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Tag: brexit

Brexit didn’t Break UK-EU Supply Chains, it Rewired Them

Posted on by David Priestman

Brexit’s second chapter shows that UK-EU Supply Chains have survived, but adapted. Logistics must evolve, not just recover, writes Stephen Williams, director and co-founder, Fidelity Fulfilment  (pictured with co-founder Simon Vincent).

As the UK and EU enter a new phase of Brexit, we’re seeing that it demands a deeper reassessment of how logistics and fulfilment truly work across borders.

For the past few years, businesses on both sides of the Channel have been in reactive mode, patching up supply chains, firefighting disruptions, and doing whatever it took to keep goods moving. But we’re now beyond short-term fixes. In many ways, Brexit didn’t just disrupt logistics, it fundamentally reshaped it. The challenge now is not just to restore the old ways of working, but to embrace new models that reflect the reality of a structurally changed trade environment.

Drawing on my experience working across both the UK and EU fulfilment landscapes, it’s clear that this phase isn’t just about recovery, it’s about fundamental evolution.

Dual-entity warehousing as the new normal

One of the most significant shifts we’ve seen is the widespread adoption of dual-entity warehousing. For brands serious about serving both UK and EU markets, operating separate fulfilment entities is now standard practice. It might not be as lean or simple as pre-Brexit operations, but it’s faster, more compliant, and dramatically reduces the friction associated with customs delays, VAT complexity, and regulatory bottlenecks.

At Fidelity Fulfilment, we’ve helped brands set up mirrored infrastructure across borders. The result? Predictable delivery times, better customer satisfaction, and greater operational control. This isn’t just a workaround, it’s the future of cross-border commerce.

The SPS agreement as a B2B turning point

The new SPS agreement could be the most meaningful development for cross-border logistics since Brexit itself, particularly in regulated sectors like food, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. While it’s still early days, this agreement offers the potential for reduced inspections, faster clearance, and more streamlined compliance processes.

For B2B operators – especially those dealing with high-sensitivity goods – this could unlock real efficiency. But it also raises the bar: only those with robust traceability systems, digital documentation, and tight supply chain control will be able to fully leverage these improvements.

Automation is no longer optional

Another major transformation is how technology has become central to fulfilment. Customs automation, smart inventory management, and real-time compliance tracking used to be nice-to-haves. Now, they’re mission-critical.

Providers that manage high-volume or complex shipments can’t compete without deeply integrated systems that can keep pace with constantly changing rules and consumer expectations. We’ve invested heavily in these areas, not just to meet compliance requirements, but to enable scale. Technology isn’t just making fulfilment more efficient, it’s turning it into a growth engine.

EU brands are returning, but with caveats

Interestingly, we’re seeing more EU-based brands re-entering the UK market. After the initial Brexit shock, many paused or pulled back entirely. Now, with systems stabilised and clearer pathways to market, they’re returning, but with a new level of scrutiny.

These brands are laser-focused on cost-benefit analysis, especially in low-margin categories. That puts pressure on fulfilment providers to be more than just logistics partners. We’re expected to deliver flexibility, speed, and transparency, while also helping clients manage risk and protect margins. It’s raised the bar, and in the long run, that’s a good thing.

Fulfilment as a strategic partner

With the UK fulfilment market expected to more than double by 2030, it’s clear that fulfilment can’t be treated as a backend function anymore. It determines how fast you can enter new markets, how well you serve your customers, and how resilient you are to future shocks.

But unlocking that potential requires the right kind of relationship. A fulfilment partner shouldn’t just be a service provider, they need to be a true collaborator, culturally aligned with your brand, and invested in solving problems together. While technology remains important (though it is less of a differentiator as most providers will catch up), it’s the businesses that embrace this more strategic, relationship-driven model that will be better positioned to lead.

Brexit may have drawn new lines on the map, but it’s also redrawn the rules of engagement. The next chapter won’t be about getting back to normal – it’ll be about building something better, with the right partner by your side.

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UK-EU Deal Boosts Cross Channel Freight

 

Smart Landbridge Connect to Speed Irish Exports

Posted on by David Priestman

As part of ongoing efforts, Dachser remains committed to re-establishing the smooth and efficient trade connections across Europe that were impacted by Brexit. The limitation of direct ferry services between Irish ports and mainland Europe, along with capacity constraints, limited sailings, and weather-related disruptions, has posed significant competitive challenges for Irish exporters in European markets.

“By restoring a fast and efficient UK Landbridge option, Dachser is creating a competitive advantage for Irish exporters,” says John Van Den Berg, Managing Director of Dachser Ireland. “By utilising a simple T2 transit procedure, Irish trade can move seamlessly through the UK for onward connection through the Channel Tunnel, allowing Irish trade to reach European destinations more quickly and efficiently,” he adds.

High-quality-network

Irish customers will benefit from Dachser’s high-quality, market-leading European groupage network, which annually handles over 77 million shipments through the logistics provider’s 220 own-operated branches across the continent. The reliability, transparency, and security of Dachser’s in-house IT-systems and eLogistics platform offer peace of mind, particularly for Irish pharmaceutical and hazardous cargo shippers, as well as exporters in general.

“Ultimately, it is our own network of offices in Ireland, the UK, and across continental Europe that enables us to provide the highest level of reassurance — something that is paramount to our customers,” concludes Van Den Berg. With Smart Landbridge Connect, Dachser continues to deliver exceptional performance alongside innovative service enhancements.

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Freight Solutions across the Irish Sea

 

English Channel Supply Chain Delays threaten Christmas

Posted on by David Priestman

As businesses take steps to boost supply ahead of the busy Christmas shopping period, research from Vinturas, a global supply chain interoperable network solution, found that the English channel is the region where the most UK based businesses experienced those delays and lost shipments over the last year.

The research, conducted in partnership with Censuswide, surveyed 400 global business leaders with decision making responsibility for shipping and international logistics and found that over 13% had shipments which were ‘significantly delayed’ over the last year. When speaking to businesses based in the UK, over two fifths (43%) said that they experienced delays in the English Channel, followed by the Suez Canal (40%) and the Panama Canal (33%).

Concerningly, UK based businesses surveyed said that they had also lost an average of 11% of shipments the last year due to ongoing supply chain disruptions, with the English Channel also scoring top for lost shipments as 39% of businesses polled said that losses occurred in the region. This comes as 70% of UK businesses said they were concerned about regulatory problems or compliance violations in their supply chains.

As businesses enter peak shopping period, the research reveals that two fifths (40%) of UK companies said blind spots and inefficiencies in supply chain data have created difficulties predicting demand or inventory levels. What’s more, over one in three (35%) UK business leaders said the stress of managing external supply chain shocks is a key pain point their business faces when it comes to logistics.

Supply chain blindspots harming businesses

However, despite the unpredictability of global shock events causing delays to shipments, UK business leaders also point to internal problems that continue to hamper logistics performance. 98% of business leaders said that blind spots or inefficiencies have had some impact their business in the last year. When asked to evaluate the reasons for supply chain difficulties, 30% said that they had difficulty accessing real-time logistics data from which they could make decisions. A further one in three (33%) said they lacked integration (interoperability) between different parts of their supply chain.

However, despite many business leaders pointing to issues around access to accurate data or the ability to integrate supply chain systems, the research showed that 16% of UK companies still rely on paper-based processes (e.g. manual logs and forms) for their supply chain operations management. To help overcome some of these issues, UK business leaders state that they plan to increase investment in supply chain technology over the next year by an average of 8.2%.

Supply Chain Delays threaten Christmas

Ronald Kleijwegt, CEO, Vinturas commented: “The English Channel is naturally the major artery for UK trade overseas. It is therefore shocking to see it emerge as a hotspot for delays, especially given the scale of the recent problems in other regions like the Red Sea or Panama Canal. While there are several factors at play, it’s clear that regulatory compliance violations continue to be a major concern for businesses that rely on overseas trade. And with the busiest shopping season around the corner, these challenges are likely to be even more pronounced over the coming weeks.

Of course, regulatory problems due to Brexit and other factors have been a long-running saga and though the global supply chain issues we’ve seen over the past year could not be foreseen, businesses cannot operate without being prepared for this kind of volatility in 2025.

When it comes to managing supply chain ecosystems, organizations must set themselves up for success, getting the basics rights and creating resilience to mitigate losses. As we navigate an increasingly complex and volatile world, supply chain interoperability, actionable visibility, security and investment in resilience, are no longer optional but a fundamental part of business operations that cannot be ignored.”

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P&O Ferries ‘takes back leadership’ on Dover-Calais route

 

Brexit’s Impact on the UK Logistics Industry

Posted on by David Priestman

Since the historic referendum in June 2016 Brexit has been a seismic event, reshaping the landscape of the UK’s logistics and transport sector. With the official departure from the European Union on 31st January 2020, followed by subsequent negotiations and agreements, the impacts continue to reverberate throughout the industry, raising questions about its future trajectory.

There’s no denying that the aftermath of Brexit has seen logistics businesses grappling with a host of operational adjustments, from managing delays in transportation to navigating intricate import and export regulations. Meanwhile, compliance with new import and export procedures and health regulations have posed formidable challenges for businesses of all sizes. Nick Ghia (pictured), Chief Revenue Officer of Transporeon, a Trimble company, explores how Britain’s split from the EU has affected the logistics Industry as a whole.

Paperwork at UK Borders

Due to customs changes being introduced as a result of Brexit and the end of free trade between Britain and the EU, the knock on effect has seen the introduction of more paperwork and logistics businesses having to meet new product standards which are stricter, particularly when trading restricted goods and livestock, to name a few. These new customs regulations have made it more difficult and time-consuming to ship goods between the UK and the EU. Ultimately this means that businesses reliant on international trade have had to adapt to the new regulations, which has added costs and delays.

Brexit’s impact on UK borders is starkly evident in the realm of food exports, with significant financial burdens placed on businesses sending products to the EU. In fact, in recent reports, lorry drivers from continental Europe are set to reject jobs taking them to the UK unless delays are reduced and driver conditions improved at post-Brexit border posts. The delays are due to the border checks for plant and animal products brought in on 30 April. Not only this, but the requirement for exporters of foods of animal origin to obtain veterinary sign-offs and export health certificates (EHCs) has led to a significant rise in costs. And with data from the Office for National Statistics showing the amount of meat products exported to the EU from the UK in 2023 totalled £1.26bn, a 17% drop from the £1.53bn exported in 2019, this notable decline in exports, combined with the rising costs associated with Brexit, will affect smaller producers. Consequently, some companies have faced reduced profits or even had to cease exporting activities altogether.

The introduction of reciprocal measures by the UK in response to EU requirements further exacerbates the situation, potentially putting EU exporters off from engaging with the UK market due to increased bureaucracy and costs. While larger companies may absorb these new expenses, the ramifications, again, for smaller enterprises are profound, prompting concerns about the sustainability of their operations.

Delays at the border

The delays at the border caused by Brexit have been well documented over the past few years and in turn have helped cause numerous issues for all industries, however, the food industry has potentially suffered the most due to lack of warehousing facilities and a short shelf life making the process seemingly impossible. The medical sector has also been hit hard by delays at the border, with some suppliers in the UK being forced to stockpile medication and other emergency items.

The delays have also seen an increase in crime at the border. In fact, there were 5,373 reports of HGV and cargo crime in the UK in 2023, according to NaVCIS, with an estimated cost of the loss in value from the thefts alone of £68m – with the retail value much higher. As well as this, according to the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), the volume of products traded between the EU and the UK has decreased by one-fifth as a result of Brexit. Again, these delays have particularly impacted smaller businesses that make up the majority of the logistics industry and are already struggling with cost of living and business pressures. Delays at borders (alongside with COVID-19) were also cited by the The Road Haulage Association as the root causes of driver shortage.

Navigating post-Brexit impact with smart logistics solutions

In order to navigate the aftermath and constantly changing regulations of Brexit, shippers can adapt and leverage carrier networks and connectivity to manage their increasingly complex transportation networks effectively. This includes the likes of shipment tendering, visibility, and invoicing. Currently, the majority of transport companies offer shippers varying levels of visibility, for example, tracking and monitoring messages through existing technology infrastructure. And, with research published by Gartner stating that a quarter of all logistics KPIs will be powered by generative AI by the year 2028, for logistics providers to get ahead of the curve and thrive, they should be looking to utilise a Transportation Management Platform (TMP) that uses AI and machine learning to improve the accuracy and efficiency of complex logistics situations — like Brexit — to enable their businesses to focus on what people do best: service and strategy.

However, for smaller shipping businesses, the reliance on tracking drivers and monitoring shipment execution highlights the disparity in accessing comprehensive information compared to larger companies. This is primarily due to the cost-prohibitive nature of extensive hardware requirements. But, by implementing an effective TMP, shippers can unlock the potential to collaborate seamlessly with both smaller and larger transportation companies without sacrificing visibility. This approach fosters a more inclusive and efficient logistics ecosystem, benefiting all parties involved and reducing the effects of events like Brexit damaging their operations.

The necessity for a smart TMP has never been greater. For smaller exporters, such a platform could reduce delays significantly by streamlining documentation and compliance checks and with the additional chaos caused at the UK border following Brexit. For too long now, drivers have been trapped in endless queues armed with unfamiliar paper documents, whilst shippers have been grappling with the nightmare of damaged goods before their destination. A more digitalised approach could have facilitated the transition by alleviating the administrative burden on drivers, stopping language barriers, and providing real-time updates to shippers and carriers.

As we reflect on the key milestones of Brexit, from the initial referendum to the subsequent negotiations culminating in the UK’s departure from the EU, it’s evident that the impacts of Brexit on the logistics industry are profound and far-reaching. Some logistics companies have found new opportunities within the UK market, especially as they invest in technology to address the new challenges. The benefits of cost-effective and sustainable transportation planning, optimisation will be reaped if both shippers and carriers are focused and willing to adapt. The ability to support continuous planning across all transportation modes simultaneously will be fundamental to delivering cost and sustainability goals effectively across the entire transportation network for all orders.

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Post-Brexit Border Check Delays

 

Logistics Sector Calls for Action on new EU Import Declarations

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Global and European trade associations representing commercial transport have issued an urgent alert to all businesses involved in the movement of goods into or via the EU, Norway, Switzerland or Northern Ireland, by sea, road or rail. The new Import Control System (ICS2) will start to be introduced from June this year.

The World Shipping Council, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders, the Global Shippers Forum, the European Community Association of Ship Brokers and Agents, the European Community Shipowners’ Associations, the European Associations for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services, the European Shippers Council and the International Road Transport Union have together stressed the importance of the new controls and their impact on the movement of goods into or via the European Customs Territory by sea, road and rail.

Awareness of the implementation of the new requirements is key, says the group, as is understanding how ICS2 will affect various entities in the supply chain at different times and in distinct ways.

ICS2 is an enhanced safety and security regime introduced jointly by customs authorities in the EU that requires specific details of imported goods to be provided before loading or before arrival at the EU border.

The requirements were introduced for air cargo in 2023 and will be extended to sea transport from June 2024 and for imports arriving by road or rail in 2025. The extensive new data requirements include six-digit HS codes for each item in a consignment, an “acceptable description” and detailed buyer and seller information.

The trade bodies, each representing different parties in the supply chain, have urged businesses involved in moving goods into the EU to begin their preparations for the extension of ICS2 now and to seek further information on how they will be affected. The European Commission’s website is the best place to start.

Failure to comply with ICS2 requirements will result in delays and disruptions to imports into the EU, and, potentially, in accordance with Member State practice, fines and penalties for persons liable for submitting the safety and security data to ICS2.

Cooperative efforts between the different parties involved in such shipments is crucial to keep goods moving, as symbolised by the joint call to action by the eight trade bodies.

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Changes in Transportation of Goods to EU

 

Good Year for Ports of Boulogne and Calais

Posted on by David Priestman

Port Boulogne Calais has once again demonstrated its resilience both in terms of fishing and cross-Channel traffic. Both ports showed solid results for 2023.

After a very good year in 2022, the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer confirmed its dynamism in 2023. With €89.1 million in value (+ 2%), it once again, for the second consecutive year, reached its highest level for 20 years. Fish volumes are up 8% compared to 2022, and have crossed the symbolic 30 000 tonnes (30 437 t) threshold, returning to their level before the introduction of Brexit.

Reduced catches of certain species such as sole, mackerel and whiting are offset by ever-increasing volumes of cephalopods (squid and cuttlefish), red mullet and scallops, stocks of which are in excellent condition. The port of Boulogne-sur-Mer remains the leader in the ranking of French fishing ports in terms of tonnage and value.

Despite legitimate fears in the fishing industry over the implementation of Brexit, given the proximity of the port of Boulogne to the British coast, the Individual Support Plan (ISP) will ultimately have had only limited impact on fishing capacity in Boulogne. Although regrettable, a total of six units specialising in small-scale fishing and a single trawler will have benefited from this decommissioning plan, representing less than 5% of landings.

2023 was the first full year in terms of tourist traffic since the health crisis and complete lifting of travel restrictions in March 2022. The partial resumption which began in 2022 was confirmed in 2023; the port of Calais welcomed 7 263 513 passengers and nearly 1.3 million tourist vehicles, representing an increase of +41% and +33% respectively compared to 2022. This double-digit increase was driven by an excellent summer season which almost achieved a return to pre-health crisis figures of just over 2 million travellers and nearly 450 000 vehicles in July and August alone.

In terms of freight, the port of Calais is proving more important than ever. While the Channel saw a slight contraction of the freight market of 2% in 2023, the port of Calais performed well,
with an increase of +10% in its traffic. With 1 809 813 freight units (heavy goods vehicles and unaccompanied trailers), it returned to its pre-Brexit level and exceeded the 50% market share milestone. Hold capacity, flexibility, optimised fluidity with the new terminal and dematerialised border crossing for goods have strengthened the port of Calais’ position as a preferred crossing point for transport professionals.

After several years of strong growth, unaccompanied freight slowed down in 2023. Down 12% to 55 010 units, this traffic struggled in particular in the last quarter, mainly due to temporary availability on the market of drivers of heavy goods vehicles from Eastern Europe, which encouraged carriers to turn to accompanied mode. Furthermore, the Ro-Ro service operated by DFDS to Sheerness then rerouted, in summer, to Tilbury didn’t meet its promises; this new destination required carriers to adapt to reorganise their logistics. DFDS finally cancelled this service at the end of the year.

While combined transport at the national level is experiencing a sharp drop in activity of 20%, the rail motorway services that serve the port of Calais are holding up well and even progressing very slightly by 1% (41 641 units). A genuine achievement for the operator VIIA in a very unfavourable national situation.

Overall, activity at the Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer general cargo terminals remained stable in 2023, with total tonnage of 1 899 633 tonnes in 2023 compared to 1 917 435 in 2022. The Boulogne terminal handled 642 501 tonnes (-2%), which breaks down into 486 042 tonnes for export and 156 460 tonnes for import. The main materials handled for export remain limestone and quicklime, mainly destined for Sweden. On import, bulk mainly covers raw materials (natural sand at 102 000 t and road salt at 24 000 t). The emergence of pellet traffic (21 000 tonnes) should also be noted.

At the Calais terminal, bulk activity also remains stable at 590 876 tonnes (-2%). Almost all bulk tonnage is intended for export and consists of limestone and pebbles for the Nordic countries (Sweden and Denmark) and sand and aggregates for the United Kingdom. For 2023, rail tonnage stands at 666 256 tonnes.

2023 was synonymous for the port of Calais with the return, in the summer, of new vehicle traffic, which had been at a standstill since 2015. The Charles André Group, the French specialist in automotive logistics, chose Calais for its know-how and the quality of its Ro-Ro and rail facilities, as well as for its special geographical position both close to the United Kingdom and the automobile production units in Hauts-de-France. For these first six months of activity, 10 400 new vehicles passed through the port. For 2024, expected traffic is more than 30 000 units.

After the dry dock at the port of Calais had seen no activity for several decades, it welcomed two ships in just a few months. SOCARENAM, a French shipbuilding flagship company based in Boulogne-sur-Mer, has been commissioned to construct six overseas patrol boats by the French Navy. The second ship to leave the shipyard was dry docked in Calais for finishing work.
Furthermore, running in parallel with a sustained workload schedule in the Boulogne-sur-Mer workshops, the company is in the process of building the first example of patrol boats intended for the Maritime Gendarmerie in Calais.

While the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) announced, last July, the objective of “zero emissions” from ships by 2050, the stakeholders of Cross-Channel – maritime and ports operators – have brought forward this plan and are already working to decarbonise maritime traffic across the Channel. On the sidelines of COP 26 in Glasgow, certain countries including France and the United Kingdom have committed, in the Clydebank declaration, to setting up “green maritime corridors”.

As early as last March, Port Boulogne Calais signed a cooperation protocol with ferry operator DFDS and the ports of Dunkirk and Dover aimed at agreeing on a joint work programme to enable the transition to electric maritime traffic across the Channel. The shared ambition is to provide a green maritime corridor (zero emissions) by 2030, which will necessarily involve the design of new-generation ships using propulsion technologies that are more environmentally friendly and, in particular, electric. The port of Calais is working with DFDS and its partners to prepare the infrastructure necessary for these future ships. At the end of 2023, DFDS confirmed its wish to order electric ships for the Calais – Dover line.

Anticipating the energy transition of all fleets, P&O Ferries put into service the very first hybrid ship operating on the Calais-Dover line last June. Specifically designed and created to operate on the Channel, the P&O Pioneer is the first ship to be equipped with a hybrid engine – diesel electric – allowing it to call into the ports of Calais and Dover without having to use its diesel engines or manoeuvre in the docking area thanks to its double-head design. All these innovations have led to a 40% reduction in CO2 emissions. The ultimate objective is to make the Calais-Dover crossing entirely electric. The P&O Pioneer will be followed by its sister ship, the P&O Liberté, which left China on 15 January and is due to arrive on the Channel in spring 2024.

For François Lavallée, Chairman of the Board of Directors: “2023 was a year of growth for Port Boulogne Calais. Calais regained its pre-crisis freight volumes and Boulogne fishing is continuing its good figures for 2022. We are already looking to the future, with major challenges ahead: the arrival of the EES arrangement (Entry & Exit System) at the port of Calais, accelerated greening of our two ports and the start of the upcoming renegotiation of fishing quotas between the EU and United Kingdom.”

Benoît Rochet, General Manager of Port Boulogne Calais, adds : “I am delighted at the resilience shown by the ports of Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais. The good results for 2023 for both cross-Channel traffic and fishing mean we can embark on this new year with confidence. The significant investments planned and already made by our customers in new ships specifically designed to serve the Calais-Dover line demonstrate their complete confidence in our port. The return of new vehicle traffic and recommissioning of the Calais dry dock show the extent of our know-how. The port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, for its part, is doing well, and the Capécure area remains very attractive for investors.”

Labour Leader Visits Port of Tilbury

Posted on by David Priestman

Today (23rd November), Keir Starmer, leader of the British Labour Party and Rachel Reeves, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, toured the Port of Tilbury to see first-hand the importance of building infrastructure to generate growth in the UK.

During the overview of London’s major port and its expansion plans, both politicians also received a briefing on the supply chain demands across some of the country’s fast-developing sectors, including offshore wind, hydrogen and sustainable fuels. The team discussed how government and industry can work in partnership to create sustainable, well-paid jobs across the country through a strong industrial strategy.

As well as hearing the business’ plans for the future, Starmer and Reeves also met a group of apprentices at the forefront of the port’s important work. The port’s ongoing apprenticeship and advanced apprenticeship programmes aim to build the skills base to support rapidly growing business areas such as consumer goods, building materials and recyclables.

Forth Ports owns and operates The Port of Tilbury, alongside seven other commercial ports on the Firth of Forth and the Firth of Tay: Grangemouth, Dundee, Leith, Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland and Kirkcaldy. The Port of Tilbury is the number one UK port for forestry products, construction materials, paper, grain and recyclables. The port has a strong market presence in bulk commodities, containers / trailers, cars (import and export) and cruise vessels.

Welcoming Labour’s top team to Tilbury where Forth Ports outlined their net zero mission, Charles Hammond OBE, Chief Executive of Forth Ports Group (owner of the Port of Tilbury and Tilbury2), commented: “Ports are epicentres for the growing green economy. Our multi-million investment plan across our major ports – Tilbury, Burntisland, Leith, Grangemouth and Rosyth – will accelerate the nation’s path toward a decarbonised economy built upon low carbon logistics, low carbon fuels and low carbon power generation.”

Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party, said: “Here at Tilbury Port, I was struck by the scale of the operations, the scale of the group’s green ambitions and their commitment to develop young people into the managers of tomorrow. Meeting the apprentices, it’s clear how investment into the area will smash the class ceiling and break down the barriers to opportunity for young people.

“My Labour government will share ambition like the one I’ve seen here today, driving growth and the next generation of jobs through investment in the infrastructure needed to deliver clean power. My mission-driven Labour government will get Britain building to create jobs, and deliver a prosperous economy.”

Post-Brexit Border Check Delays

Posted on by David Priestman

Following reports that post-Brexit border checks for EU imports are to be delayed (for the fifth time), Andrew Thurston, Customs Duty & Indirect Tax Consultant at MHA, says inflation has led to the government’s latest border check postponement, but frustration among businesses will be growing with each delay:

“Another post-Brexit border check delay will be no surprise. The government is reluctant to place additional costs on businesses and risk pushing inflation higher. The most likely scenario is that border checks will be delayed by 3-6 months. Those businesses that invested time and money to prepare for the checks, only to see them delayed again, will be frustrated. We should be encouraging firms to think ahead but those who did repeatedly see their good efforts go to waste. While unlikely, there will be businesses who would welcome some form of compensation, particularly as this is the fifth delay to border checks.

“It is very important to understand that the risk for businesses from these checks (when they finally arrive) is not so much additional cost but administrative pitfalls. For example, exporters could see costs of around £200-£250 per consignment once checks are implemented. Yet the addition of any new certification increases the likelihood of errors and delays. Especially if you deal in fresh produce, getting held up at a port can spell trouble for the whole consignment potentially ruining it.”

Government can’t keep kicking border checks down the road

“Smaller businesses with a high exposure to the EU will need to make sure that their certification is up to date regularly. Animal product businesses in particular will need to have several additional documents, including veterinary certificates,” Thurston concludes.

3PL Welcomes Plan for UK-Türkiye FTA

Posted on by David Priestman

As a market leader in overland trailer services between Türkiye and the UK, Davies Turner welcomes today’s news that the UK and Türkiye have committed to negotiate an updated Free Trade Agreement (FTA) designed to deepen the trade relationship between the two countries.

Tariff-free arrangements like the one signed in 2020, which was rolled over from when the UK left the EU, covering goods, but not areas such as services, digital and data, support the trading relationship between the UK and Türkiye, and bring benefits to UK importers and exporters, as well as the freight forwarding and logistics companies that manage their supply chains.

That’s the opinion of Alan Williams, company director, who adds that a new broader deal could boost trade and help businesses maximise opportunities in this area.

As a major facilitator of trade between the two countries, Davies Turner operates multiple daily two-way overland and multimodal trailer services between the UK and Türkiye in a long-standing partnership with Istanbul-based Ekol, one of the country’s largest freight and warehousing operators.

UK-Türkiye FTA

Williams adds: “The tariff-free trading agreement signed in 2020, along with the problems in long distance supply chains, which have increasingly prompted traders to turn to Türkiye as an alternative source of supply to countries in Asia, has had a major impact on the uptick in trading volumes between the two countries over the last two years. In welcoming the news, we would also be delighted to provide input into any consultation that is conducted ahead of the start of negotiations, which is expected in 2024.”

November Deadline Awaits UK Exporters

Posted on by David Priestman

CNS, a digital trade solution company, is calling on freight forwarders and customs managers to use the summer months to prepare for the imminent transition in the UK Government’s customs declaration process.

There were huge challenges in October last year following the UK Government’s deadline for traders to move from its legacy CHIEF system to its new Customs Declaration Service (CDS) for submitting import declarations. Now, CNS, a DP World company which develops digital solutions for the port and logistics sector, is urging traders to prepare themselves for 30 November 2023, when the same switch occurs for export declarations.

The challenges encountered last year have left many traders nervous about the new system, which requires additional data fields to complete an export declaration. However, CNS is advising traders to prepare themselves in advance of the deadline by testing the requirements on its specially designed CDS-compatible system.

Matthew Bradley, Managing Director at CNS emphasized the importance of adequate preparation, stating: “There are some issues like outages on the system that are impossible to prepare for, but there are a lot of issues traders are now aware of and various learnings from last year, which mean there are known steps that can and should be taken. Last year showed us that organisations that trained their staff and prepared through test environments before the deadline were far less impacted by the change in system. The broader industry should learn from this and start testing and preparing now. The repercussions of being unable to submit valid and compliant declarations include cargo delays, increased costs and frustration for customers and staff. However, affordable and user-friendly tools and solutions are readily available to help mitigate disruption. We would urge any traders dealing with export declarations to do their homework and be as prepared as they possibly can be.”

To assist traders in managing the transition and ongoing declaration submissions on the government’s CDS system, CNS developed its Customs Declarations Management System (CDMS) cloud-based solution. The solution streamlines the process of filing CDS-compliant export declarations, providing users with a secure and intuitive interface. The system is purpose-built for CDS and incorporates features to expedite data input, improve compliance, and guides users directly to the HMRC website to identify what data needs to be provided, saving input time and improving compliance.

Extensive system testing, both internally and externally, has been conducted since early 2022. In fact, the CNS product team recently celebrated 100,000 declarations through the system, demonstrating its scalability and reliability, and proving its positive impact on customer experience. Reducing the time spent on trial and error and resubmission is another critical factor. CDMS has been designed to only require the data that is needed for a specific declaration type and includes market-leading features to explain error codes in natural language.

For those users integrating their own systems with CDMS via the CDMS Application Programming Interface (API), CNS offers an instant update facility to validate commodity codes, ensuring accurate tax and duty rates, along with error diagnosis and other features.

“The feedback from customers is that our CDMS solution made their life a lot easier last October and they believe that we ultimately saved them time and money. We understand increased costs and slimming margins are always a key factor and we can’t protect against all eventualities. But the reassurance of knowing you are as prepared as you can be, may put end customers at ease and may even help you sleep better at night – which is something we think is pretty important in our extremely stressful industry,” Bradley concluded.

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