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 October 2025 Race against time: Bringing claims within required limits
INSIDE: British-Ethiopia chamber launch • Golf day raises funds • Great Lakes Seaway push • BIFA Awards winner pro fi le • Renewable fuel obligation • Risks of not preventing fraud
Follow us @BIFA
Issue: 422
Steve Parker’s Column
Doing things differently
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 Jamie McKean j.mckean@bifa.org External Affairs Consultant – Sustainable Logistics Andy Cooke a.cook@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, 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.
I am not a big fan of this time of year. Shorter daylight hours and a slight chill in the air, which reminds us that winter is coming. That said, I was cheered a bit when I noticed a couple of boys playing conkers, the traditional children’s game played using the seeds of horse chestnut trees. I’m not sure if you also played the game, but in my younger days, I certainly did. I was a mean conker player – I had a niner (if you are not au fait with the game, that meant it had triumphed in nine consecutive conker fights).
As I watched these boys battling it out to see who would win, I thought some things don’t change. However, as I got closer, I noticed they were recording wins and taking pictures of their prized conker on their phones. Some things do change! It is the same for our industry and certainly here at BIFA, whilst we still do many of the things that we have always done, there have been some changes. Training and communication For instance, we still offer training, but now so much of it is undertaken via our eLearning platform. We still communicate regularly with our Members. But these days this BIFAlink magazine is only produced in a digital format and our core communications channel is BIFA TV - our daily dose of industry information. If you haven’t subscribed, please do so now via the following link: https://www.youtube.com/@BIFA_TV Representation and engagement We still engage with government to lobby for and promote the interests of our sector, sometimes independently, sometimes alongside others with a common interest. Last month we hosted a meeting of the Alliance of Logistics Trade Associations (ALTA), a collaboration of 12 trade bodies with a shared common purpose, to advance the interests of the logistics industry and the wider economy. Its aim is to provide a single consistent voice to government and regulators on major issues that impact the whole logistics sector, and to advocate for policies and regulations that support a thriving, sustainable logistics industry. Its success will be defined by the level at which freight is considered in cross-government strategies and decisions. As part of BIFA’s efforts to get freight onto the government’s agenda, in late September we had a presence at the Labour Party Conference. We hosted a fringe session focusing on issues related to the UK border, which was attended by MPs and other important stakeholders. We still operate on the global stage and try to influence change. During October I will be at the FIATA World Congress leading a panel on ‘Trump, Trade and De minimis’. On the same day that this issue of BIFAlink is published digitally, our latest Business Leaders Forum will be taking place. We still try to inform our Members about industry changes that may affect their business. The Business Leaders Forums permit us to do this in a face-to-face format, allowing us to include key stakeholders as presenters with which attendees can engage. If you haven’t made it to one of them yet, make sure you sign up for the next one in May 2026. To close on a lighter note, I still find many people having problems in pronouncing the trade association’s name, with many calling us BIFFA, instead of BIFA (BE-FAH). To those still offending, I always say, we do not deal with rubbish!
Director General
October 2025 | 3
www.bifa.org
Contents
IN THIS ISSUE Click on the page to see full story
Page 6 Prestwick launches seafood export service
Page 9 Third charity golf event raises funds for Transaid
Page 3 Doing things differently
Page 8 British Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce
Page 10 Push to boost the Great Lakes Seaway
Page 12 Bringing claims within required timeframes
Page 9 Goodbye Mike Jones
Page 11 Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation review
Page 16 deugro impresses with tropical transport
Page 18 Communication champion
Page 14 Risks posed by handling fake goods
Page 17 BIFA TV milestone
Page 20 A criminal offence: Failure to prevent fraud
Page 23 Around the regions
Page 19 BIFA Awards: An adventure awaits
Page 22 USTR update on Tonnage Tax
4 | October 2025
www.bifa.org
BIFA Website News
NEWS FROM THE BIFA WEBSITE – in case you missed them, recent news stories posted to the BIFA website can be accessed here. Click on the image for the full story
www.bifa.org
October 2025 | 5
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.
Prestwick Airport launches seafood export service
detailed customs technical handbook covering the legislative background, rules and requirements applicable to traders wishing to take advantage of the Temporary Admission (TA) procedures. It can be seen at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance /temporary-admission- customs-technical-handbook A European Commission report about product compliance at the EU’s external borders highlights the need for improved customs controls and co-operation, and in particular how to deal with the rapid growth of e-commerce. The report also shows that customs controls on product compliance are increasing every year. It can be read at: https://op.europa.eu/en/publ ication-detail/- /publication/ea5db20e-840f- 11f0-9af8- 01aa75ed71a1/language-en IN BUSINESS The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) has said recorded cargo losses in the EU totalled €549 million in 2023. That’s a 438% jump compared with 2022, and more than ten times higher than in 2021. Globally, the TAPA EMEA Intelligence System recorded more than 157,000 cargo crimes between 2022 and 2024. In June 2025 alone, 634 incidents were reported across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. OVERLAND China is positioning the inland city of Chongqing as a strategic hub for a high-speed rail corridor connecting Southeast Asia to Europe, offering a faster alternative to traditional sea routes, reported Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post . The overland route, served by daily freight trains, links countries such as Vietnam and Singapore to Germany and Poland.
IN THE AIR Glasgow Prestwick Airport has launched a new seafood export service, backed by a £1million investment in equipment and a dedicated cool chain team. The Scottish gateway has invested in high- volume metal detectors, temperature exposure and tracking systems, and four chillers with a capacity of 87 tonnes in a facility that will support seafood exports to China and mainland Europe. Xeneta reported, in mid- September, that air cargo demand continued to beat expectations in August as
compared with the same month in 2024.
New figures from Cargo IQ, the IATA interest group responsible for performance management standards in air cargo, point to a decline in the on-time performance of major airlines, with average reliability dropping to 77% in July. This represents a decrease from 80% in June and 81% in May, signalling a downward trend that is causing concern within the air cargo sector. ON THE OCEAN Danish liner consultancy Sea- Intelligence has calculated the share of empty relative to full containers, based on TEU- miles, and found that currently The World Shipping Council (WSC) has released a report summarising inadequacies in government cargo inspection programmes, showing that 11.39% of inspected cargo shipments were found to have deficiencies. These include mis-declared and undeclared dangerous goods, incorrect documentation, and improper packing – all of which can lead to serious safety incidents, including ship fires. It also announced the launch of its Cargo Safety Program, an industry-led initiative to detect mis-declared and undeclared dangerous goods using artificial intelligence in order to prevent ship fires, protect crews, vessels, customers’ cargo and the marine environment. ACROSS THE BORDERS HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has produced a 41% of containers are transported empty.
volumes grew again, but the outlook for the remainder of the year remains uncertain. This came after IATA reported a 5.5% increase in global air cargo demand in July 2025
6 | October 2025
www.bifa.org
agency sector management
Outstanding customs and freight management software for freight forwarders. Backed by unrivalled support. Promoting your views and protecting your interests with government and industry. All this, owned by you. Be part of something bigger
.
Air ▪ Ocean ▪ Road ▪ Imports ▪ Exports ▪ C ustoms declarations ▪ Worksheet automation Customs eTariff ▪ CFSP management ▪ Customs Warehousing ▪ Duty management Transit (NCTS) management ▪ Transit (CT) Guarantee management ▪ Import ETSF management ▪ Export DEP management ▪ Job costing and invoicing ▪ Purchase invoice reconciliation ▪ Air waybills and eAWB ▪ Bills of lading ▪ Barcoded cargo labels Consignment security declarations ▪ Collection and Delivery notes ▪ Consolidation management and Manifests ▪ eDocument management ▪ Archiving ▪ Limitless integration ▪ Limitless automation
asm (uk) ltd @asmukltd
www.asm.org.uk admin@asm.org.uk service desk
BIFA News
UK forwarders greet launch of British Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce
Steve Parker, director general of BIFA, has
was further cemented by the recent signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BIFA and the EFFSAA in Addis Ababa, as reported in the July issue of BIFAlink . The agreement aims to strengthen Ethiopia’s logistics and freight forwarding industry through international cooperation, including joint Operator (MTO) course, a UK knowledge exchange mission, and support for EFFSAA’s institutional development. Both associations will also collaborate on the organisation of the FIATA 2027 World Congress, which is set to take place in Ethiopia. The launch of the BECC was specialised training, a Multimodal Transport
attended by key government and business leaders from both nations, and celebrated the Chamber’s potential to act as a dynamic platform for deepening bilateral partnerships in sectors ranging from logistics and technology to agriculture and energy. Parker added: “By aligning diplomatic engagement, business connectivity and industry expertise, the launch of the BECC and the partnership between BIFA and the EFFSAA sets the foundation for a more integrated, efficient, and prosperous trade relationship between the UK and Ethiopia. “This should be good news for BIFA Members whose freight and logistics services underpin such trade.”
welcomed the launch of the British Ethiopian Chamber of Commerce (BECC). Speaking at the offical inauguration, he said: “Together, BECC, BIFA and the Ethiopian Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents Association (EFFSAA) – with the support of the Ethiopian Embassy – form a powerful alliance to drive trade facilitation, build capacity in critical infrastructure sectors, and support Ethiopia’s broader logistics transformation goals.” The launch of the BECC at the Ethiopian Embassy in London reflected the growing momentum behind UK- Ethiopia trade collaboration. This spirit of collaboration
Dangerous Goods by Air Training E-Learning Courses (In-house classsroom courses also available) 7.3 Processing and accepting dangerous goods £399*+VAT 7.1 Preparing dangerous goods £399*+VAT
+ DGSA + Consultancy + Publications + Labels
• Student support • Flexible learning • Study sessions • Convenient
Contact us: Call: +44 (0) 800 644 6799 Email: info@dgonline.training Web: www.dgonline.training
Training Approval Reference 019979
*Use coupon code BIFA10 at checkout to recieve 10% o昀 all air E-learning courses. (Excludes publications, shipping, examination resit, labels and sea courses.)
8 | October 2025
www.bifa.org
BIFA News
Third charity golf event raises funds for Transaid
Goodbye Mike After almost 11 years’
service to BIFA, Mike Jones retired from the association at the end
Following the success of the fi rst two golf days, BIFA returned to the prestigious Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa near Liverpool on a fabulous day for some friendly competition, networking and fundraising. Forty players raised an impressive £1,847 for BIFA’s official charity partner, Transaid, a cause close to the hearts of many in the industry. The funds will go directly to supporting Transaid’s work in sub-Saharan Africa. The main competition was a four-ball team event, and the overall winners were from Genco Logistics. Runners-up were Irish Freight Solutions, with the team from Ligentia in third place. Alongside the team event and the usual nearest the pins, there was an individual singles competition for those with official handicaps, which was won by Mel Pipe from Elite Universal with an impressive 38 points playing off a handicap of 3.1 which, if you don’t know golf rules, is very good. Carl Hobbis, BIFA member services director, who organised the event said: “We really appreciate everyone’s time and generosity. These events are clearly proving popular and it’s nice to see Members together enjoying themselves in a more
of September. For the past two years Mike has been managing the Sustainable Logistics Policy Group and reporting on issues such as decarbonisation, alternative fuels and management of environmental policies. Having begun his career in freight forwarding in 1977 with Pandair Freight Ltd, Mike held a variety of positions encompassing many areas of sales, admin and operation. He later held roles London Underground where he was responsible for the logistics in relation to track and signals for the network, with particular emphasis on maintaining service through the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. Mike joined BIFA in with Hitachi as logistics manager and with TfL December 2014 as policy advisor for air, aviation security and dangerous goods before switching his focus to sustainable logistics and the environment. The BIFA secretariat thanks Mike for his service and wishes him all the best in his retirement.
Above: The winning team of Ben Corcoran, Tom Carruthers, Lee Gerrard and Mike Gleig, with Carl Hobbis, BIFA (centre). Below: Mel Pipe, best individual player.
informal environment. We would like to organise or support more events around the country in the future.” Maddy Matheson, head of fundraising, Transaid, who joined the event, commented: “We are so grateful to BIFA and all who took part for their continued commitment to Transaid’s mission. Every swing really does make a difference!” If you want to register your interest for our 2026 charity golf events, email Carl Hobbis at c.hobbis@bifa.org
The Limits of Liability for Carriers
In association with
By sea – Hague Visby rules (2 SDR): £2.05 per kg £682.18 per package
By air – Warsaw Convention (17 SDR): £17.40 per kg
BIFA STC: (2 SDR): £2.05 per kg
By road – CMR (8.33 SDR): £8.52 per kg
Insurance for the Marine & Logistics industries
(The SDR rate on 26 September 2025, according to the IMF website, was 1.02326)
By air – Montreal Convention (26 SDR): £26.60 per kg
+44 (0) 1628 532613
macbeths.co.uk
October 2025 | 9
www.bifa.org
Policy & Compliance
Duluth Minnesota, the furthest inland port in the world
Push to boost the Great Lakes Seaway as a UK-US trade route
The UK and US authorities, along with various ports, are promoting the Great Lakes Seaway as an easy option for exporters, as well as reducing carbon emissions and adding to supply chain resilience
person, and receive real time answers and support, and build key relationships. There has already been engagement including delegations visiting the UK from the US. In 2025, exporters can join the UK/US GLS Trade Route Pilot Program to ship goods via GLS. It is intended that members of the Trade Route Pilot Program will meet with carrier(s) and existing port leaders to discuss their needs prior to a US delegation visit to the UK. The pilot program members, both from the UK and US, will meet in the UK during February 2026 meeting with carriers and port operators, thus generating media attention. BIFA supports this initiative because developing trade benefits its membership and can assist in reducing carbon emissions and thus help global sustainability goals. The project is still in the development stage although it seems to have generated interest amongst shippers to/from this area. If a BIFA Member is interested in participating in this initiative they should contact Jan Bauer directly – her details are below. If you are aware of any of your clients who have business interests in this geographical area, please share this article with them. For more information contact: Jan Bauer, UK Government Office, Minnesota (MN), at jan.bauer@fcdo.gov.uk
B IFA has been approached by a UK government of fi cial in Minnesota requesting that we make Members aware of an initiative to develop a new UK to/from US trade lane. The Great Lakes Seaway (GLS) is an under-utilised international waterway that reaches the furthest inland port anywhere in the world, Duluth Minnesota. With free trade zones similar to UK free ports, and access to multiple rail spurs and ground transport, the US Great Lakes ports provide easy access to middle and western America and Canada, in a sustainable, more efficient way. The UK government, US Department of Transportation and the State of Minnesota, along with (Southampton, Liverpool, London Gateway) are keen to establish this route and support companies, freight forwarders and 3PL companies in making this an easy option for exporters, while reducing carbon emissions and adding to supply chain resilience. Some ports can currently only handle bulk/conventional cargoes, but more will develop a container capacity in the next two years. The objective of the project is to establish a regular trade route between the UK and US, utilising the US GLS ports (Duluth, Cleveland), and UK ports
the Great Lakes Seaway, that will reduce carbon emissions, enhance the flow of goods, increase opportunities for trade, and create jobs. Bene fi ts of this route: 1. Supply chain resilience and redundancy – Adding this route to your existing supply chain builds resilience and redundancy in an age of disruptions. The US plans new taxes on carriers’ Chinese vessels in their fleet. GLS vessels fall under the threshold size and are specifically excluded from this fee. 2. Sustainable – Reduce your supply chain’s carbon emissions by 40-60% using the GLS, by eliminating rail/truck to and from the US east coast ports or Canadian ports. 3. Reduced shipping time – Duluth to the UK is only two weeks versus four to six weeks, while Cleveland to UK is eight to ten days versus three to four weeks, using east coast ports. 4. Cash is king – The faster movement of goods to client is believed to facilitate faster payments. 5. Boutique Ports = white-glove service – Smaller ports provide a white-glove service, unlike large ports. Call, get a real
“ It is intended that members of the Trade Route Pilot Program will meet with carrier(s) and existing port leaders to discuss their needs prior to a US delegation visit to the UK
10 | October 2025
www.bifa.org
Policy & Compliance
The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation statutory review response
The DFT has committed to looking at a range of fuel options via various consultations, including convening an expert working group to explore increasing ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current E10 (10%) limit in the UK
I n recent months BIFA has developed a collaboration with the Renewable Transport Fuel Association (RTFA), a trade body formed to promote the rapid decarbonisation of transport through substituting high carbon intensity fossil fuels with renewable and sustainable alternatives. The RTFA represents the interests of the UK’s renewable and low carbon fuel producers and promotes the uptake of better road, aviation and maritime fuels. The RTFA provides BIFA with industry information and recently provided an update on the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), which has been subject to a statutory review by the Department for Transport (DfT). As with any policy, the RTFO must evolve to best meet the challenges of today. Therefore, through a recent call for evidence, the DFT has requested industry Since its introduction in 2008, the RTFO has been a pillar in the UK’s effort to decarbonise the vehicles driving on our roads and since the last major changes to the RTFO in 2018, the low carbon fuel sector has continued to develop. More recently, it has been complemented by the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate and the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate. Collectively, these schemes are accelerating progress towards net zero. While the accelerating shift to zero emission vehicles is evident on UK roads today, clean technologies for some segments of the freight perspectives on the future development of the scheme. Decarbonisation pillar
transportation sector will take longer to mature. For these heavier applications, low carbon fuels will remain an important interim measure for reducing transport emissions during this period. In particular, aviation and maritime are likely to continue to use combustion engines, making alternatives to fossil fuel essential in supporting pathways to net zero. An important part of UK government policy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from road transport requires an increasing proportion of road fuels to come from renewable sources. The RTFO is largely met by blending renewables into the petrol and diesel fuel pools, with bioethanol being the main renewable blended into petrol, and biodiesel for diesel. The standards for petrol currently stipulate that ethanol must be higher than 5%, but not more than 10% in ‘E10’ grade fuel; and no higher than 5% in E5 ‘protection grade’ fuel (eg super unleaded) to provide protection for owners of older vehicles. In its statutory review response, the DFT has committed to looking at a range of things via various further consultations, including convening an expert working group to explore increasing ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current E10 (10%) limit in the UK. They will also consult on: • Proposals for the future target trajectory - this will include options for increased targets; • Support for development fuels;
• Broadening the RTFO to include fuels produced from nuclear energy; • Broadening the list of eligible non-road transports to include hydrogen fuel cell mobile generators. What’s in the policy? The policy development process will include: • A call for evidence, to be published later in 2025, on the eligibility of different types of crops in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate. • As set out in the Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, implementing International Maritime Organization regulations We understand there will also be working groups convened later this year to discuss the results of the call for evidence. BIFA will continue working with the RTFA to ensure Members are informed about the operational impacts of any future fuel obligations, and to highlight how the expansion of low carbon fuels can support Members in providing greener freight transport solutions for their customers. The full statutory review response published by the DFT can be viewed here: RTFO statutory review and the future of the scheme: summary of responses and policy update and, subject to consultation, introducing complementary domestic fuel regulations.
“ BIFA will continue working with the RTFA to ensure Members are operational impacts of any future fuel obligations informed about the
• How low carbon fuels are rewarded under the RTFO;
October 2025 | 11
www.bifa.org
Policy & Compliance
Bringing claims within required timeframes BIFA has noticed an interesting case in the UK courts looking at the issue of time bars, including their application under the Hague Visby Convention. Robert Windsor takes a closer look at the issue and provides general guidance for forwarders
W hen considering a claim for loss or damage to cargo there are two separate timescales to be aware of: • The first is to bring to the attention of, usually, a carrier that cargoes have been lost, damaged or misdelivered, sometimes referred to as ‘taking out reserves’. • The second is being aware when the ‘time bar’ becomes effective. What is meant by the term ‘time bar’? It is a contractual provision or legal rule that sets a strict deadline for a party to take a specific action, such as submitting a claim or notice, or for filing a legal case. If the deadline is missed, the party loses its right to pursue that claim or action, and it becomes time-barred. Most international conventions and trading conditions include such a clause aiming to focus minds on settling claims and disputes within a required time scale. Elements to remember BIFA has looked at this matter in more depth and felt it important to clarify matters for Members. In BIFA’s opinion there are three different elements for Members to remember: • The time limit in which a claim for loss or damage must be made to the carrier or its representative – these are usually a relatively short timeframe; • The time bar for commencing legal action; • The limits of liability, which vary between each different international convention and set of trading conditions. On 13 November 2024, the UK Supreme Court handed down judgment in FIMBank Plc v KCH Shipping Co., Ltd [2024] UKSC 38 , holding that the one-year time bar in Article III, rule 6, of the Hague and Hague- Visby Rules applies to claims in relation to misdelivery after discharge, as well as to other breaches of duty by the carrier occurring after discharge but before delivery. From many viewpoints the key part of the decision was the confirmation of the one-year time bar, although the ruling clarified in what circumstances it was applicable. The case highlights the importance of ensuring that claims and legal action are initiated within the timeframes permitted by the relevant convention or trading conditions. Importantly, from the Member’s viewpoint, the key takeaway is the need to submit initial notification of claims promptly to carriers when there has been loss
or damage. In a way this is a double-edged sword as, by implication, it places responsibility on the client to check received cargo and notify its freight agent of any discrepancies within the specified timeframes. Please refer to the list below (right) for the main conventions and the timescales for notifying a claim to the carrier. Application of time bars Regarding the application of time bars, these vary considerably between international conventions and trading conditions. Depending on circumstances there can even be variations within the same convention. In general terms, a one-year time bar applies in most surface international conventions. The CMR Convention is the most complex international convention applying different time bars for partial and total loss of cargoes and a three-year
“ A time bar is a contractual provision or legal rule that sets a strict deadline for a party to take a speci fi c action, such as submitting a claim or notice, or for fi ling a legal case
12 | October 2025
www.bifa.org
Policy & Compliance
“ In general terms, a one-year time bar applies in most surface
international conventions.
time bar in the case of wilful misconduct. We hope that this
article has highlighted the need to submit the initial claim promptly against the carrier
on behalf of clients who have suffered a loss, which may take some time to resolve. BIFA has issued guidance entitled Insurance and Claims Handling for BIFA Members (Freight Forwarders) Guidance , which Members are encouraged to access. In many ways, submitting the claim is the easiest part of the claim process; the more difficult part is to decide when legal action should be commenced.
Please note that while every care has been taken preparing this guidance, the
matters referred to in it are subject to review, renewal and amendment. This document does not constitute advice and the views of a specialist, suitably qualified, solicitor should be consulted for additional information.
International Convention CMR
Notification Period Loss or damage – at the time of delivery in the case of apparent loss or damage, or within seven days of delivery in the case of concealed damage For delay – within 21 days from the date when the goods were placed at the disposal of the consignee For loss or damage – at the time of removal of the goods from a container where it is apparent. If not apparent the claim must be notified within 3 days For loss or damage the time limit is 14 days from the receipt of the cargo For loss or damage the time limit is 14 days from receipt of cargo
Limits of Liability for loss or damage For loss or damage 8.33 SDR per kg of gross weight affected For delay the damages shall not exceed the value of the freight charges
Hague Visby
2 SDR per kg of gross weight affected, or 666.67 SDR per package/unit (whichever is the higher)
Montreal Convention
26 SDR per kg of the gross weight affected
Warsaw Convention
17 SDR per kilo of the gross weight affected
SDR – Special Drawing Right, an international reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969. The value of the SDR is based on a basket of five currencies— the US dollar, the euro, the Chinese renminbi, the Japanese yen, and the British pound sterling. Refer to the table on page 9 of this issue of BIFAlink
October 2025 | 13
www.bifa.org
Policy & Compliance
Risks posed by handling fake goods Logistics professionals need to take great care not to become involved in transporting counterfeited goods as this could expose them to intellectual property actions, product liability claims and abandonment costs – potentially leading to uninsured fi nes and imprisonment
T he global trade in counterfeit goods is a constant threat to economies, consumers and supply chains around the world. According to a May 2025 report by the Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union Intellectual Property Of fi ce, the illegal trade in fake and potentially dangerous goods is worth over US$450 billion a year. As such, counterfeit cargoes continue to expose transport and logistics professionals to fi nes, product liability claims and abandonment costs if they fail to spot them. Scale of the problem Clothing, footwear and leather goods are among the sectors most affected by counterfeiting, accounting for nearly two-thirds of seized cargoes. Hazardous fakes, including car parts, medicines, cosmetics, toys and food are also common, posing a serious risk to consumer health and safety. Around 30% of counterfeit cargo seized by European Customs authorities in 2024 was considered to be potentially dangerous. Mathias Cormann, OECD secretary-general, said: ‘Illicit trade threatens public safety, undermines intellectual property rights and hampers economic growth, and the risks could increase as counterfeiters leverage new technologies and techniques to avoid detection.’ According to the OECD and EU
report, 74% of seized counterfeit goods were made in China and Hong Kong, with countries from Asia, the Middle East and Latin America also involved. It also highlights how illicit manufacturers are increasingly using international shipping, with around a fifth of the value of fake goods seizures now found in containers. Counterfeiters adopt localisation strategies too, shipping parts or packaging to assemble fake products closer to end markets, which further complicates detection. They also take advantage of less- scrutinised shipping methods, with around two-thirds of seizures involving small parcels and mail. Risk to transport professionals A freight forwarder acting as the importer of record of fake goods, whether knowingly or not, faces various risks. Any goods that cause bodily injury, either by being unsafe to use in the same way as the genuine goods they pretend to be, or by being made from toxic or hazardous materials, could face a major product liability claim. Counterfeiting is considered a serious crime in most countries. Freight forwarders could therefore also be subject to intellectual property actions brought by genuine manufacturers, resulting in fines and imprisonment. In addition, counterfeit cargoes are at a high risk of being abandoned when enforcement authorities start to close in, leaving transport and logistics providers facing rapidly rising demurrage and
detention costs. It is therefore vital to avoid transporting, storing or handling goods that are clearly or likely to be fake. Spotting red fl ags Counterfeiters use various methods to disguise the country of origin of their goods. In most cases this means disguising the fact that well known international branded goods have been illegally copied and shipped from China. As well as falsifying cargo and shipping documentation, counterfeiters re-route goods to hide where they came from. Lightly governed free trade zones and bonded warehouses are also used to help cover illicit cargoes by layering fakes alongside authentic goods. The fraudulent shipments are then broken up and re-directed to other ports, where the process begins again. Requests for switch bills of lading should always be seen by carriers as a possible ‘red flag’ for someone wishing to transport fake goods. The naming of other unusual countries of origin, use of strange trade lanes and inter-regional moves should also be seen as potential warning signs. Freight forwarders need to be wary too of being asked to break consignments down into multiple small parcels for drop shippers, as these are often used by counterfeiters to avoid scrutiny by customs authorities. New transport modes, such as the China-Europe rail routes that
“ According to the OECD and EU report, 74% of seized counterfeit goods were made in China and Hong Kong, with countries from Asia, the Middle East and Latin America also involved
14 | October 2025
www.bifa.org
Policy & Compliance
national enforcement agencies, and gathering and sharing intelligence on suspected counterfeiting activities, will also help to mitigate the risk of being engaged in the fake goods trade. Conclusion Counterfeiting is one of the world’s most lucrative and insidious forms of transnational crime, closely linked to modern slavery, human trafficking and the illicit trade of weapons and drugs. Transport and logistics professionals need to take great care not to become involved in handling, storing or transporting counterfeited goods as this could expose them to intellectual property actions, product liability claims and abandonment costs – potentially leading to uninsured fines and imprisonment. Vigilance, due diligence, trusted supplier networks and collaboration are all steps that can be taken to reduce the risk, together with appropriate transport liability insurance cover. BIFA would like to thank the TT Club and Phil Lewis, director general, The Anti-Counterfeiting Group, for allowing the reproduction of this article.
“ Requests for switch bills of lading should always be seen by carriers as a possible ‘red flag’ for someone wishing to transport fake goods
have opened in recent years, also need careful monitoring. Vigilance and due diligence are vital to avoid handling, storing and transporting fake goods. It comes back to the old adage ‘Know your customer’. TT Club published a StopLoss guide on due diligence practices in 2024. It focuses on the processes that can be considered by all supply chain stakeholders to evaluate and manage counter- party relationships in ways that
protect their business interests and mitigate the associated risk exposures. Equally important is to develop a trusted supplier network and audit suppliers as part of all contractual arrangements to ensure supply chain security. The introduction of ‘Know your customer’ or ‘Know your supplier’ schemes can help with cargo fraud prevention and encourage customers and suppliers to observe stricter standards. Collaboration with local and
BIFA Standard Trading Conditions (STC) Review
Following a comprehensive review, a revised set of BIFA Standard Trading Conditions (STC) will come into effect from 1 January 2026 BIFA Members are invited to join a webinar to learn about the reasons for the review and what the changes mean. The review was led by BIFA’s Legal and Insurance Policy Group in consultation with solicitors, insurers and the wider BIFA membership. The review resulted in the biggest re-write of the BIFA STC since they were originally published in 1988. In this webinar, Robert Windsor will present the 2025 conditions to Members, pointing out the most significant changes to the wording of clauses and the potential impacts on Members’ business. The new conditions will be the only valid BIFA STC after 31 December 2025. Members will be reminded that the STC must be properly incorporated into all customer contracts in order that the member benefits from the protections
Webinars will take place on: Tuesday 14 October 11:00-12:30 Thursday 23 October 15:00-16:30 Register your attendance now.
offered and that the new terms must be brought to the attention of all existing customers. Insurers and any overseas agents must also be advised of the switch to the new set of conditions.
October 2025 | 15
www.bifa.org
BIFA Awards
sequence to meet the plan. It also has cost benefits from economy of scale and means cargo can be handled safely with due consideration for anything that requires special handling or preservation before delivery to the end user.” deugro Oceania continues to work with local construction companies, mining, and oil and gas companies on projects in Papua New Guinea. In Australia, the forwarder is involved in the transition to renewables and the new transmission grid, as well as continuing to support its long-term clients in power generation, mining, and oil and gas. “In terms of increasing gas exports from Papua New Guinea to Asia, we expect this area to improve, especially to Japan and Korea,” Booth said. “We will hopefully see projects in Papua New Guinea receive FID approval in 2025/26 on several drilling, FPSO and LNG-related projects due for construction or campaigns from 2026-2032 and beyond.” deugro UK Back in Britain, where there are fewer snakes to contend with and the climate is much more forgiving, deugro is also keeping busy. Country manager UK Ben Cunnington highlighted Antwerp’s INEOS Project One ethane cracker as just one of the projects deugro UK was involved in at the time of writing. In collaboration with deugro China and deugro Chartering, and with support from deugro Antwerp, deugro UK transported ten storage bullets and additional equipment from China to Antwerp. The move involved over 6,890 tonnes of cargo shipped on two heavy-lift vessels. Some pieces weighed nearly 740 tonnes and were almost 50 m long. “We are currently shipping modular buildings from UAE to Antwerp for this project too,” Cunnington said. He noted increasing activity around green initiatives in the UK, with projects such as the Net Zero Teesside gas-fired power and carbon capture project ramping up, and growing interest in small modular reactors for the nuclear industry.
The majority of the cargo was delivered from Lae to Manus Island by an LCT supply vessel
equipped with a 50-tonne crane deugro impresses with tropical transport triumph
The winner of this year’s BIFA Project Forwarding Award was deugro, whose management of a wildly challenging project in Papua New Guinea impressed the judges
cargo flew on over 100 part-charter flights; the remainder was delivered from Lae by a Landing Craft Tank supply vessel equipped with a 50-tonne crane. With 154 return voyages totalling over 120,230 nm, it delivered 48,685 tons of cargo – including transformers, building components, construction machinery, foodstuffs, electrical equipment and over 4.356 million litres of fuel. A 24/7 team of project managers employed on a fly- in/fly-out basis oversaw the work. Key to the success of the project was the creation of logistics nodes at Lae and the jobsite. Booth said: “The ability to consolidate or deconsolidate is the best way to manage cargo in a logical
‘W ildly’ challenging seems an apt description. For a start, said Paul Booth, regional director – Oceania at deugro: “The site was very remote, across 400 nm of ocean. It’s a tropical environment, sometimes very hot, very dry or very wet. There are unexploded bombs left over from the Second World War, a lack of local food, water, power and reliable Internet – and there are crocodiles and snakes, too.” Multiple shipments The project itself was complex, involving the coordination of multiple shipments from different points of origin in Asia and Europe to Australia and Papua New Guinea, from where deugro delivered it to the construction site on Manus Island. Approximately 800 tonnes of
“ The site was very remote, across 400 nm of ocean – Paul Booth, deugro
Macbeth Insurance Brokers were extremely proud to sponsor the Project Forwarding Award. Whether your business specialises in freight by sea, air, road or rail, or handles specific goods, we can provide advice on applicable trading conditions and contractual obligations. Project Forwarding Award
16 | October 2025
www.bifa.org
BIFA TV
“ The best way to ensure that you never miss a BIFA TV episode is to subscribe to
During September, BIFA TV hit another milestone with the release of over 300 episodes covering a wide range of relevant topics BIFA TV milestone
September’s top 5
12 Sept 2025
R egular BIFAlink readers will be aware that we highlight the most-watched episodes of BIFA TV each month, providing you with direct links or a QR code to make it simple for you to access these from your computer or smartphone. The most popular episodes released in early September are listed on this page, along with two episodes from late August that convey important information for Members. Subscribe today The best way to ensure that you never miss a BIFA TV episode is to subscribe to the BIFA YouTube channel directly. Additionally, you should update your communication preferences in the BIFA member portal to include BIFA TV alongside the other topics that are important to you and your business. If you have not yet created your account in the BIFA member portal, contact BIFA Communications. Repository With the BIFA YouTube channel, BIFAlink magazine, BIFA Bitesize Training and the BIFA website itself, there is a vast library of information at your fingertips specifically written for freight forwarders by (ex-) freight forwarders. Make the most of your BIFA membership and explore all the options to keep up- to-date and ahead of the crowd.
the BIFA YouTube channel directly
4 Sept 2025
1 Sept 2025
9 Sept 2025
10 Sept 2025
“ Make the most of your BIFA membership and explore all the options to keep up-to-
Important information from late August
22 Aug 2025
26 Aug 2025
date and ahead of the crowd
October 2025 | 17
www.bifa.org
BIFA Awards
Communication champion Eager to seize opportunities for both personal and career development, BIFA Apprentice of the Year Award fi nalist Luis Matthews looks set for a bright future in freight
APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Menzies LLP provides financial and accounting expertise, combined with strategic commercial
have to have a base of knowledge and experience first,” he acknowledged. “You also need self-awareness – you’ve got to know when you’re ready to move into a new role.” Pointing out that descriptions of young people can be inaccurate – such as Gen Z being lazy – Luis said: “I enjoy working with older people who have experience; I always ask them if they need any extra help, which helps me gain knowledge and confidence. If you apply that knowledge yourself, you can’t go wrong.” 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.
Luis Matthews said: “I really enjoy the opportunities you get in this industry – like taking customers to corporate events at Manchester United. This experience enhanced my confidence and also deepened my understanding of how to effectively interact with our customers, which is crucial to any company’s success.” He stressed the importance of excellent communication with colleagues, staff and customers, saying: “You need to work out people’s personalities and adjust how you approach them to build rapport.” Besides his obvious confidence and initiative, Luis feels there is another key
component for a successful career in logistics: “Time management! You usually have multiple jobs on the go and you have to understand what you need to do at any given time.” Having supported new apprentices at Ligentia UK, Luis is keen to progress to a management position in due course. “It’s nice to have responsibility, but you
18 | October 2025
www.bifa.org
BIFA Awards
Thursday 15 January 2026 is the destination for this adventure and tickets for the event will go on sale in late October. We are excited to announce that the host for the ceremony, our expedition leader for the day, will be the TV presenter, adventurer, author and conservationist Steve Backshall. Best known for his daring expeditions and captivating television career, Steve will be recognised by many for his numerous wildlife and expedition programmes including the BBC series Deadly 60 and Expedition with Steve Backshall for BBC. Steve has led overseas expeditions to some of the earth’s most remote locations in search of new species, utilising his passion for mountaineering, scuba-diving and kayaking to access hard-to- reach corners of the world, in much the same way as freight forwarders use all of their knowledge and problem-solving skills to move shipments to all corners of the globe. During the ceremony, Steve will present certificates to the finalists and, alongside the category sponsors, present trophies to the winners. BIFA is grateful to the following ceremony sponsors: ASM (UK) Ltd MCP plc Simpex Woodland Group
The 2025 awards host will be the adventurer Steve Backshall
E ntering the BIFA Freight lead your organisation to new territories and exciting adventures. Well, perhaps that’s a little exaggeration, but past entrants to the BIFA Freight Service Awards have spoken about the benefits to their organisation and the publicity received following the ceremony in January (see BIFA TV episode BIFA Freight Service Awards 2025: Why You Should Enter!). Don’t miss out on the bene fi ts and publicity that the BIFA Freight Service Awards can deliver An adventure awaits “ We are Service Awards is just the fi rst step on a journey that could excited to announce that the host for the
take a look at BIFA Freight Service Awards 2025: How to Get Your Entry Noticed! for great tips and advice from some of the judges. Next steps Anyone planning an expedition will understand that once you have submitted your plans there is a period of time while you wait for approval, visas and funds, a concept that our ceremony host will know all too well. With the BIFA Awards, you make your entry then wait expectantly while the entries are reviewed and the shortlists are drawn up. Those who make it onto the shortlists are then invited to submit additional information to support their entries before the final round of judging takes place. Destination in sight For the finalists, the BIFA Freight Service Awards Ceremony on
Good luck to all entrants, we’ll let you know if you have made the finalists shortlist by the end of October. New sponsor announcement BIFA is pleased to welcome World Insurance Services, Inc as sponsor of the Apprentice of the Year Award for 2025.
ceremony will be the TV presenter, adventurer, author and conserv - ationist Steve Backshall
Preparation for your journey Just as maritime journeys and sea freight services are referred to as an adventure, the first step in this expedition is preparing your entry. If you are reading this issue of BIFAlink at the beginning of October, you still have a few days to submit your entry. Visit www.bifa.org/awards/how_to_enter for all the details you need and also
October 2025 | 19
www.bifa.org
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker