Steve Parker’s Column
Focusing on global issues at FIATA I n the time I have been at BIFA I have not dedicated a DG column to FIATA, but having just returned from the 2025 World Congress in Hanoi, I thought I should correct this. FIATA is the global freight forwarders association that represents us in dealings with those other global stakeholders, such as the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organization (WTO), World Customs Organization (WCO) and of course the International Air Transport Association (IATA). At this congress there was a personal milestone for me. I received a FIATA silver pin in recognition of the eight years I have been chair of the FIATA Customs Affairs Institute. I was re-elected to this position at the congress and am pleased to report that one of BIFA’s directors was also re-elected as chair of FIATA’s Multimodal Transport Institute. It was also a significant milestone for BIFA’s immediate past director general Robert Keen as it was his last FIATA meeting. He retires from FIATA having served over 20 years, many with the Working Group Sea and, for the last four, as FIATA secretary general. In gratitude for his work, FIATA made Robert an honorary member. BIFA has a long association with FIATA; indeed, we were founder members when it was formed in 1926 and over the years two FIATA presidents have come from the UK. Today BIFA remains a very active member and supports FIATA in its global activities. Interesting for me at this congress were the issues that unite us globally – much talk of Donald Trump and the global tariffs and, perhaps more important to us, the end of the de minimis threshold by the US. On that topic, the Customs Affairs Institute committed to look at this issue in markets around the globe to see if we can find solutions to the logistics and customs issues arising from the increase in e-Commerce. ICS2 dual fi ling In the ocean freight arena, the discussion was about the market dominance of global container shipping lines, and we were all urged to take advantage of the ICS2 dual filing afforded to us under the latest regulations. In the air freight sector, a topic that interested me in particular involves training in ULD building, something I will pick up here at BIFA. Insurance is a constant topic of discussion. How to ensure that our Members, and their counterparts across the globe, take out the correct (affordable) insurance to cover both business liability and, when needed, cargo risk. Catching up with colleagues Lastly, I always enjoy meeting people, and 1,200 were in attendance in Vietnam representing trade associations and individual members from all parts of the world. It was great to catch up with industry colleagues and share stories, although the levels of English language competency varied considerably among the delegates. One member (who I will not name) was trying to explain to me how the power of attorney worked in his country but kept saying it was the power of eternity! I thought that was a gift way beyond me, even with my FIATA silver pin!
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 & External Affairs Director Pawel Jarza p.jarza@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 Senior Policy Advisor – Ocean & Legal matters Robert Windsor r.windsor@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Customs Igor Popovics i.popovics@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor – Sustainable Logistics Jamie McKean j.mckean@bifa.org Communications Manager Natalie Pitts n.pitts@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, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond, Igor Popovics, Denise Hill, Pawel Jarza, Natalie Pitts Note to media: If you wish to use items in this magazine that are older than one month, please contact the editorial co- ordinator 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
November 2025 | 3
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