BIFAlink May 2024

Steve Parker’s Column

The passing of an old friend A couple of weeks ago I sat in a Customs Policy Group meeting when Ian Wilkins, one of our colleagues from HMRC, reminded us that you have until Tuesday 4 June 2024 to move to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) for exports. After this date, you will no longer be

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 Director Robert Windsor r.windsor@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 International Relations Advisor Robert Keen r.keen@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Customs Igor Popovics i.popovics@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Adviser – Sustainable Logistics Mike Jones m.jones@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Air David Stroud d.stroud@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, David Stroud, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Igor Popovics, Robert Keen, Denise Hill, Mike Jones Note to media: If you wish to use items in this magazine that are older than one month, please contact the editor 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.

able to submit new Customs declarations through CHIEF. If you are granted an exception, you will have until 4 July 2024 to move all your export declarations to the CDS. Whilst I realised that, for some reason (maybe it was the way Ian made the statement, or maybe just old age sentimentality) the statement did leave me a little sad having worked on, and maybe even ‘loved’, the system for the past 30 years. CHIEF first accepted Customs declarations in 1994, following systems

like ACP80 and, dare I mention, TRAVICOM (which still brings me out in a cold sweat) and although there was a bumpy start it has served our industry and country well. Credit should go to its developers and maintenance teams, for the practical and robust system we have enjoyed. Nothing lasts forever, and there is a saying going back to 1422: The King is dead, long live the King. So it is with Customs systems, and we now have to fully embrace CDS. Members have, of course, fully migrated their import declarations and now need to make sure that they are ready for exports. Can I just remind you all at this point that if you file Customs declarations and have not engaged with CDS – NOW is the time. BIFA has some great training to help you and I would urge you not to leave it to the last minute. Annual Report – This is an important piece of information! We have changed the format of the annual report, which is no longer a multipage ‘wordy’ document that we print and post. We have adopted a more visual look and feel, and it will only be available online. Scan the QR code below to view. The report is very different from those of the past and I would welcome any feedback. If you have any views, just send an email to me at s.parker@bifa.org UPCOMING EVENTS Business Leaders Forum The initial capacity was sold out (I say sold - it is free to Members) and we have had to increase the number we can accommodate so that more spaces are available to Members. However, they are filling up quickly as, at the time of writing, nearly 150 of you have registered to attend. We have some excellent speakers lined up on key topics for our industry, like environmental and sustainability issues and ongoing Customs changes. The meeting will take place in central London on 16 May and if you are a leader in our business then you can still join us. Scan the QR code below to register As well as the excellent speakers, I will give an update on the key topics impacting us at BIFA and you will have a great opportunity to network with your colleagues and peers. I look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to this event. Multimodal This annual event, which takes place at the NEC from 11 to 13 June, is fast approaching and, as in past years, we will be there with a stand as part of the BIFA Forwarders’ Village. Customs issues have dominated many conversations at Multimodal since the Brexit referendum and I am sure that they will again this year. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible and discussing matters with you over a coffee – mine is a skinny latte with sweetener.