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Customs Bill will shape future regimes


The UK government published the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill on 21 November which, although making no reference to customs, covers this legislative area. The Bill provides for a future customs regime, though it does not presuppose the outcome of the negotiations, and is thus not as clear in certain sections of the text as we might have liked. In both its previously published


BIFA signs up to United for Wildlife


BIFA recently signed The Buckingham Declaration to align the Association with United for Wildlife. It is a campaign led by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry to unite the world’s leading wildlife charities under a common purpose – to create a global movement for change. Our introduction was from Border Force and we join many leading airlines and shipping lines, government and non-governmental organisations. The role of the forwarder is to move goods and as an


industry we rely on our customers providing us with accurate information. Of course, a criminal will disguise the truth and we are finding more and more that compliance matters such as the Know Your Customer principles have to be applied by BIFA Members to prospective customers. In October, our Immediate Past Chairman, Fred


Osborn, attended a signatories meeting in the splendid surroundings of Lancaster House. The photograph above shows the splendour of the venue, although Fred did report to the Board that it was a full-on day of


Future Partnership Paper and White Paper, the government assessed the options for the UK’s future customs relationship with the EU (and therefore how the government uses the powers in the Customs Bill). It will be guided by what delivers the greatest economic advantage, and by three objectives: ensuring UK-EU trade is as frictionless as possible; avoiding a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland; and establishing an independent international trade policy. As also set out in the White


discussions and breakout groups! We have highlighted that our role is peripheral,


although United for Wildlife is pleased to have us join it. Our role will be mainly the spreading of information so that all people in the supply chain are vigilant for any possibility that animal products such as rhino horn may be being shipped. So, what can you do? The fight against shipping of


illegal animal products relies on awareness. Anything BIFA Members can do to educate their staff or suppliers is welcome. In coming months, we will provide further information.


Paper, the customs legislation will mostly be based on the Union Customs Code. The text of the bill can be viewed at the following web address: www.gov.uk/ government/publications/taxation- cross-border-trade-bill Because the bill is converting


existing EU legislation into UK law, there is no consultation. If anybody has concerns, please contact Robert Windsor on email r.windsor@bifa.org


By sea – Hague Visby rules (2 SDR): £2.11 per kg £704.71 per package


By road – CMR (8.33 SDR): £8.81 per kg


By air –Montreal Convention (19 SDR): £20.08 per kg


January 2018


By air –Warsaw Convention (17 SDR): £17.97 per kg


BIFA STC: (2 SDR): £2.11 per kg


(The SDR rate on 12 December 2017, according to the IMF website, was 1.05706)


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