THE Port of Dover is at the forefront of a national scheme that will revolutionise Customs clearance for goods being exported beyond the European Union.

Dover Harbour Board has invested £500,000 to develop its ClearWay computer system so that it can take advantage of Customs' new export system.

The port is the first to pilot this system which will eventually be implemented at all UK sea and airports. Following the pilot it is anticipated all Customs clearance declarations at Dover will go electronic from March 4.

"The system should lead to a more consistent and improved level of service to our export freight customers and pave the way for future Customs initiatives," said Mike Krayenbrink, ferry business manager for the Port of Dover.

Sue Edward, of Customs and International Trade Business Change, said: "The UK government is committed to the provision of full electronic Customs services by 2005.

"As part of this commitment, the new export system represents a first step in implementing a raft of International Trade changes, which will be delivered in line with Customs Blueprint for International Trade."

More than one in 10 of the lorries using the ferry routes from Dover to mainland Europe carry goods that will benefit from the system.