BIFAlink
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www.bifa.org
From trainee to managing director Guidance on reporting cargo-related crime to government
BIFA’s Young Forwarder Network (YFN) heard an uplifting talk from Chris Packwood, GEODIS UK managing director, in September. Sharing his journey from trainee to MD, Chris was very open and honest about the challenges he encountered at times. Throughout his talk, he expressed his encouragement for younger people to join the industry as they are “the future of our industry”, and motivated the attendees to always push themselves outside their comfort zones. He also stressed the importance of taking any opportunity that arises by reflecting on his own experiences and left the attendees with the quote: “If you do not try it, you will always look back and think, what if?” Following the talk, guests asked Chris some insightful questions to gain more knowledge about his journey, and he was kind enough to share both the highs and lows. The networking that followed the talk sparked some interesting discussions around future YFN events and gave an insight into what topics YFN members wanted to hear more about. It also allowed the attendees to meet one another – a real advantage of face-to-face events – and engage with people within the industry to create connections. It was the first YFN event for many, but all expressed their enjoyment of the afternoon and left with the
BIFA receives enquiries on a fairly regular basis regarding how to report frontier-related non-compliance to government. There are two main agencies to report crime to: HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Border Force. BIFA asked both organisations for details of who to contact in order to report criminal activity at the border. The compliance teams have given us the following links for Members to follow. Tax fraud can be reported to HMRC at www.gov.uk/report-tax- fraud Information can be submitted anonymously online or via the following telephone number: • From the UK, telephone: 0800 788 887 • Outside UK: +44 203 080 0871 The lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For Border Force, information on reporting a crime can be found at: www.amsallegations.homeoffice. gov.uk/default.aspx/RenderForm/ ?F.Name=Lf62UB7cz4C Other useful numbers: • The Immigration Enforcement hotline on 0300 123 7000, • Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, • The Customs hotline on 0800 595 000, • The Anti-Terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, Members should dial 999 and ask for the police.
Chris Packwood, GEODIS, with local organising committee members Bobbie Costin and Thomas Frost
intention of attending more in the future. Once again, it was another successful event with lots of positive and encouraging feedback. Future events For more information about future YFN events, scan the QR code.
BIFA annual membership renewal reminder
Following the successful introduction of electronic
actioned before renewal invoices are issued; • Membership renewal VAT invoices will be issued early January and payment is required within 30 days; • For Members who subscribe to direct debit membership renewals – payments are applied for mid-January and mid-July each year with VAT invoices being emailed upon receipt of payment.
Membership s.milton@bifa.org Do not forget: it is important that you always let us know of any changes to key contacts, email addresses and location addresses, etc, as soon as they happen in order to ensure that the database and contact details displayed on the BIFA website are kept up to date. Please email s.milton@bifa.org with any amendments as soon as they happen. Thank you for your subscription and we look forward to supporting you throughout 2023.
renewals in January 2021, BIFA would like to remind Members of the process. The new system was well received by Members and has been seen as an improved method for renewal of BIFA and FIATA membership. • BIFA Member company declarations will be emailed to members in mid-November and need to be returned to BIFA no later than 9 December 2022 to ensure that any changes to membership categories are
Should you have any questions, please contact Sarah Milton – BIFA
Permanent closure of Inland Border facilities
Don’t keep it to yourself
Not your copy of BIFAlink? Register for your own copy by contacting Sarah Milton in membership s.milton@bifa.org or visit www.bifa.org/bifalink for a digital version.
Following a recent review of Inland Border Facilities (IBF) usage, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has
The Warrington IBF site will be closing to all customers from 23:59 on 13 November 2022. The Ebbsfleet IBF will also be closing to all customers from 23:59 on 27 November 2022.
HMRC encourages everyone to start using either Sevington or Holyhead with immediate effect as both of the sites are now open and fully operational.
decided to close the IBFs at Warrington and Ebbsfleet.
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November 2022
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