Operation Transmission is now in place to make sure EU bound lorries and trailers heading to Portsmouth International Port are ‘border ready’, with documentation checks taking place at triage sites.
Hauliers must have either have been to a triage point and have a pass, or be a pre-approved special load before heading to the port.
If you are bringing a trailer to the port that will be shipped unaccompanied, you will also need to visit a triage point. This is because the paperwork is for the load, not the driver.
We are expecting the number of hauliers arriving at the port to increase over the coming days and weeks, so it is important that you use the visit the correct triage point. If you are coming from the north (M3, A34), you must follow the yellow and black signs to the main triage point (known as T1) on A31. This is because there is very limited space at the local triage site on the M275 (known as T2).
This will be strictly enforced. If you have travelled from the north and have bypassed the main triage site on A31 you risk being turned away or delayed, which could result in you missing your sailing.
The post code for the main triage site (T1) on the A31 is SO24 0HU.
Hauliers heading to the port for services to the Channel Islands, or to Portico, are not affected by this plan and can carry on as normal.
We advise hauliers to allow an extra 30 minutes to their journey, which will give enough time for the diversion and document checks.
These include the below items. You can also download a government leaflet showing examples of the documentation required here.
If you are a haulier carrying freight considered a special load, you may qualify for an exemption to the triage check - please see the checklist below.
You can download and print leaflets about Operation Transmission, translated into a wide range of languages, at the bottom of this page.