Robert Keen’s Column
BIFAlink
www.bifa.org
Christmas deliveries in perspective
BIFAlink is the official magazine of the British International Freight Association Redfern House, Browells Lane, Feltham TW13 7EP Tel: 020 8844 2266
As I wrote this column there had been a flurry of headlines in the mainstream media suggesting that, as a result of the significant issues affecting global supply chains, Christmas would be cancelled this year. That prompted us to issue a statement urging the need to maintain a sense of perspective, or the headlines may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. In that statement we noted that more teu were shipped successfully in August 2021 than in August 2019 before the pandemic and plenty of cargo is being moved successfully.
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Director General Robert Keen r.keen@bifa.org Executive Director Robert Windsor
The issues affecting supply chains were certainly a topic on everyone’s lips at the Multimodal 2021 conference and exhibition in October, where it was really good to meet so many BIFA Members. The hall was a bit smaller than previous years but as it was full, the show seemed as vibrant as past events. I was particularly pleased to see the high profile of the BIFA Freight Forwarder village at the show. Read the full report on pages 18-19. You may have noticed our increased emphasis on the younger generation in recent issues as we have encouraged BIFA Members to take on an apprentice. We are also reaching out to schools to raise the profile of logistics as a career. To repeat our recent calls, we need BIFA Members to assist us in this challenge, contact Carl (c.hobbis@bifa.org) or Nezda (n.leigh@bifa.org) for information. We have some new faces at the Secretariat in Feltham and we welcome Sharon Sampeys as Training Administrator and Natalie Pitts as Communications Manager. Read more about Sharon and Natalie on page 22. Also, in this edition of BIFAlink you will find updated information on using the lien clause in the BIFA Standard Trading Conditions. Liens are a particularly tricky subject and we have had a couple of instances recently reported to us where there were problems for BIFA Members when attempting to apply a lien. More often than not, a lien is a way of focusing the customers attention and the matter is resolved without going to Court, however the need to have a suitable solicitor to advise you should not be forgotten, especially when there are Administrators or Liquidators involved. This seems an appropriate point to remind readers of the information we provide in our “Good Practice Toolbox” which you can find at www.bifa.org under the information tab. Here you will find a number of guides on a wide range of topics about which BIFA Members often call. Well, that’s the end of another year’s worth of BIFAlink and I hope you have benefited from the information we have been providing. You don’t need a crystal ball to realise that 2022 will be just as challenging with further changes to Customs procedures concerning EU Exit on 1 January and 1 July. Of course, BIFA Members will assist their customers in navigating the changing legislative landscape as EU movements continue the transition from being a simple delivery process back to being a full freight forwarding activity, cargo owners will benefit from the wide range of technical assistance that BIFA Members provide. To end, I would like to send you my very best wishes for a peaceful festive season and prosperous new year.
r.windsor@bifa.org Executive Director Spencer Stevenson s.stevenson@bifa.org Executive Director Carl Hobbis c.hobbis@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor Pawel Jarza p.jarza@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor 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
Robert Keen, Robert Windsor, Pawel Jarza, David Stroud, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Natalie Pitts, Nezda Leigh Note to media: If you wish to use items in this magazine that are older than 1 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.
Robert Keen Director General
** Stop Press!! **
As this edition of BIFAlink went to print, HMRC released the official digital assets to support businesses with the changes coming into effect on 1 January 2022. Thorough communication of these changes is key to driving awareness and understanding so that our industry can make the necessary alterations to keep importing goods. Whilst BIFA has been sharing information about process changes and events originating from individual departments, the Cabinet Office has now shared with BIFA the official documents for our Members to use when communicating the new requirements. Examples of the assets provided include printable A4 posters, social media images and digital screen content. These documents have been presented to us using ‘Dropbox’ folders which are accessible by anyone with the relevant links. Please visit bifa.org > Information > EU Exit 2020 > Trade In Goods Post Transition to access these assets.
December 2021
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