BIFA Takes Control of the Brexit Bus

Yesterday, Theresa May invoked Article 50, which means the formal process of the UK leaving the EU has begun. The outcome of Brexit will have a heavy impact on the way the industry operates. Currently, the industry is filled with speculation of how things will evolve. The British International Freight Association has decided it will assist the Government in discussions on topics such as the possibilities of a free trade agreement or otherwise.

Robert Keen, Director General of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), says: “In the run-up to the UK’s eventual exit we will be working with Government to try and ensure that the movement of the UK’s visible import and export trade does not become overburdened by over complicated trade procedures.”

“Clearly there are significant areas of concern for our members, which are responsible for much of the physical movement of that trade, over the eventual outcome, including the physical infrastructure, trade arrangements and Customs practices that will be reviewed as part of the Brexit negotiations.”

“I have already gone on the record to warn about the huge number of pundits offering solutions when nobody knows what is likely to happen in reality.”

“BIFA’s focus now will be presenting the views of our members to the various government departments that we deal with, as well as working with organisations such as the Confederation of British Industry and International Chamber of Commerce to make sure that all parties negotiating the post-Brexit landscape are fully aware of the potential challenges for which they will need to find solutions.”

Having BIFA working with the government for Brexit can only be seen as a positive for the industry and it members. It is evident that BIFA has the experience and understanding of the industry which makes them the perfect advisers to the government on such matters.

The worst possible outcome for the industry would be going back 40 years before the common market to the complexity of the carnets and similarly complex documents required to navigate various European customs points. Hopefully, this can all be avoided, but in the current climate, nothing is certain.

Luckily We Have A 7 Key Points Survival Guide For Importers And Exporters

 

 

Important Considerations When Buying A Pallet

The Right Size Pallet

 

One of the biggest considerations that need to be made is how big the pallet needs to be. Get a pallet too big is a waste and getting a  pallet too small it won’t fit your load.You can get pallets in a number of dimensions, so it is important that you do your homework before you buy. Click here for a Pallet Sizes.

 

Durability

 

Like with any product you get what you pay. The biggest recommendation we can give is not to get the cheapest pallet because of it is likely it will not last as long, in the long run, it could work out more expensive since you will be paying out for more pallets. Best thing to do is to pay out a little extra for a good quality pallet.

Another thing that will help is to get in contact with the supplier and question them on the sort of conditions the pallet has been manufactured to withstand.

 

Buying for the right price

 

Buying for the right price is an important consideration. Although we would not recommend buying the cheapest, not being overcharged is important. It is important that you compare prices from around the market. The consideration of price should come in after the quality/durability has been checked.

 

ISPM15

 

ISPM15 Stamp

ISPM15 Stamp

More than likely your pallet will be visiting a country which requires wooden pallets to be ISPM15 compliant. So
when searching for pallets be sure to check it has the ISPM15 stamp which should look similar to the image on the left.

Amazon the Next Big Freight Forwarder?

Amazon Logo

People speculate Amazon is looking enter the freight industry and to be more specific become a Freight Forwarder. Amazon has conquered the online shopping industry, and now they are seeking to generate innovation and expansion. You may have heard that Amazon is now trailing drones as part of their last-mile delivery system. You might have missed a few announcements which provide evidence that Amazon could be making moves to enter into the freight industry. Amazon may be developing mobile technology so it can schedule and track truck shipments. This technology can be implemented into an Uber-like app for trucks.

What Has Made People Think this?

Amazon has a purchased around 4,000 semi-trucks and 40 cargo planes. They will spend nearly $1.5 billion on their new Air Freight Hub in Kentucky. Amazon has also recently expanded into Ocean freight they have not purchased any ships but it they have acted as a freight forwarder by helping Chinese merchants, last year they helped around 150 containers. Amazon claims that the purpose of these trucks and freight planes is to better their distribution services. Their aim is to not be reliant on companies such as DHL and UPS. However, a few people believe Amazon is just playing their cards close to their chest which is a wise move in the world of business.

With all these trucks Amazon could look to bring a freight forwarder in-house and give it an Amazon technology makeover. The freight forwarder would handle the operational side while selling excess space on Amazon trucks and planes to 3rd parties. As a result, this would trim the costs of their logistics side of the company.

The logistics industry have seen other big tech firms such as Uber looking to enter the freight sector by matching freight to available trucks. It’s not only big tech firms but firms like UPS have entered the freight forwarding industry by purchasing freight forwarding companies.

France Imposes Minimum Wage Legislation on International Drivers……

What is the Macron Law?

The law obliges all international transport companies who transit or have their drivers working in France to pay their drivers the French minimum wage of €9.76 an hour. France introduced this law on the 1st of July 2016. However, it was unclear whether the French would be able to enforce this. The EU started an infringement process in June 2016 against France. The outcome is still unclear as to whether they will be able to overrule this law.

What will the impact be?

European express market will be the most affected. With loads to/from Italy, France, Spain or Portugal, our vans have to travel through France. For example, if a driver spends 9 hours in France this could add an extra €35 to the cost of the shipment as European van drivers do not receive €9.76 an hour. As of 1st January this year, the French police have the right to stop any international driver and request documentation that proves that they are paid the French minimum wage. Hauliers have had to register their drivers online with the French Ministry of Labour and appoint a French fiscal representative.

This could also has an effect on full load rates as many Eastern European hauliers do not pay their drivers 9.76 euros per hour. If they transit France in the future, they will be obliged to pay them this hourly rate for the time spent in France.

Some European Transport Ministers met in Paris in late January to discuss the “unlevel” playing field they believe exists in Europe. They say that Eastern European hauliers have an enormous competitive advantage over most Western European countries who have minimum wage restraints in place.

 

We will keep you all updated on any changes.

What are the 4 most common trailers?

No we are not on about film trailers. we are talking about the trailers which are on the back of trucks. There are all sort of variants of trailers to transport every kind of freight you can imagine. The 4 most common trailers are:

Flat Bed Trailers

As the name suggests they are flat. They don’t have any sides or roof.

Enclosed Trailers

Used to protect freight from the elements. They are loaded from the rear but can be loaded by the side.

Low Boy Trailer

Designed to carry and transport taller goods.

Drop Deck Trailer

This is a type of flatbed. this is used to haul taller equipment that cannot be driven on.