Young Forwarder Network
region on all aspects of Customs procedures including: the role of Customs agents in the supply chain; Customs representation – due-diligence, types of representation, empowerment and liabilities; the purpose of a Customs declaration – fiscal, industrial policy enforcement, consumer safety and security; the tariff, documentation and various Customs regimes; and international trade principles – free trade agreements, Incoterms. Nicole Page (Unsworth UK), YFN regional chair, said: “The East London YFN enjoyed a dynamic afternoon of networking and learning. It was great to bring together over 20 young professionals from across the freight forwarding sector. The highlight of the event was a talk from industry expert Igor Popovics, who provided valuable insights into the fundamentals of customs clearances and key compliance considerations. It was a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of forwarders to connect, share experiences, and build confidence in one of the industry’s most vital areas.” Virtual
Andy Hughes, senior director life sciences UK & NL at AIT Worldwide Logistics (UK) Ltd, outlined the special requirements of pharmaceutical shipments
Membership of the BIFA Young Forwarder Network is open to all employees of BIFA Members who are new to the industry and under the age of 32. Events take place online and in person and are free to attend Providing career- building opportunities
YFN members attending the virtual event in March heard from Andy Hughes (pictured), senior director life sciences UK & NL at AIT
T hrough attendance at YFN events, individuals will enhance their knowledge of the industry and expand their professional network. To fi nd out more about the YFN, visit https://bifa.org/industry- promotion/young-forwarder-netw ork/ or search for BIFA Young Forwarder Network on LinkedIn. Throughout March and April, Members of the YFN attended a port tour at DP World London Gateway, debated risk in global supply chains, heard about the unique challenges of shipping pharma products and questioned BIFA’s Igor Popovics on every aspect of a Customs declaration. Solent Paul Cunningham, BIFA Regional Representative for the South, reports on the Solent YFN meeting held in March, which included a detailed debate about risk in global supply
chains and the implications for freight forwarders. Using a structured process to evaluate risk levels in a supply chain, the group assessed and scored each of the areas of sourcing, transport and inventory management. The second task was to redesign the supply chain to reduce risk levels and increase resilience. Finally, the impact on costs and carbon emissions was assessed for the redesigned supply chain. The session brought home how freight forwarders need to understand risk, so that the solutions offered to customers have the best chance of meeting expectations in these very volatile times. London East Igor Popovics, BIFA Policy Advisor for Customs matters, addressed YFN members in the London East
Worldwide Logistics (UK) Ltd, who outlined the special requirements of pharmaceutical shipments. Andy’s presentation included details of the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) regulations governing the handling and shipment of licensed medicinal products, the temperature and storage requirements, and the shipment options available to ensure the safety and integrity of consignments that will ultimately be used in the treatment of individuals throughout the world.
Future YFN events are listed at https://bifa.org/events/
May 2025 | 23
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