Exit checks at UK ports and border crossings come into force today, but are now being introduced gradually to avoid major disruption.
From April 8, data on all passengers leaving the country must be collected and handed to the Home Office under a new scheme.
The rules, which apply to all travellers leaving by commercial air, sea and rail transport, are designed to combat illegal immigration.
There had been concerns about the impact on traffic on roads leading to the major ports and Eurotunnel had warned there would be delays.
But the Government has decided to phase in the changes, so that for the first month transport staff will scan all passports but only 25% of the passport holders will have their details verified.
This will increase to 50% verification in early May and by the middle of June will move to 100% verification.
The Advance Passenger Information system, introduced in 2004, already gives the Government information on passengers travelling by air to and from the UK.
A spokesman for Brittany Ferries said its customers wouldn’t notice any difference with the implementation of these new checks ‘because we’ve actually already been prepared for them for the last two and a half years, and have already been swiping passports of passengers departing the UK during that period’.
"We’ve also been working very closely with the Home Office to ensure that the checks will be implemented seamlessly," he added.
P&O Ferries said there were no delays and that passengers had been well informed.
