www.bifa.org


Robert Keen’s Column


BIFAlink


BIFAlink is the official magazine of the British International Freight Association Redfern House, Browells Lane, Feltham TW13 7EP Tel: 020 8844 2266 Web site: www.bifa.org E-mail: bifa@bifa.org (A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England: 391973. VAT Registration: 216476363)


Director General Robert Keen r.keen@bifa.org Executive Director Robert Windsor r.windsor@bifa.org Executive Director Spencer Stevenson s.stevenson@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor Pawel Jarza p.jarza@bifa.org Policy & Compliance Advisor David Stroud d.stroud@bifa.org Training Development Manager Carl Hobbis c.hobbis@bifa.org Editorial Co-ordinator Sharon Hammond s.hammond@bifa.org


Published by Park Lane Publishing peter@parklanepublishingltd.com Contributors Robert Keen, Robert Windsor, Pawel Jarza, David Stroud, Spencer Stevenson, Carl Hobbis, Sharon Hammond


Regional Consultants to BIFA Scotland and the Borders Len Hobbs: bifa.scot@gmail.com Northern Ireland Carson McMullan: carsonconluce@aol.com Midlands and the North Paul Young: youngyes@aol.com London West and the South West Mike Jones: m.jones@bifa.org Anglia, London East and the South East Paul Newman: paul@pnauk.com


Note to media: If you wish to use items in this magazine that are older than 1 month, please contact the editor 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.


Abandoned shipments raise lien questions


We are getting an increased number of enquiries regarding liens at present with many importers having cash flow difficulties and in some cases abandoning shipments. My colleagues who deal with the majority of such enquiries have written a comprehensive article about aspects of the BIFA lien on page 12, which I recommend you read. There are no simple answers with liens as there are so many permutations. At BIFA we have some operational knowledge based on past questions that we have handled, but we have no formal legal training. Whilst in most cases we can help with the principles, the more complex scenarios often need the services of a solicitor well versed in the BIFA Standard Trading Conditions. Such solicitors that we know can be found at bifa.org following the path: More, Contacts, Links, Solicitors.


BIFA supports the activity of NaVCIS, (a division of the Police called the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence


Service). Since the lockdown, NaVCIS have seen an approximate 50% reduction in HGV and cargo crime compared with the same period last year. NaVCIS have been made aware of three theft incidents involving personal protective equipment (PPE) in various parts of the UK during the last seven weeks. NaVCIS is not aware of any organised crime groups deliberately targeting heavy goods vehicles or warehouses for PPE, but in light of the current situation please remain vigilant if handling such items. Whilst talking about PPE, a number of BIFA Members have encountered difficulties with this material and also


with medical supplies, perhaps dealing with it for the first time. Certainly, some of the routings we have seen involve multiple transhipment points with (in some cases) inspections and detention of goods supposedly in transit. Other problems emerging include forged conformity certificates and fake or non-compliant products. It seems regular importers are sometimes branching out into this traffic outside of their regular business. With a lack of experience in this new product, the importers can create problems and, as is often the case, the forwarder can be stuck in the middle. Hopefully you have found the information we have been pushing out useful. We try to ensure we send


relevant information rather than bombard BIFA Members with all of the newsletters and bulletins we receive. However with the coronavirus information, we have taken to circulating quite a lot of material that is outside our normal remit. We do realise there is a plethora of information being supplied by lawyers, accountants and HR firms, etc. With government easement grants or the job retention scheme, we believe most BIFA Members are abreast of the communications being issued but we are always willing to assist if we can and we have good contacts with many suitable sources. One such topic that BIFA Members asked us to issue guidance on is planning to return to work. This


guidance may change as any new government advice is issued, but it is good practice on key areas that should be contemplated if a building has been closed or not fully used for some time. The full document can be found on bifa.org and there is a synopsis on page 6 of this edition of BIFAlink. We also arranged a webinar in May with Associate BIFA Member Citation on this subject. Turning to Associate Members, we get enquiries from BIFA Members asking whether we endorse or


recommend these firms. Associate Members are firms that supply goods or services to the freight forwarding sector. They pay BIFA a fee for this category of membership which, of course, helps us to keep forwarder membership dues unchanged (subscriptions have not been raised since 2007). In many cases, such as solicitors or insurance brokers, it is a form of sponsorship but of course these firms are using Associate Membership to gain business. It is up to you whether you buy from these firms. We use some of these companies ourselves, but we do not take any reward if a BIFA Member uses them. Lastly, if an Associate Member claims it is recommended by BIFA, please let me know. Such cases of over-enthusiastic salespeople are very rare, and I want to keep it that way.


Robert Keen Director General


June 2020


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