Extra EU border checks at the port of Dover were temporarily suspended by French police after thousands of holidaymakers faced long delays in hot weather. Wait times exceeded two hours at the Kent terminal for cross-Channel ferries to France. The delays followed the full rollout of the EU entry-exit system, which uses digital registration instead of passport stamps. Dover said Saturday was the first peak period since the new procedures began. Police Aux Frontieres invoked an EES regulation clause allowing checks to be temporarily relaxed while conventional border checks continue. Dover said passengers who missed crossings could use the next available ferry and urged drivers to remain in their cars and treat staff respectfully. Temperatures were expected to reach 29C.
"We are pleased that Police Aux Frontieres (PAF) have responded positively by invoking the article 9 clause of the EES regulations. This allows for checks to be temporarily relaxed. While conventional border checks will still be undertaken, this will now enable PAF to significantly reduce the border processing time, the statement added."
"We will be working with PAF and all our partners to get customers into and through the port as swiftly as possible and keep the roads clear for our local community. The port said passengers who missed their ferry crossing as a result of waiting times would be able to travel on the next available crossing."
"It warned drivers to stay in their cars and treat its staff with kindness and respect, adding that unacceptable behaviour towards staff will not be tolerated. Images at Dover showed long queues of cars at the congested terminal, which is the departure point for ferries to Calais in northern France."
"The delays come a month after the EU's entry-exit system (EES), which replaces passport stamps with a digital registration, became fully operational. The port of Dover said Saturday marked the first peak period since the new procedures were introduced. Describing the situation as challenging, the port of Dover posted on X."
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