UK–EU customs, border and transport changes

A practical timeline of the key rules affecting goods moving between the UK and Europe.

Cross-border shipments are governed by two connected sets of requirements: the customs rules that allow goods to cross the border and the transport rules that determine how they can be moved.

This tracker brings the key changes together in one place. It explains what has changed, when it applies, who it affects and what businesses should do next. The newest changes appear first.

Last reviewed: July 2026. We update this page as new requirements are confirmed or existing rules change.

Customs and border rules

Transport and driver rules

The rules governing how goods clear UK and EU borders.

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In force In force from 23 July 2016
Who it affects

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What has changed

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What to do

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Sources

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Waiting In force from 28 June 2016
Who it affects

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What has changed

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What to do

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Sources

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The EU referendum
In force In force from 23 June 2016
Who it affects

This was the starting point for the later changes affecting UK–EU trade.

What has changed

The UK voted to leave the European Union. The result did not immediately alter customs or border arrangements, but it began the process that led to the UK’s formal departure and the introduction of new trading rules.

What to do

No action was required on the referendum date itself. The main customs and operational changes followed in 2021.

The rules governing the vehicles, operators and drivers moving goods between the UK and Europe.

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In force In force from 22 August 2016
Who it affects

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What has changed

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What to do

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Sources

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Waiting In force from 28 June 2016
Who it affects

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What has changed

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What to do

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Sources

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How to use this page

Find the change that applies to you, in either section, check the status and the date, and take the action listed. If you would rather not manage it in-house, that is what we are here for.

Stay ahead of the next change

Legislation moves without much warning. Subscribe to our updates and we will tell you what is coming, in plain English, before it affects your shipments or your drivers. We can also run a free customs audit to check you are ready for what is already in force.

Frequently asked questions 

Does this cover transport rules as well as customs?

Yes. The tracker has two sections: customs and border rules, and transport and driver rules. Jump to the one that affects you.
Right back to the 2016 EU referendum and the UK’s departure from the EU, then forward through every major UK and EU customs and border change since, up to what is already confirmed for the months ahead.
When did the ELO become mandatory?
Yes. ICS2 version 3 has applied across all transport modes since 3 February 2026, and the final EU road rollout completed on 1 June 2026. You need a complete ENS for every shipment into the EU.
It sets cabotage limits, driver posting rules and a regular return-to-base requirement for vehicles. It affects how EU cross-border routes are planned and recorded.
Yes. We manage ELO, ICS2 filings, Delta I/E declarations, and keep our transport compliant with the Mobility Package, tachograph and emissions rules, so the change becomes our job, not yours.
We review it regularly and update it whenever a date is confirmed or changed. The last review date is shown at the top.