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National strike in France

The call for a National strike action on December 5, 2019 – raised last September is unfortunately still happening and, this Thursday, might become a “black Thursday”.

Unions, either trade or corporation, together with the “gilets jaunes” will demonstrate all over the national territory.

The protest movement becomes wider and wider and heavy disruptions are expected to interfere with transport and logistic activities: pick-up and delivery might be postponed and even cancelled.

Below are the main impacts on air, sea and rail activities:

• Terminals in Le Havre, Fos sur Mer and Strasbourg shall be closed with no in (import) and out (export) movements on December 5th
• Pick-up and delivery by barge or rail should be also very difficult
• Air controllers have given a strike notice from December 5th up to December 7th, which may impact short and medium-haul flights and some of the long-haul flights al well, if the strike continues
• Some unions representing the ground handling workers have also called for a renewable strike action from December 5th, and shipments might not be handled in time to catch the flights booked
• Railway unions are also part of the protest.

Generally speaking, the pick-up and/or delivery of any shipment planned this week might be delayed or even postponed: road accesses to the main cities, as well as to both ports and airports might be blocked.

Rest assured that our operational teams will do their best to minimize the effects of this day and keep you posted on a regular basis of any development – bearing in mind that no boarding or uplifting guarantee will be given.

Please reach your usual contacts for a close follow up or for any question you may have.

Introducing DACHSER France

DACHSER France’s beginnings

DACHSER France was established in 1966 from an alliance between the DACHSER group and the French logistics company GRAVELEAU. This fusion gave DACHSER access to strategically important markets in Western Europe and North Africa. It was not until 2009 that Transports Graveleau was 100% sold and became DACHSER Intelligent Logistics.

Brexit: Important information for ASL customers

We face the possible event that the United Kingdom will leave the European Union by the end of October 2019. This will affect shipments from and to the UK and delays are to be expected. Reasons are amongst others that a higher percentage of shipments has to be processed by customs authorities and that European shippers might switch to Air Freight to avoid border controls. We expect delays particularly for shipments that do not move into the UK directly or out of the UK directly but via continental Europe. For example if Sea Freight shipments are unloaded in Rotterdam and then forwarded to the UK via truck and ferry: 

• Fiscal representation in continental Europe will no longer be possible for goods to the UK. Instead, a transit procedure must be opened.
• The expected problems in Calais/Dover will cause delays in the delivery of goods to the UK.
• Incoterms for subsequent deliveries from the EU to the UK may also have to be converted if necessary, as costs for customs clearance have to be included.

Therefore we strongly suggest to ship directly to the UK whenever possible, at least for some time following the Brexit until things clear up.

In addition to that, you can also find our “Brexit checklist” here.