Steve Parker, Director General of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) considers why freight forwarders must have a stronger voice in shaping the policies that govern an increasingly uncertain international trading environment.
Uncertainty remains a constant when it comes to international trade. Whether it lies in navigating customs, tariff changes or supply chain disruptions, freight forwarders are operating in an environment where the ability to anticipate challenges in order to maintain a resilient supply chain has never been more important.
This is especially apparent as geopolitical tensions form the backdrop of how trade relationships and regulatory developments are navigated. Given the scale and complexity of challenges facing businesses across the world in today’s climate, adaptability has become an increasingly important part of everyday operations.
The reality of an increasingly complex trading environment
Freight forwarders are increasingly playing the role of advisor to their customers- helping businesses understand the implications of changes to tariffs or regulatory requirements and help find workable solutions.
That might mean identifying alternative routes, managing additional costs, navigating new customs requirements or responding to delays that have consequences throughout the supply chain. In isolation, these challenges are not simply operational inconveniences; as a chain reaction, they can impact delivery schedules, business costs, customer relationships and, ultimately, the competitiveness of companies relying on international trade.
This is where the expertise of freight forwarders becomes particularly valuable in helping business keep their goods moving. In these times, the practical realities of international trade means lifting the curtain for businesses to truly understand how different transport modes, border processes and regulatory requirements interact, and the challenges that arise when one part of that system is disrupted
The ability to adapt is a significant strength of the freight forwarding industry but there is also the need to look at how the wider trading environment can be made more efficient, predictable and supportive of the businesses operating within it.
Policy must reflect operational reality
One of the most important areas where this practical experience needs to be heard is in the development of trade and customs policy.
Regulatory complexity is likely to remain a feature of international trade, making it essential that changes to systems and processes deliver meaningful improvements for the businesses expected to use them.
Customs modernisation is a significant issue for our members. While the objectives of modernisation are important, successful implementation depends on understanding how systems work in practice. The same principle applies to the UK’s wider international trading relationships. Friction around international trade, particularly with the EU, continues to create challenges for businesses moving goods across borders.
For freight forwarders, practical issues that can affect the movement of consignments, the time required to complete processes and the costs faced by customers, so this is why our members’ experiences matter. The more BIFA can demonstrate the real-world impact of policy, the stronger our ability to influence future decisions.
Meaningful engagement with the freight forwarding sector must therefore be part of the discussion from the outset, rather than being sought only when problems emerge.
Giving freight forwarding a stronger voice
Freight forwarders operate across air, sea and road, meaning different markets and specialisms, which is why the experiences of our members need to be heard by government, regulators and the wider industry.
The common thread for the industry is that freight forwarders connect businesses with international markets. They navigate complex requirements, coordinate movements across borders and help customers respond when circumstances change. If the UK wants to strengthen its international trading relationships and support economic growth, the practical experience of the businesses facilitating that trade needs to be part of the conversation.
Looking ahead
The challenges facing international trade are unlikely to disappear. Geopolitical developments, regulatory change and evolving trading relationships will continue to shape the environment in which freight forwarders operate. But uncertainty doesn’t mean staying stationary. It means continuing to demonstrate the ability to adapt, solve problems and support businesses through periods of change. That expertise will remain essential as the international trading environment continues to evolve. The most resilient businesses will be those that adapt to change rather than react to it. This means embracing new technologies, investing in people and building the next generation of talent needed to help customers navigate an increasingly complex world.
When we look to the future, the key priority is how we build on our existing strength. For me, the answer lies in greater collaboration, a stronger voice for freight forwarding and a shared commitment to ensuring that policy decisions reflect the realities of moving goods across borders.
Our National Conference in September provided an important opportunity to bring together members, policymakers and industry stakeholders to explore these challenges and consider what comes next. Now is the time to extend the conversation beyond the conference itself.
Navigating an uncertain world requires more than responding to the next disruption. It encourages us to use the knowledge and experience within our industry to help shape a more resilient and effective trading environment.
Freight forwarders should not simply be expected to navigate the consequences of decisions made elsewhere. Their expertise should help inform those decisions in the first place.
