Dover - Calais freight shipping
Trailer
Reefer trailer
Hazardous cargo
Self-drive
Dover to Calais
Mon-Fri
Sat
Sun
Cut-off times
Pre-booked shipments
Driver-accompanied transport: 2 hours before departure
Unaccompanied trailers*: 2 hours before departure
Hazardous units**: 2 hours before departure
Abnormal loads: 2 hours before departure
Livestock: 2 hours before departure
*See procedure for drop-off and collection of unaccompanied trailers
**Please note that a standard freight unit must be fitted with sufficient points to allow the unit to be adequately secured whilst on board the vessel, which is a minimum of 4 suitable lashing points, in accordance with the rules governing securing of cargo at sea as issued by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency under regulation number MGN 418 (M).
Cross the Channel with the DFDS Spot online ticket
- No account needed
- Pay by credit/debit card
- Easy online booking
- Book on any device - simply book, pay, go
Book and track
Our intuitive online booking system works on any device, so you can book, update and track shipments at your convenience.
Our services
Priority lane service
During the busy periods, a limited amount of vessel space will be available to freight customers who are willing to pay an additional fee of €20 or £20 to depart on an earlier sailing.
Information concerning the shipment of horses
As of January 1st, horses will be subject to Sanitary and Phytosanitary checks (SPS). Therefore, all freight customers shipping horses will be required to make an appointment with the Border Control Post (BCP) 72 hours prior to shipment when shipping from Dover-Calais using this link.
If the appointment has not been undertaken, the horses will not be permitted to enter EU territory and will be diverted back to the UK. Therefore, we have updated our Animal Shipment Policy to ensure that the shipment of animals are pre-advised 72 hours prior to shipment, in line with the new requirements.
For further information, please email dover.fbookings@dfds.com.
DFDS App
The new DFDS App gives you live updates on the Eastern Channel and check-in status for DFDS sailings. It is available in 13 languages for iPhone and Android.
Security advice
We have worked to improve our security by installing double security fencing to the whole perimeter of the Calais terminal, which complies with the ISPS regulations. Therefore, along with the additional number of security personnel and improved camera systems, DFDS continue to support prevention of clandestine activity as much as we possibly can. You can see more information below:
Let us help with hazardous goods
We know that shipping hazardous goods can be an administrative burden. It shouldn’t be - which is why we offer the following:
- Hazardous DGN pre-shipment advisement service
- Hazardous labels available to purchase at the port
- Please be advised that the new IMDG amdt 41-22 will be compulsory from the 1st January 2024. For your guidance, you can find a summary of the changes here.
Contact us
Dover
Booking
Freight bookings
dover.freightbookings@dfds.com
Customer service
Freight customer service
dover.freightcustomerservices@dfds.com
Sales
Freight sales
Calais
Booking
Freight bookings
dover.freightbookings@dfds.com
Customer service
Freight customer service
easternchannel.serviceclientfret@dfds.com
Sales
Freight sales
While on board
Are you a freight driver? Join the RoadKings Club
Sign up to become a RoadKings Club member via the DFDS – Ferries and Terminals App and you’ll receive 15% discount for our onboard Duty Free shops when you travel with us.
Click below to find out how to join and learn more about the benefits you get with the RoadKings Club.
Service charges
MGO BAF Charges
November 2024
1.41 €/Lmn
1.18 £/Lmn
December 2024
1.65 €/Lmn
1.37 £/Lmn
What is MGO BAF?
The Marine Gas Oil Bunker Adjustment Factor compensates for fluctuations in the price of a ship’s fuel.
What is ETS?
The Emissions Trading System (ETS) aims to create a financial incentive for shipping companies to reduce their GHG Emissions.
MGO BAF Eastern Channel charge
The MGO BAF for the Eastern Channel is charged on a per unit basis. For further information or to request a monthly email update please contact the Eastern Channel Freight Sales department.
Hazardous and abnormal loads
Explosives 1.4
Flammable gases 2
Flammable liquids 3
Flammable solids 4
Oxidizing substances 5.1
Toxic substances 6
Corrosive substances 8
Miscellaneous dangerous substances 9
Abnormal loads
Any request for exceeding dimensions will have to be subject to examination and approval by the technical department of the Port (48 hours before departure). Vehicles in excess of the dimensions below are classified as Out Of Gauge and are subject to Port's approval.
- Width: 3m
- Length: 20m
- Weight: 44t
- Height: 4.2m
Please note that if the minimum ground clearance is below 0.3m, please email dover.fbookings@dfds.com for guidance as approval may be required.
For an OOG form, please click on the link: Abnormal Load Form 2020
Frequently asked questions
Visit our support pages for additional information about surcharges, terms & conditions, hazardous goods, DFDS' environmental impact, booking systems and more.
