Accreditation scheme for haulage companies

This page explains our accreditation scheme for haulage companies who operate effective systems to prevent their vehicles being used by clandestine entrants. For information about clandestine entrants and the fines we may impose on those who carry them, see What vehicle operators must do to prevent clandestine entrants.

Our Civil Penalty Unit has a free accreditation scheme that is open to road haulage companies of any size or nationality operating between mainland Europe and the United Kingdom. To qualify, a company must show that it has an effective system to prevent it carrying clandestine entrants. It must also show that it takes all reasonable steps to ensure the system operates properly, for example by providing regular training and monitoring its drivers.

If your company is accepted onto the scheme and clandestine entrants are discovered in your vehicles, we will not fine you if you are operating in accordance with the scheme

More information on the scheme is in the accreditation scheme leaflet (PDF 79K opens in new window). To apply, you should complete the application form for the accreditation scheme (PDF 41K opens in new window).

Acceptance onto the scheme will help you:

• avoid or reduce fines imposed on your company, provided you are operating according to the scheme;
• reduce the chances of clandestine entrants using your vehicles;
• reduce delays caused by us discovering clandestine entrants in your vehicles; and
• get feedback on how well your protection system is working.

Being on the scheme does not mean you will never be fined. We may fine you if we find you are using a system that is not the same as the accredited one, or that your system is not as effective as it was when you joined the scheme. We will review your accreditation regularly. If we find clandestine entrants in your vehicles, we may contact you and ask you to improve your protection system.

If you give us incorrect information when you apply to join the scheme, we may withdraw your accreditation and fine you if you carry clandestine entrants.

The accreditation scheme is a voluntary one. If you do not join it, you can still avoid being fined by making sure you operate an effective system of protection.

Individual drivers cannot apply to join the scheme. If we find clandestine entrants in one of your vehicles, we may need to interview the driver. We may fine drivers if they have not operated your system properly, even if your company is accredited. You will still be liable to pay any fine imposed on the driver, if he has failed to operate the system properly.

If your company does not qualify to join the scheme because your system and procedures do not meet the requirements, we will advise you on how you can improve them.

If you have questions that are not answered here, you can contact our Civil Penalty Unit.