully operational, tracks entries and exits from the Schengen free movement zone covering 29 European countries. Under the system, UK citizens and other "third country" nationals must provide fingerprints and a photo at automated kiosks or border staff upon arrival, with the information verified on departure. Children under 12 are exempt from biometric registration. While the system primarily targets passenger travel, it also applies to truck drivers and crew members who are non-EU citizens, potentially adding delays at border crossings used by commercial vehicles.
Impact on Air Travel and Key Airports
At airports, the time required to register biometric information has led to queues flaring up during busy periods. BBC reported that a representative of airline trade body IATA warned queues in some places could be as long as six hours. Travel experts and industry figures blamed technology problems and border staffing levels. Some passengers have missed flights home because EES checks prevented them from reaching their gate in time. The UK boss of Wizz Air told passengers to turn up three hours before their flight home. Airlines have mixed policies on holding flights for delayed passengers; Ryanair has stated it will not wait. Greece is not applying biometric checks to British visitors over the peak period, and the European Commission allows suspension of the system until September in "exceptional circumstances that lead to excessive waiting times." Portugal has announced hundreds of extra border staff for July.
Impact on Ferries and Rail: Dover, Eurotunnel, and Eurostar
At locations where French border police conduct passport checks before departure from the UK—Dover's ferry port, Eurotunnel's Folkestone terminal, and Eurostar's St Pancras station—delays are also a concern. Eurostar has installed 49 automated EES kiosks at St Pancras, but they are not yet in routine use; border staff are handling part of the process manually. At Dover, long queues are possible because only French border officials can carry out the biometric checks. This directly affects accompanied freight: truck drivers traveling via Dover or the Channel Tunnel will need to clear EES, potentially causing delays to freight movements if queues build up. Ferry and rail operators advise passengers to check airline or operator guidance on arrival times.
Recommendations for Logistics Operators
Freight forwarders and logistics managers should advise drivers and crew traveling into the Schengen Area to allow extra time for border clearance—at least three hours before scheduled ferry or train departures, following Wizz Air's advice. For air freight, crew movements may also be affected. It is essential to check individual carrier policies regarding waiting for delayed passengers, as Ryanair will not hold flights. The mixed picture means contingency planning is vital. Operators should monitor border conditions at key choke points, particularly Dover, Folkestone, and major airports in France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
A representative of airline trade body IATA has warned queues in some places could be as long as six hours.
Watch List
- Summer peak pressure: July and August will be the first major test of EES capacity; any breakdowns or staff shortages could worsen delays.
- Technical fixes: Planned improvements at worst-affected airports, such as Portugal's extra border staff, may reduce but not eliminate queues.
- Regulatory flexibility: The EU's suspension clause expires in September; after that, exemptions may end.
- Winter season: If summer strains persist, similar delays could hit Christmas holiday travel and freight peaks.
| Affected Location | Mode | Current Status | Key Action for Operators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover Ferry Port | Road/Ferry | Long queues possible; only French border police can do biometric checks | Advise drivers to arrive 3 hours early |
| Eurotunnel Folkestone | Rail | Automated kiosks installed but not fully active | Check operator updates |
| Eurostar St Pancras | Rail | 49 kiosks installed, manual processing partially used | Allow extra time for check-in |
| Major EU Airports (e.g., Spain, Portugal, Italy) | Air | Queues up to 6 hours reported; IATA warning | Crew to plan for delays; verify airline hold policies |
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