Taking an empty vehicle to France via Eurotunnel

[this is my username]

We occasionally import equipment from France, transporting it using a car or van and trailer. Until this year we have just taken the Eurotunnel car / tourist route, but with the new rules this year we will have to come back on the freight shuttle so that we can go through the customs checks. We understand the procedure for doing that.

On our next trip it looks like it will be most cost-effective to travel out via the freight shuttle, so will be going out through the goods vehicle customs checkpoints. As we will be travelling empty will we have to complete any documentation, or can we just turn up and say we're empty?

I will be asking our customs agent, but I'd appreciate some words of wisdom from someone who has done it rather than asking guy who sits in an office miles away!

Thanks

[iguana]

Freight side or the Vp freight on passenger side?

VP usually cheaper or passenger can be, depends what you are taking.

VP you need a gmr code even if empty, freight side I haven't done for over a month but I was able to declare empty, but generating a gmr code so can be scanned off phone would make it easier, you'll need it for your return when laden anyway.

Edited by iguana on Wednesday 26th October 12:29

[LukeDM]

Every time I have been over empty (lorry) my transport office have provided a GMR and no other paperwork.

[this is my username]

Thanks for the replies.

Our customs agent assured me that I didn't need any paperwork. Got to the freight gates at Eurotunnel and found out that we needed a GMR. A moderate amount of driving around and faffing later we realised that we could raise on ourselves online (just click the option for being empty - very straightforwards) and that did the trick. The guy in the customs shed even managed to read the barcode off my laptop screen.

Have added it our procedures for next time!