Strategic Report Our Business Areas
International Despite the legacy issues caused by the pandemic, Brexit, the war in Ukraine and the subsequent economic pressures, we are holding our position in the international market – but 2022 remained challenging. For our customers, these factors had a huge impact on their ability to forecast volume and obtain stock to fulfil orders. Parcel imports and exports declined by over 30% year on year due to global supply chain disruption as well as increased complexity and changes to Customs Duties and import/export tariffs. International inbound volumes decreased by 32% year on year (having risen 31% in 2020-21) and international outbound volumes declined by 36% in the same period (up 3% in 2020-21).* The post Covid shift from air to sea transportation continued, but containerisation issues were significant in the year caused by reduced capacity, delays at port and strike action. In addition, we have experienced downward pressure on pricing due to increased competition.
We continued to invest in the business and launched a fast-tracked service for SMEs to the USA. The service, taking an average of 6.5 days from dispatch to delivery, enables access for SMEs to the UK – USA fast-tracked market at a cost-effective price, typically unavailable to low volume mailers. By upgrading to this service, UK SMEs can now offer their USA based customers an enhanced delivery service with improved item visibility on its delivery journey alongside the quicker delivery times. Whistl is approved by the UK Border Force and HMRC as a Customs Clearance Agent and offers air, sea and road clearance for mail and parcels entering the UK from our International Gateway near Heathrow. Through one point of contact we offer our customers a full end-to-end solution from import and clearance through to final mile destination in the UK or abroad.
We continued to invest in the business and launched a fast-tracked service for SMEs to the USA. The service, taking an average of 6.5 days from dispatch to delivery, enables access for SMEs to the UK – USA fast-tracked market at a cost-effective price, typically unavailable to low volume mailers.
FAST-TRACKED SERVICE FOR SMEs TO THE USA
THE SERVICE, TAKING AN AVERAGE OF 6.5 DAYS FROM DISPATCH TO DELIVERY
* Annual Monitoring Update for Postal Services Financial Year 2021-22
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Whistl Annual Report 2022
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