BIFAlink is BIFA's monthly magazine covering issues of importance for the logistics and supply chain industry.
The magazine of the British International Freight Association BIFA link Incorporating BIFA Standard Trading Conditions 2025 Edition August 2025
INSIDE: Generation Logistics progress • Securing Sevington’s future • The GLEC Framework • BIFA Awards winner pro fi le • Business Leaders Forum • ICS2 implementation
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Issue: 420
Steve Parker’s Column
BIFA’s end-of-term report
BIFAlink is the official magazine of the British International Freight Association Redfern House, Browells Lane, Feltham TW13 7EP Tel: 020 8844 2266 (A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: 00391973. VAT Registration: 216476363) Director General Steve Parker s.parker@bifa.org Member Policy, Compliance & External Affairs Director Pawel Jarza p.jarza@bifa.org Member Support Director Spencer Stevenson s.stevenson@bifa.org Member Services Director Carl Hobbis c.hobbis@bifa.org Member Engagement Director Denise Hill d.hill@bifa.org Senior Policy Advisor – Ocean & Legal matters Robert Windsor r.windsor@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Customs Igor Popovics i.popovics@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Sustainable Logistics Mike Jones m.jones@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Sustainable Logistics Jamie McKean j.mckean@bifa.org Communications Manager Natalie Pitts n.pitts@bifa.org Editorial Co-ordinator Sharon Hammond s.hammond@bifa.org Membership Supervisor Sarah Milton s.milton@bifa.org Web site: www.bifa.org E-mail: bifa@bifa.org Published by Park Lane Publishing peter@parklanepublishingltd.com Contributors Steve Parker, Robert Windsor, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Igor Popovics, Denise Hill, Mike Jones, Pawel Jarza, Natalie Pitts Note to media: If you wish to use items in this magazine that are older than one month, please contact the editorial co- ordinator to ensure that the item in question still reflects the current circumstances. Please be advised that BIFA DOES NOT OFFER LEGAL ADVICE. BIFA is not a law firm and the authors of this publication are not legally qualified and do not have any legal training. The guidance and assistance set out herein are based on BIFA’s own experience with the issues concerned and should not be in any circumstances regarded or relied upon as legal advice. It is strongly recommended that anyone considering further action based on the information contained in this publication should seek the advice of a qualified professional.
A s we approach the end of the academic year, many of us with school-age children or grandchildren will be familiar with the fl urry of end-of-term reports arriving home. That got me thinking — what if BIFA had one too? Here’s a quick look at some of our key ‘subjects’ this year — what we’ve done well and where there’s still room for improvement. Subject: Government engagement
This has been a major focus for us over the past year. Our collaboration with SEC Newgate has significantly enhanced our ability to engage with MPs, government departments and regulatory bodies — and the results are beginning to show. We’ve actively raised important issues such as the approval of the Lower Thames Crossing, expansion support for both Heathrow and Gatwick, and necessary upgrades to CDS and NCTS5 to ensure system reliability and compliance. Report Card: Above Average – solid progress, needs to continue. Subject: BIFA Conference We successfully held the first BIFA Conference in several years. Feedback from attendees was very positive, with many requesting a follow-up in 2026 — which we’re pleased to confirm is in the pipeline. That said, attendance numbers were not as strong as we’d hoped. Increasing Member participation will be a priority for the next edition. Report Card: Good start – needs broader member engagement. Subject: Multimodal Held around six weeks ago, Multimodal was a real highlight. We met with a wide range of Members and industry partners — I personally spoke with 46 different people on Day One alone (and followed up with most of them!). BIFA unveiled a refreshed look at our stand, and the BIFA Village was fully booked and full of energy throughout the event. Report Card: Exceeds Expectations. Subject: Regional Meetings This year has seen a record number of regional meetings, with increased member attendance across the board. However, we continue to face challenges with no-shows — members registering but not attending on the day. We’re working to enhance the value of these meetings by improving both the content and delivery, ensuring they remain relevant and practical for all attendees. Report Card: Needs Improvement – work in progress. Subject: Training and education BIFA has continued to represent members’ interests and concerns about staffing and personnel issues, whilst encouraging Members to recruit and train apprentices. 2025 has seen the launch of BIFA’s Bitesize training service, which gives members access to some very useful training modules and is all part of their membership fee. Report Card: Excellent progress with further commitment scheduled. Subject: Communication We have made significant efforts to improve both the nature of our communication with Members, as well as how it is delivered. BIFA TV has been remodelled and, whilst it remains a work in progress, feedback is generally positive. Report Card: Promising start, but work needed on building audience. Parents’ Evening? Let’s Call It the Business Leaders Forum Our next Business Leaders Forum is scheduled for 1 October at ETC Venues. Please save the date — formal invitations will follow shortly. People often ask whether this event is strictly for senior executives. Our answer: we welcome anyone who is empowered to take action on strategic issues. These sessions are designed to look ahead, tackling key topics shaping our industry and helping attendees stay one step ahead. As always, thank you for your continued support and engagement. Let’s keep learning and improving together.
Director General
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Industry News
Ian Matheson , from Impress Communications, reviews some recent news that might impact on Members’ business. Don’t miss Ian’s weekly news round up on BIFA TV, which can be seen on our You Tube channel. Subscribe by scanning the QR code.
Air cargo spot rates fall again as capacity grows
just weeks after the council refused a similar scheme close by. OVERLAND The sector has welcomed the government’s announcement in early July that key road projects in the Midlands and north of England will be given funding as part of a raft of measures to improve transport routes to boost growth. The projects earmarked include the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine, the M60/M62/M66 Simister Island, and the A46 Newark Bypass, as well as the M54-M6 Link Road in Staffordshire and the A38 in Derby. IN BUSINESS Singapore has emerged for the 12th consecutive year as the world’s top maritime centre in the 2025 Xinhua- Baltic International Shipping Centre Development (ISCD) Index report. This annual report ranks the world’s leading shipping centres based on a comprehensive evaluation of port factors, professional business services and the general environment. Kuehne+Nagel (K+N) retained its position as the top airfreight forwarder last year as the market grew at a rapid rate, led by the e-commerce sector, according to figures provided by consultant Armstrong and Associates. The report showed that K+N saw its airfreight volumes increase by 5.5% last year to 2.1 million tonnes, despite what it described as challenging market conditions. JUST GIVING Nick Blaxill, who has designed and laid out every issue of BIFAlink for the last two decades, is busy preparing to take part in the Transaid Cork to Dublin challenge, cycling 200 miles over three days. Anyone willing to sponsor his fundraising for Transaid can do so at the following url: https://www.justgiving.com/p age/nicholas-blaxill-1
IN THE AIR A Xeneta report in July stated that global air cargo spot rates fell for the second straight month in June, dropping 4% year-on-year as available capacity outpaced demand for the first time in more than a year and a half. Xeneta said the decline has fuelled concerns over a weakening market outlook for the second half of 2025 amid growing uncertainty around international trade. ON THE OCEAN Sea Intelligence reported that global ocean carrier schedule reliability improved by 7.4
percentage points to 65.8% in May, compared with the previous month, to the highest level recorded since November 2023. On a year- on-year measure, schedule reliability was up 10.0 percentage points.
The World Shipping Council (WSC) Containers Lost at Sea 2025 report revealed that 576 containers were lost at sea in 2024, an increase from 221 containers lost in 2023, but remains below the 10-year average of 1,274 containers lost annually. The latest Alphaliner data suggests the global container shipping industry is becoming increasingly concentrated, Company (MSC), now control more than 80% of the world’s total container capacity. The return of a significant number of container shipping services through the Suez Canal from the Southern showing that shipping alliances, together with Mediterranean Shipping Africa route in the near future vanished following two Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea in early July, including one that killed several seafarers. IN THE WAREHOUSE North Northamptonshire Council planning committee has approved IM Properties’ proposals for a 1.9 million sq ft industrial and logistics scheme in Thrapston, which includes detailed consent for a 1.07 million sq ft flagship distribution centre for a global transport and logistics company. The decision came
4 | August 2025
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Industry News
BIFA supports tougher action on freight crime Call to action
Police issue new advice on abnormal loads The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), in collaboration with the RHA’s Abnormal Loads Group (ALG), released new national guidance in June to support police forces in the management of abnormal load movements across the UK. The guidance marks a significant step forward in improving coordination, transparency and efficiency for both law enforcement and the transport industry, and can be accessed at www.npcc.police.uk/SysSite Assets/media/downloads/p ublications/publications- log/operations/2025/npcc- abnormal-load-guidance- 2025.pdf This landmark document aims to create a more predictable operating environment for the movement of abnormal loads, while also supporting the operational requirements of police forces. Key highlights in the new NPCC guidance include: • 30-day window acceptance, • Clarification on embargoes, • Targeted embargo approach, • Police escorts and legal authority. BIFA feels that this new guidance will be of assistance to Members who move abnormal loads and project cargoes, and encourages them to access and utilise the guidance during the planning stages. The NPCC says the guidance will be subject to ongoing review and amendment, so that it remains fit for purpose. The first review will take place 12 months after publication.
Freight crime costs the transport industry a great deal of money, with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) stating that losses totalled more than £1 billion in 2020. It is highly disruptive, impacting supply chains and businesses and driving up costs which, in part at least, are passed on to consumers. For business there are significant issues impacting relationships, potential reputational damage and the administrative cost of managing the loss, including the insurance claim. Particularly if there is violence against the driver during the crime, there is an impact on welfare. Overall this creates a negative
BIFA is encouraging Members to write to their MP to support this Bill, which is due to have its second reading in the House of Commons on 12 September. To fi nd your local MP, please go to https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP. A draft letter template for Members to complete is available to download from HERE. BIFA and the RHA are asking government for the following actions to counter the growing menace of freight crime: • A dedicated crime code for freight crime, • Tougher sentencing for offenders, • Government funding for NaVCIS, the police unit currently funded by our industry.
impression of the sector. In conjunction with the RHA, BIFA has been actively supporting The Rt Hon Rachel Taylor’s Freight Crime Bill,
which aims to make provision about the recording and investigation of freight crime to better understand the full extent of the issue.
Generation Logistics celebrates progress
Carl Hobbis and Natalie Pitts represented BIFA at the 2025 Generation Logistics parliamentary reception in London, celebrating year three of the campaign. It was an insightful event, hosted by Rachel Taylor MP (Chair of the APPG on Freight and Logistics), with Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood MP also speaking. During the reception, Generation Logistics Ambassadors Grace Brown, Archie Combellack and Ellie Musgrave (pictured right) shared the different paths they have taken to join the industry and the opportunities and achievements they have gained so far. What was clear from listening to those individuals is that the campaign is achieving what it set out to do: attract new talent to the sector and provide new career opportunities with some of the world’s biggest employers. BIFA is proud to be an official partner of Generation
Logistics and supports the campaign’s aims in line with its own aspirations of promoting the industry and encouraging others to consider logistics as a career path of choice. We would like to thank the Generation Logistics team for inviting BIFA to attend this prestigious event.
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Industry News
Securing the future of the Sevington Inland Border Facility
It has now been just over a year since the introduction of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on goods imported from the EU, as laid out in the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). As of 30 April 2024, BTOM introduced risk-based checks (physical and documentary) on medium- and high - risk plant and animal products arriving via the short straits. On the same day, Sevington Inland Border Facility (IBF) commenced its operations as the Border Control Post (BCP) facilitating the checks of the affected goods. Originally established in late 2021 as a temporary solution under a Special Development Order granted by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Sevington Inland Border Facility was always intended to support post-Brexit trade needs, with planning permission set to expire on 31 December 2025. Running and maintaining Sevington BCP comes with significant costs, and to fund its operation alongside the implementation of SPS checks, the Common User Charge (CUC) was introduced. DEFRA based the CUC on an estimated annual operating cost, dividing the estimated total cost by the projected
number of SPS commodity lines passing through the short straits routes. A year since the introduction of the CUC, BIFA has been advised that DEFRA is conducting a full review of the CUC rates. The updated charges for the 2025-2026 financial year are expected to be announced soon. In June 2025, the government escalated its commitment to the site by lodging a full Crown Development planning
application with the Planning Inspectorate (PINS). This step, taken through the Crown Development route, transfers the decision-making from the local authority to national level, signalling Sevington’s potential transition to a long-term installation. Once the application passes validation, PINS will commence a 30-day public consultation, after which it will determine whether the proposal should be decided via written representations, a hearing or a
public inquiry.
On completion of the chosen examination process, PINS will issue a report with recommendations. The document will go to the Secretary of State, who will make the final decision regarding Sevington’s future status. BIFA will monitor the developments and keep Members informed as soon as further information becomes available.
The Limits of Liability for Carriers
In association with
By sea – Hague Visby rules (2 SDR): £2.03 per kg £676.90 per package
By air – Warsaw Convention (17 SDR): £17.26 per kg
BIFA STC: (2 SDR): £2.03per kg
By road – CMR (8.33 SDR): £8.46 per kg
Insurance for the Marine & Logistics industries
(The SDR rate on 21 July 2025,
By air – Montreal Convention (26 SDR): £26.40 per kg
according to the IMF website, was 1.01535)
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macbeths.co.uk
August 2025 | 7
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Policy & Compliance
The GLEC Framework and ISO 14083
At the BIFA National Conference in May we welcomed Dr Alan Lewis, Chief Technical Of fi cer of the Smart Freight Centre (SFC), who provided Members with an excellent and informative overview of the GLEC framework
D r Alan Lewis explained that the Smart Freight Centre (SFC) is an international non-pro fi t organisation focused on reducing the emission impacts of global freight transportation. Led by SFC, the Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC) was established in 2014 as a partnership between over 40 leading businesses, associations and industry initiatives involved in freight movement, and backed by experts and other institutes. The GLEC framework provides one universal and transparent way of calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the global multimodal supply chain and can be used by companies to compare and select more fuel-efficient modes and carriers, as well as identifying ways to increase efficiency and reduce costs. GLEC serves as the primary guideline to support the implementation of the ISO:14083 standard for the quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. SFC updates the GLEC framework annually and the ISO standard is updated every five years. BIFA Sustainable Logistics Policy Group BIFA was delighted when Dr Lewis also agreed to attend a meeting of the BIFA Sustainable Logistics Policy Group at the end of June, where he provided a deep dive into the background, structure and content of the GLEC framework, including ongoing developments, links to other standards, the role of emissions factors and emission reduction allocation via Book & Claim. Some of the key points noted during the session are shared here.
GLEC Framework methodology To enable decarbonisation the following steps are required: • Report and calculate credible emissions across the multi- modal supply chain, • Set targets for emission reduction that are science based, • Reduce emissions by implementing solutions as buyer or supplier, • Collaborate and advocate for sector-wide action and supportive policy. The methodology of calculation is mass-distance allocation, based on the mass of goods being transported, the distance travelled and emission intensity. This means that forwarders can use shipment weight, distance travelled and an emissions intensity factor to calculate an accurate estimate of the emissions produced
for a given shipment. GLEC is focused solely on calculating transport chain emissions and the data transfer should reflect the contract arrangements. The data types fall into three categories: • Primary data – A value obtained from a direct measurement, or a calculation based on direct measurements, • Secondary data – Data that does not fulfil the requirements for primary data, • Modelled data – Default values from a published source. Whilst primary data is always preferrable, companies often use a mixture of primary, secondary and modelled data when inputting data for carbon calculations. Emissions associated with relevant empty mileage should also be included. The Emission Factor is a conversion factor that translates
“ The GLEC framework provides one universal and transparent way of calculating greenhouse gas emissions across the global multimodal supply chain
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BIFA News
activity data into GHG emissions. Transport emission factors are used to calculate the amount of GHG emissions produced by different modes of transportation. Assurance By partnering with SFC-accredited tools and programmes, companies can ensure that the GLEC Framework, the industry standard for GHG emissions, is applied correctly. SFC accreditation assesses the methodological conformance and reporting alignment with the GLEC Framework, providing companies with trusted and credible calculations and reports. A list of SFC-accredited software providers is available on its website: https://smartfreightcentre.org/en/ our-programs/emissions- accounting/global-logistics-emissi ons-council/certification/our-sfc- certified-partners/ Ongoing developments Ongoing developments include some country specific developments and sector guidelines. There are also further methodology enhancements, including the CLEVER project (Creating Legitimate Emission Factors for Verified Emission Reduction). The primary goal of the CLEVER Project is to harmonise the calculation of GHG emissions across all modes of transport. The focus is to develop a cross- cutting methodology that leads to standardised emission factors covering various transport modes, fuels (both new and conventional), and production methods. These factors will encompass the entire energy lifecycle, from production to end use, and will offer clearer guidelines for calculating and accounting GHG emissions across all modes of transport. BIFA would like to thank Dr Lewis for his valuable guidance. Further information about the SFC and GLEC can be found via the following link: https://smartfreightcentre.org/en/ our-programs/emissions- accounting/global-logistics-emissi ons-council/
BIFA’s Brooke Neilson was a shortlisted fi nalist for the everywoman in Transport and Logistics awards Recognising rising talent
J ust as BIFA encourages either the Apprentice of the Year or Young Freight Forwarder of the Year categories of the BIFA Freight Service Awards, our own Brooke Neilson was recently shortlisted as a fi nalist in the everywoman in Transport and Logistics awards. In June, Brooke attended the Members to nominate their younger team members to ceremony in London accompanied by (pictured above left to right) Nezda, Ramandeep, Natalie, (Brooke), Sharon, Carl and Shelby. Industry spotlight The awards shine a spotlight on our industry’s most exceptional talent, providing an opportunity for companies and individuals to put forward candidates for categories celebrating all stages of their career journey. BIFA has been a media and distribution partner of these awards for several years, encouraging our Members to participate. It was great to see several of them in attendance as sponsors and finalists. Brooke is BIFA’s Communications and PR officer and was nominated
in the Apprentice of the Year category after demonstrating resilience and leadership throughout her apprenticeship; notably during her manager’s maternity leave last year. With the five other finalists also achieving fantastic results in other areas of the sector, it really was a tough competition. Whilst Brooke was not crowned the overall winner on this occasion, the BIFA secretariat is proud of her being shortlisted as a finalist, which is a massive achievement. She has made a huge contribution to BIFA in her short career and really deserves this recognition. For more information on the everywoman in Transport and Logistics awards go to https://www.everywoman.com/eve rywoman-in-transport-and- logistics-awards/
“ Brooke has made a huge contribution to BIFA in her short career and really deserves this recognition
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BIFA TV
BIFA TV host Natalie Pitts discusses SPS controls with policy advisor Igor Popovics
James Shorey of Planetmark explains how BIFA members can get involved in the carbon census
Industry news at your fi ngertips
BIFA TV is now up and running, providing a wealth of essential industry information as well as documentary-style episodes about people operating in our industry
Tell us what you think! We would love to hear your feedback on our channels of communication, therefore we invite all Members to share their thoughts, comments and suggestions by emailing BIFAcomms@bifa.org. Top 6 Videos Want to know what the buzz is about? Here (right) you can check out the top 6 episodes watched by Members since BIFA TV launched. To watch, simply scan the QR code next to the corresponding episode or click on the image. Don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe! Every weekday morning you can expect the latest episode to be delivered straight to your mailbox, so if you are not currently receiving your daily dose of industry information, please log into your Member Portal on BIFA.org to update your contact preferences to include ‘BIFA TV’. If you prefer watching BIFA TV on your smartphone, you can search for BIFA TV on YouTube and hit subscribe. YouTube app users can then receive notifications when the latest edition is live. Don’t forget! You can also catch up on BIFA TV via LinkedIn. Simply search for ‘British International Freight Association’ then give us a follow to receive your daily dose of industry information.
A s reported in last month’s BIFAlink , BIFA TV is now live! In the second week of new episodes, BIFA welcomed associate member CNS as BIFA TV’s first sponsor. Over the next few weeks viewers will gain an introduction to CNS and its digital trade solutions, alongside the daily dose of industry information. Stories from real people With the introduction of the new BIFA TV studio, we will also be launching feature episodes. These will be documentary-style episodes with the goal of telling real stories from real people across the industry. We hope these will be informative and inspiring to viewers. Production has officially begun on the first feature – telling the story of the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) and the work it does to reduce freight crime, and outlining how intelligence from the freight and logistics sector can help dismantle criminal gangs, leading to a safer working environment for all. Advertising opportunities We would like to take this opportunity to invite BIFA associate members to advertise their
“ Over the next few weeks viewers will gain an introduction to CNS and its digital trade solutions, alongside the daily dose of industry information
products and services to the membership community via BIFA TV. If readers are not already aware, BIFA TV is circulated to audiences across YouTube and LinkedIn, as well as by direct email to over 6,500 BIFA Member employees on our mailing list. Further information on sponsorship packages will be shared in due course. Mike Dawber, Field Intelligence Officer at NaVCIS, is interviewed for the forthcoming feature episode of BIFA TV
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Member Engagement
News from around the regions
Top 6 videos (1-21 July)
New faces Two new regional chairs have recently taken up positions in Manchester and the Midlands: Andy Attwood of EMS Cargo Ltd in the Manchester region and Julian Frattaroli of Savino Del Bene in the Midlands region. Andy and Julian, along with other active regional Members, will help shape the future of their BIFA regions and drive up member engagement and co- operation. As Regional chairs, Andy and Julian will each have a seat on the BIFA Council, which meets twice a year to provide direction to the The BIFA Manchester Regional meeting took place in mid-June hosted by associate member Mantra Learning. In addition to the regular reports from regional representative Andrew Melton, those present heard from representatives of Mantra Learning who outlined their Forwarding Apprenticeship Association. Manchester programme alongside information on the other skills development courses they run relating to warehousing and transport. Humber Two weeks later the Humber region meeting took place at the regular venue near Humberside Airport. The policy group updates were followed by discussion of local issues around the emergency repairs being carried out on the M62 Ouse bridge crossing. The next Humber meeting will be hosted by DFDS on 8 September
and will include a port tour with, subject to operational demands, the possibility of a vessel tour too. Spaces will be limited so book your place early. Midlands The first week of July saw the Midlands meetings take place with guest speakers from the Department for Business and Trade talking about trade agreements and sanctions and BIFA associate member Albacore discussing cybersecurity. Yorkshire Members in the Yorkshire region met at a new venue, The Crook Barn at the Barnsley Tankersly Manor Hotel, where they aired issues they are facing around PVA and GVMS. The new process for short shipments was also discussed. Liverpool The summer round of meetings in the north was completed with the Liverpool meeting, hosted this time by Liverpool John Lennon Airport in the old control building. Robin Tudor of John Lennon Airport told Members about the developments Rodwell from MCP gave an update on the system improvements now available to MCP users. Register now Dates for future regional meetings are now available at https://bifa.org/events/. Register now to attend your local meeting and make the most of your BIFA membership. in and around the airport, while Keiran
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Andy Attwood of EMS Cargo Ltd
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Julian Frattaroli of Savino Del Bene
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3 July 2025 “
As Regional chairs, Andy and Julian will each have a seat on the BIFA Council, which meets twice a year to provide direction to the Association
14 July 2025
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Policy & Compliance
Incorporating BIFA Standard Trading Conditions 2025 Edition A key reason for freight forwarders and customs agents to join BIFA is to bene fi t from the protection offered by the Standard Trading Conditions (STC). In many ways they are the cornerstone of the relationship between BIFA and its valued Members
T he Standard Trading Conditions (STC), which were originally negotiated with the British Shippers Council, are legally comprehensive and balanced. The insurance industry is generally supportive of them because they de fi ne the freight forwarder’s liabilities, thus providing a degree of certainty when considering risk. The courts have upheld individual clauses when challenged, indicating their legal compliance. The reader must remember that it is essential to incorporate the STC into any client contracts to ensure that they (the BIFA Member) benefit from their protection. The BIFA STC have evolved since they were first introduced in 1988; initially they were largely a freight forwarding contract. As business has changed BIFA has noted Members’ increased involvement in customs- related matters, with an emphasis on customs clearance. This has been reflected in various editions of the BIFA STC. STC functions Nowadays, the STC fulfil several functions being: • A forwarding contract between freight forwarder and its client, • Empowerment to act as either a direct or indirect customs agent (Clause 7), • Authorisation for the BIFA Member to appoint a sub- agent where applicable to undertake customs clearance (Clause 7), • Warranty provided by the customer to the BIFA Member that the information provided is correct (Clause 18), • Indemnity from the client to the BIFA Member (Clause 20) for outgoings incurred when acting in line with the client’s instructions,
including tick boxes on websites and quotation systems where the customer indicates that it agrees the business transaction will be subject to the BIFA STC. It is important to emphasise that wherever possible the incorporation should include a positive acceptance of the terms. Circumstances will dictate what is the most appropriate method – the preferred option is an ‘original signature’ but others may be acceptable. It should be remembered that the STC cover both forwarding and customs activities, and that government has stricter criteria regarding evidence of empowerment to act as a customs agent (direct or indirect as per Clause 7 of the STC) than a company may agree to for a purely commercial transaction. The empowerment in Clause 7 is a useful fallback position, particularly for a one-off client. The Association’s strong recommendation to all Members is that, for repeat business, a separate empowerment in writing to act as a customs agent is obtained. BIFA’s Good Practice Guide on the Appointment and Responsibilities of a Customs Agent includes templates that can be used. Compliance viewpoint From a compliance viewpoint it should be made clear during the first contact with a client that “all business is transacted under the current edition of the BIFA STC”. It is advantageous to refer to the specific edition being used – currently it is the 2021 edition but this will soon be superseded by the 2025 edition. There must be documentation evidencing that the STC have been brought to the attention of the customer, who has accepted them. Certainly no business and/or guidance should be transacted until incorporation of them has been completed. This can be done in more than one way, dependent on a Member’s processes. Effectively:
“ It is important to emphasise that wherever possible the incorpor- ation should include a positive acceptance of the terms
• Definition of the time limits for clients to bring a claim (Clause 27) for loss or damage etc. BIFA receives enquiries to claims being made against Members under the terms of the STC. The first question that we always ask is, “Have you incorporated the STC in your contract with the client?”. In many cases there is a positive affirmation of correct incorporation. However, sometimes there is a lack of certainty as to whether or not the STC were correctly incorporated. Some Members have sophisticated electronic methods,
• Digitally via the Member’s IT systems, • Manually – which is usually in writing, • Verbally – only to be used as the last option. The Association’s strongest guidance is that the last-mentioned option is not to be used unless there is no alternative. It is also a very good idea to re-enforce the application of the STC in all communications and company- generated documentation with the customer, such as emails and system generated quotes. These should include a
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Policy & Compliance
link to a relevant web address for the STC to be viewed (this may be your own website or https://bifa.org/information-guidance/trading- conditions/). Where a paper-based system is used, many Members complete incorporation of the STC during the onboarding of a new client. This can be achieved during the credit application process and at this point it is essential to include a copy of, or a link to, the STC including a statement that the customer acknowledges that the STC have been brought to its attention and an opportunity has been provided to read them. A statement should be included in the credit application agreement to the effect that credit is only offered subject to the customer’s acceptance of the BIFA STC applying to all business transacted with the BIFA Member. Failure to do so could mean that the application of the STC may be taken to apply only to the credit agreement and not all business conducted between the Member and client. The client is required to sign any agreement/document in order to confirm acceptance of the incorporation of the STC in all business dealings. With the advent of electronic systems, the paper approach can be undertaken digitally but the same basic principles apply. One point that must be carefully considered is whether or not to accept a digital signature on the documentation. At the moment there is a lack of clarity as to whether or not government will accept a digital signature for the empowerment to act as a direct or indirect customs agent. This is one of the reasons BIFA encourages the completion of a separate empowerment covering this point. Authorised staff Also, it is essential to ensure that any agreement/document is signed by a suitably authorised staff member within the customer’s organisation. Given flatter management structures, Members should consider appropriate checks to verify that the signatory has the authority to enter into such agreements. When drafting the STC, BIFA takes great care to ensure compliance with the Unfair Contracts Act 1977
(UCTA) – one of the key tests is reasonableness. From a commercial viewpoint, two tests are whether or not both parties can contract elsewhere or negotiate terms. This ‘reasonableness’ criteria applies to standard terms including the STC, and their provisions have been upheld in court. Where Members should take particular care is when dealing with a private individual who is acting as a consumer. In this situation, BIFA Members should ensure that they carefully explain the STC and obtain written confirmation that the consumer understands and accepts them. Members should be careful about what is often referred to as “the battle of the forms” where the customer submits either its own or modified BIFA STC stating that these will be contract terms, thus superseding the original STC. STC modi fi cations BIFA does acknowledge that on occasion some modification of the STC may be appropriate – in fact with regards to limits of liability, the potential to uplift this is specifically referred to in Clause 26, including the contractual right of the Member to make an additional charge to cover its costs. Two points to consider are: whether the proposed changes made by the client are acceptable to the Member and secondly that any proposed changes must not undermine the fundamental basis of the STC and be appropriate to the business undertaken. On this subject it is important to ensure all contractual points are agreed and changes documented before undertaking any business. Failure to do so indicates that the Member has accepted the client’s changes to be included in the contractual terms on which business is conducted. In this article, we have examined the importance of incorporating the BIFA STC in all contracts between individual Members and their clients. By doing so Members can maximise the benefits of trading under them, and both parties know their responsibilities and rights. Additionally, included in Clause 23 is an undertaking by the Member to act in a diligent and professional manner.
“ It is essential to ensure that any agreement/ document is signed by a suitably authorised staff member within the customer’s organisation
August 2025 | 13
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BIFA Awards
besides the land/air option via Delhi, Uniserve also opted for sea/air routes via Sri Lanka or Singapore to the UK. Furthermore, Bonnett noted: “Our customer realised there were challenges in other locations, relating to the supply chain or demand for capacity in the lead- up to Christmas. So we found solutions for their shipments from Cambodia, India, China and Pakistan too.” In order to achieve the various multimodal solutions, it was imperative that all stations worked together, with Uniserve acting as control tower. Uniserve also scaled up its operations and warehousing in Dhaka and Chittagong rapidly, bringing in extra staff from elsewhere in the group. Between 23 August and 23 September, Uniserve managed three phases of emergency shipments totalling over 1,000 tons across multiple origins. “Our ability to quickly mobilise resources, optimise routing and maintain meticulous tracking at the SKU level enabled the customer to salvage its peak season inventory despite the crisis in Bangladesh,” Bonnett said. Calmer situation Fortunately, the situation there calmed down quickly. Volumes out of Bangladesh have been slower in the last few months and the intense pressure of last summer is not expected to recur any time soon. As for opportunities in the wider region, Bonnett considered that the China+1 model is likely to run for a good while yet. In fact, he said: “Because of President Trump, retailers are more likely to take that approach because their margins are down and customers won’t want to pay higher prices for goods. “India could potentially compete with China, given its population and the cost of manufacturing; so could Southeast Asia – although a lot of the factories opening there are built with Chinese money and materials anyway.” Uniserve continues to focus on strategic European growth, multimodal service network development and investment in land and property, as well as scaling its award-winning air freight solutions.
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Uniserve saves customer from Bangladesh chaos
When political unrest in Bangladesh disrupted supply chains, Uniserve stepped up with multimodal solutions that impressed the BIFA judges so much that they bestowed the 2024 Air Cargo Services Award on the company
optimal mix of air, sea/air, and land/air services based on product availability and urgency. “Charter is simpler but it’s expensive; we reduced our client’s costs by millions by avoiding charter flights,” Bonnett explained. “Traditionally, it’s just a case of air freighting the goods out of Dhaka, but we had to move large volumes very quickly in this case. So we put them on trucks to the border, where they were able to cross in bond, and then go on to Delhi airport,” Bonnett said. We knew that capacity issues began to emerge at Delhi too as the unrest in Bangladesh continued and alternative routes became more congested. Therefore,
I n mid-2024, Bangladesh was a place of widespread civil disobedience, factory closures and government-imposed Internet blackouts. The disruption to garment manufacturing and supply chains posed a threat to shippers’ ability to meet peak season demand in the UK. Uniserve air freight director Leighton Bonnett recalled: “On 8 August, our client approached us about air charter options from Bangladesh. By 12 August, this hypothetical enquiry became an urgent request to explore chartering ten aircraft starting 25 August 2024.” Optimal mix However, as communication with factories and suppliers improved, it became clear that some orders had progressed and some of the extreme urgency had reduced. Uniserve worked closely with the customer to assess all available logistics routes and determine the
“ We reduced our client’s costs by millions by avoiding charter fl ights – Leighton Bonnett, Uniserve
Air Cargo Services Award
IAG Cargo, the single business combining the strengths of British Airways, Iberia, Vueling, Aer Lingus and LEVEL, has sponsored the BIFA
Awards for over 30 years. The success of the UK Freight Forwarding sector remains as important as ever to Britain’s place in international trade. Our sponsorship of these awards underlines our commitment to not only promote the sector, but to continue working closely with the Freight Forwarding community to deliver more connections and opportunities for global growth.
14 | August 2025
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Member Engagement
BIFA Business Leaders Forum
Sign-up now to join us at the next Business Leaders Forum and get ahead of the curve
and structure of these events. I am currently in discussion with speakers who I believe will bring a great deal of value to your business, but I am always happy to hear from you, the Members, if you have a particular topic that you feel should be covered. “Please email me with your thoughts and I will do my best to secure the best speaker for the topic.” Details of the agenda will be released in due course, but in the meantime you can secure your space by registering HERE.
T he BIFA Business Leaders Forum events were established in 2023 to provide a regular opportunity for the senior management of BIFA Member companies to come together to hear updates on national and international events impacting the industry and discuss the way forward. Wednesday 1 October will see the fifth event in the series taking place in central London and Members are
now invited to register to attend. Steve Parker, BIFA director general, said: “It is my aim to continue to drive member engagement with regular face-to- face meetings that can be accessed by a large proportion of the membership. Your organisation “BIFA is your organisation and I welcome your input to the content
new functions that have not previously been considered or were not previously in scope. A part of the project will also be ensuring that, where appropriate, there is parity across the industry for those performing the same functions. BIFA participates in the review and will feed Members’ views to the steering group. Our aim is to ensure that the new requirements serve their purpose but at the same time are proportionate and not disruptive. Members interested in the review are encouraged to contact Pawel Jarza (p.jarza@bifa.org) at the Secretariat for further information.
Updating the list of aviation functions As the UK CAA begins a review of aviation functions, BIFA Members are invited to contribute views to the steering group
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has begun a review of the existing list of aviation functions to ensure that an up- to-date list of the background checks, vetting and training requirements is in place for the wider aviation industry. The review is being carried out in two phases and in consideration with all recent additions to the Single Consolidated Direction (SCD), such as Enhanced Background Checks (EBC) and Accreditation Checks (AC).
Phase 1 has focused on identifying all functions in order to produce a new function mapping schedule. The proposal will be to include it in future editions of the SCD. Phase 2 will focus on reviewing all existing functions to ensure that the current level of background checking and vetting sufficiently mitigates the vulnerabilities of the function. This will include a full review of all current functions and the proposal of any
August 2025 | 15
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BIFA Awards
Driving freight into the future
BIFA Young Freight Forwarder of the Year Finalist Georgia Gibson is especially passionate about two aspects of logistics: sustainability and bringing young people into the industry
Young Freight Forwarder Award
Virgin Atlantic Cargo is proud to sponsor BIFA’s Young Freight Forwarder Award
G eorgia Gibson’s passion for sustainability in logistics is seeing signi fi cant progress. “Everyone is thinking about it,” she said. “It’s become more important in our day-to-day work at cargo- partner and we also produce reports to assist our customers with their sustainability. Despite the cost, a lot more people are taking action.” As for new blood in freight, Georgia noted that COVID-19 raised the industry’s pro fi le and it is seen as “much more glamorous” nowadays. “People are realising how successful you can be in this industry,” she said. “They’re realising that you’re not pigeon-holed; you see the whole supply chain. There’s so much you can do with a freight apprenticeship or degree. A lot more young people – men and women – are joining.” So, while logistics has been an
industry to a successful future.” Georgia is currently business development manager and trade lane manager UK – Asia. Her goal is to take on global key accounts. “I’ll still work in the spot market, but I want to be a more strategic salesperson and build long-term relationships,” she said. “The Far East is still a focus for me, and so are fashion accounts.” to recognise and encourage the next generation of industry leaders. As well as rewarding the progress of the best young people, this award helps to highlight the vital role freight forwarders play in the growth and development of the industry. VAC recognises the importance of developing and retaining talented young people and is confident this award will help to attract more recruits that want to build a future career in a sector that is so important to the economy and international trade.
“ People are realising how successful you can be in this
ageing industry, “there’s de fi nitely not a drought now”, Georgia continued. “BIFA and Seetec are the drivers, but it’s up to people like me and the Young Forwarder Network to go into schools and drive the
industry – Georgia Gibson
Intrigued by logistics
A PP R ENTI C E OF THE YE AR A W AR D
Menzies LLP provides financial and accounting expertise, combined with strategic commercial
Leah Griggs, a fi nalist in BIFA’s 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award , fi nds great satisfaction in the never-ending learning curve that is a career in logistics and in her dedication to customer service
knowledge of freight. She said: “This is a very interesting industry – you don’t just get trained and that’s it. Learning intrigues me and in logistics there are so many facets of the job to learn. “My future ambitions include advancing my career in freight forwarding by becoming an operations manager and eventually specialising in supply chain optimisation.” thinking. We understand your business via our in-depth sector knowledge and use a consultancy-led approach to challenge your objectives and guide your business growth. Each of our clients experiences our Brighter Thinking approach, the difference we make to our clients. With our in depth transport and logistics sector experience we promise to add real value across key areas of our clients’ businesses – to go further than just balancing the books.
Leah Griggs observed that freight is a 24- hour industry; shipments move 24/7 and unpredictability is always a potential factor in the smooth running of any supply chain. “For instance, if there is a problem when a truck is stopped for inspection late at night and our office only opens the next morning, we can end up incurring demurrage charges,” she explained. “Having someone always on call keeps our trailers moving at Laser Transport International. It’s part of the job.” And Leah is more than happy to take her turn when her manager is away so that any out-of-hours problems can be solved.
She is clearly committed to her work and frequently takes the initiative to ensure customer satisfaction,
whether by coordinating with the logistics team to resolve a last-minute shipment issue, visiting a warehouse in person, or proposing alternative strategies to reduce transit times and costs. Leah is keen to keep developing her
16 | August 2025
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