BIFA continues to prepare for a no-deal Brexit

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is advising its members to continue preparing for a no-deal Brexit departure on March 29, “until further clarity is obtained”.

BIFA offered this advice “while the UK government keeps working, pushing and grinding on to try again to make the case for its Brexit compromise, and MPs carry on hunting, and arguing for alternatives that could take the place of that compromise if it ultimately fails”.

Robert Keen, BIFA’s director general, said that that this has been the trade association’s advice to freight forwarders for several weeks.

Keen said: “Confusion reigns and with less than a fortnight to go before Brexit, no proposal is off the table and some suggest that a ‘no deal’ exit can happen because last week’s vote was advisory.

“A no-deal departure would be very disruptive and damaging for the UK economy as a whole, but freight forwarders – many of whom are Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) accredited – would play a key role in tidying up the mess left by the politicians by ensuring UK importers and exporters can continue trading with the rest of Europe as best as possible after March 29.”

He added that BIFA members are “ahead of the curve and planning for every eventuality”, with their trade association “trying to  make sure it gets relevant information to its members following the release of that information from the various UK government departments”.

BIFA’s executive management has engaged with various government departments over the last two years regarding the issues that affect the movement of visible trade post March 29, in order to provide its members with advice on those discussions whenever procedures are finalised.

Continued Keen: “Our members have also been discussing the possible impacts with their clients.

“Large and small, BIFA members have taken actions to review all options to overcome the disorder that a no-deal Brexit could bring to international trade in order to define sustainable solutions as the set of Brexit conditions becomes clearer.

“One thing is certain, our members are ready, willing and able to clear up any mess regarding the movement of freight into and from the UK, created by politicians.”