Steve Parker’s Column
Meet us at Multimodal 2023 H aving watched May’s Coronation from the comfort of my home, I could not help but admire the thousands who took part or simply attended. They did so for much of the ceremony in the pouring rain and carried off the day with either (or both) precise pageantry or sheer enthusiasm. They were determined not to let a bit (or a lot) of rain spoil their day. I could not help but think what a stoic nation we are. speaking at Multimodal 2023. Let’s be clear; we will not be on horseback or standing to attention in neat rows or even wearing uniforms that date back hundreds of years, but we will tackle the Customs and border- related issues that impact our industry today with the same stoicism, pageantry and even a little enthusiasm! The changes facing us As the Coronation was full of historical references, we plan some ourselves, as we consider all the changes that have come into place since the result of the referendum in 2016, which brought about the UK’s exit from the EU plus the added requirements that a new Customs system (CDS) has brought and I am sure will bring in the coming days, weeks and months. But coronations are not just about pageantry and the past, they mark an important point in time. They are a serious occasion, setting the stage for the future too. Opportunities (and challenges) Whatever your view on royalty, and whether you were those attending or like me watching on the television, you could not help but feel the importance and gravity of the occasion. Whatever your view, the event demanded your attention and even response. It is with this same frame of mind that Robert Windsor and I will be During our session we will consider the opportunities (and challenges) that all the changes bring us. So, whether you want to discuss the Spring Budget, the Border Target Operating Model, the Single Trade Window, the Customs Declaration System, the Import Control System (2), or even the fifth release of NCTS, we will address them all. I know you may be thinking that is a lot to fit in a short space of time, and of course you are right, but they are all important developments and all need to be understood and embraced. Facing up to industry issues With all that in mind either come and join us at 15:00 on Wednesday 14 June in the I0E&IT conference theatre, or visit the BIFA stand where we will be only too pleased to meet you and consider all the issues faced by the freight forwarding and logistics sector today, and what BIFA can do to assist in addressing them.
BIFAlink is the official magazine of the British International Freight Association Redfern House, Browells Lane, Feltham TW13 7EP Tel: 020 8844 2266 Web site: www.bifa.org E-mail: bifa@bifa.org (A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: 391973. 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 Manager Robert Keen r.keen@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Customs Igor Popovics i.popovics@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Air David Stroud d.stroud@bifa.org Editorial Co-ordinator Sharon Hammond s.hammond@bifa.org Communications Manager Natalie Pitts n.pitts@bifa.org Membership Supervisor Sarah Milton s.milton@bifa.org Published by Park Lane Publishing peter@parklanepublishingltd.com Contributors Steve Parker, Robert Windsor, David Stroud, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Natalie Pitts, Igor Popovics, Brooke Neilson, Nezda Leigh, Robert Keen 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.
Director General
June 2023 | 3
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