Customs declaration

November 2024; Customs and compliance update

Nov 13, 2024 | , , , , , , , ,

Our customs consultancy team provide insights on the latest changes, making it easier for you to stay on top of your planning and development needs.

To help us better support your compliance and efficiency goals, including duty/tax reclaims, we encourage you to click the button below to complete our short, five question survey. By responding, you’ll receive tailored insights and support to address any gaps or opportunities within your customs and trade processes.

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
As attention focused on the recent UK government budget, many missed the announcement about the UK’s own carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), coming into effect on 1st January 2027. This CBAM will place a carbon price on high-risk goods imported to the UK from sectors including aluminium, cement, fertiliser, hydrogen, iron, and steel. This measure aims to prevent “carbon leakage” by ensuring the UK’s decarbonisation efforts truly reduce global emissions rather than simply shifting them abroad.

Key points:
• Goods from the glass and ceramics sectors are excluded from CBAM requirements starting in 2027.
• Only businesses importing over £50,000 of CBAM goods annually will need to comply.
• Lessons from the EU’s recent CBAM rollout, which faced data challenges, may offer valuable insights as the UK implements its own system.

Safety & Security Great Britain (SSGB)
The SSGB requires an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) for all goods imported to Great Britain from the EU, effective from 31st January 2025. Responsibility for filing lies with the carrier or haulier, but as the UK importer, you hold the key data.

Here’s what you need to know:
• For accompanied freight, the origin freight forwarder or haulier is responsible for the ENS submission.
• For unaccompanied freight, the ferry line is responsible.
• Some of the required data can be found on your import customs entry, but certain details may depend on direct or indirect liability, particularly if ENS filing is requested by another party.
• A GB EORI number is essential for those needing access to the system.
• HMRC requires accurate and updated departure details before sailings, although some linking issues with GVMS remain unresolved.

Final guidance is pending, but obtaining EORI information from your suppliers will support this new requirement.

Windsor Framework
The Windsor Framework, replacing the Northern Ireland Protocol, has seen its implementation date pushed from 30th September 2024 to 31st March 2025.

This framework introduces Red and Green lanes for goods traffic and replaces the TSS (Trader Support Service) with the UKIMS (UK Internal Market Scheme). It will simplify trade, particularly for agrifoods moving into Northern Ireland, with the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) reducing administrative burdens for certain goods.

import control system 2 (ICS2)
As ICS2 progresses for EU surface cargo, European hauliers have voiced concerns about the challenge of gathering essential data. Metro can assist exporters by preparing data in advance from the export entry, keeping hauliers on the move.

Key details:
• Much of the required information is found on the customs entry.
• Emphasis has shifted to 6-digit commodity codes, and the EU consignee’s EORI number is now required.

Simplifying the complex
While the list of complex abbreviations and requirements continues to grow, don’t worry because our team can break down the jargon and provide clear, actionable guidance to ensure smooth customs compliance.

Client survey: Insight into your compliance needs
Please take a few moments to complete our survey. Your responses will help us understand your needs and provide solutions that enhance your compliance and streamline your processes. Thank you for your feedback!

Metro are at the forefront of customs brokerage solutions, with our automated CuDoS declaration platform and dedicated team of customs experts, reacting swiftly to any changes in the UK and EU’s trading regimes.

To learn more about compliance, CBAM, SSGB, The Windsor Framework or ICS2 – OR to see how we can simplify and automate customs declarations – please EMAIL Andy Fitchett, Brokerage Manager.

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Strengthening Global Network to Address Supply Chain Challenges

Oct 30, 2024 | , , , , , , , ,

Metro’s strategic partner network is central to delivering market-leading logistics services, especially as global supply chains face ongoing challenges. With the appointment of Peter Orange as head of global network development, Metro is deepening its commitment to building robust partnerships worldwide, enhancing collaboration, and strengthening its network’s resilience to meet customer needs.

Highlighting the significance of Metro’s partner network, managing director Grant Liddell and chief commercial officer Andy Smith recently completed a ten-day trip across Asia. During the visit, they met with key partners, carriers, and customers to strengthen relationships and gain valuable insights into regional market dynamics.

This focus on building connections comes at a time when supply chains are under persistent pressure, making agile, strategic partnerships essential to delivering reliable service.

Peter Orange’s new role: Deepening global partnerships
With over three decades of experience spanning airlines and logistics firms across diverse regions—including Australia, Singapore, UAE, and the UK—Peter Orange brings a global perspective to his role as head of global network development. His mandate is clear: to enhance Metro’s engagement with existing partners and explore potential new alliances, particularly those that bring specialised expertise in verticals like automotive and high-tech.

Peter’s appointment reflects Metro’s commitment to fostering like-minded partnerships that prioritise value, service reliability, compliance, and transparent communication. As part of this role, Peter is reviewing existing partner relationships, assessing shared business strategies, and aligning efforts across transport modes—whether air, ocean, or combinations—to ensure Metro’s global partnerships are primed to adapt to dynamic market demands. He is also leading a continuous evaluation process with core partners, holding regular reviews to assess market opportunities and align on growth objectives.

Building on this foundation, Metro plans to expand Peter’s team with route development managers who will focus on key regions, including Asia Pacific and EMEA, alongside the current emphasis on North America. This team will work closely with Metro’s partners to drive sales, share market intelligence, and set clear growth targets, reinforcing Metro’s strategy of data-informed and relationship-driven expansion.

Insights from Metro’s Asia trip
In September, Grant Liddell and Andy Smith travelled to Singapore, Shanghai, and Hong Kong to meet with Metro’s Asian partners, customers, and major carriers. The trip provided valuable insights into the region’s logistics landscape, particularly with regard to the effects of eCommerce growth on airfreight demand and the impact of ocean capacity adjustments driven by regional geopolitical issues.

A notable takeaway from their discussions was the continued strength of eCommerce in driving airfreight demand, particularly on routes from Asia to Europe and North America. This trend is keeping rates elevated and creating heightened capacity needs. In ocean freight, major trade routes are seeing increased rates due to strong demand and capacity constraints, with factors like the Red Sea diversions further tightening supply. The expectation is that these pressures will persist into Q4, reinforcing the need for strong partnerships and agile strategies.

Metro’s commitment to building a resilient partner network ensures that customers benefit from agile, robust global supply chains, capable of adapting to shifts in demand and overcoming potential disruptions.

With Peter Orange leading this effort, alongside Metro’s strengthened ties in Asia, we’re dedicated to adding value and positioning our customers for success in today’s dynamic logistics landscape.

To explore how Metro’s partnerships can support your business needs, please EMAIL Peter Orange for more information.

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Enhanced groupage services to France and Germany

Oct 2, 2024 | , , , , , , , ,

In our continued efforts to provide exceptional trans-European logistics solutions, we have recently upgraded our groupage services to France and Germany, offering greater speed and efficiency, alongside competitive rates and our top-tier customer care.

Our French groupage services continue to excel, offering regular, efficient departures and seamless distribution throughout the country. In addition, we have expanded our reach in Germany, a vital hub for European trade. With frequent departures, including into the Ruhr area, one of Germany’s most important industrial regions, we ensure that goods are swiftly distributed across the country thanks to our trusted network of partners.

In today’s fast-paced and ultra-competitive markets, it’s not just about speed and cost—it’s about communication, reliability, and trust. By carefully selecting carrier and network partners in France and Germany, who share our customer-first mindset, we ensure that our clients benefit from smooth communication, timely updates, and a full door-to-door (DDP) solution. Our goal is to make European shipping as hassle-free as possible, providing a service that values our customers’ time and business.

However, businesses shipping to and from Germany should be aware of some potential changes that may impact the logistics landscape. Recently, Germany has enforced stricter border controls aimed at curbing migrant activity. While the long-term effects on freight traffic remain unclear, it is a development that could impact trucks entering and leaving the country.

Additionally, as of November 2024, UK passport holders will be required to register their biometric details, such as fingerprints or a photo, when entering the Schengen area, which could cause some delays for trucks crossing from the UK into the EU.

Despite these challenges, our French and German groupage services remain reliable and dependable, ensuring that goods are delivered efficiently while providing the highest level of customer care.

Metro’s road transport solutions incorporate dedicated vehicles moving on set routes for security, with defined delivery deadlines and GPS tracked trucks, to provide full transparency on transit schedules throughout the UK and continental Europe.

Our road freight teams are located close by major manufacturing and transport hubs across the UK. To explore the potential of our German and other European services EMAIL Richard Gibbs to begin a conversation.

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European market review and group developments

Aug 7, 2024 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The European freight market continues to face a complex landscape, characterised by fluctuating demand and evolving capacity challenges. In this review, we examine the current state of the road freight market and highlight recent group developments, including the acquisition of a Portuguese intermodal specialist and the launch of a new container shipping service.

Road Freight Market
Despite some positive economic developments, the road freight sector remains challenged by uncertain demand, with no indication of a trend reversal over the summer. This persistent issue is also evident in the capacity trends reported by TIMOCOM’s index. Significant capacity bottlenecks were noted in the first quarter, primarily due to reduced truck fleets.

This trend persisted into the second quarter, with the ratio of freight to cargo space standing at 77:23, dropping further to 73:27 in July, which is typical for the summer months. Despite these challenges, freight rates remain high. Although diesel prices have moderated, other costs, such as driver wages, continue to rise.

The TEG Index tracked a 6% year-on-year increase in haulage prices in July 2023, reflecting the rising costs that hauliers face. This index typically shows prices stalling over the summer before recovering in September, indicating that current trends are in line with historical patterns.

Acquisition of Portuguese Intermodal Specialist
We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Portuguese intermodal specialist KLOG. This acquisition allows us to enhance our intermodal transport capabilities, particularly for customers with significant continental volumes or those aiming to meet decarbonisation targets.

KLOG is renowned for its efficient, reliable, and cost-effective intermodal services to and from the Iberian Peninsula, serving some of Europe’s largest retailers, brands, and manufacturers. Their established rail services to and from Germany and Poland, via hubs in Spain and France, present significant opportunities for shippers trading between Northern Europe and Iberia.

KLOG currently operates two block train departures a week to and from their Portuguese rail hub to Poznan in Poland and Duisburg in Germany, routing via France and Spain. 

These services are complemented by short sea/rail connections. Additionally, four block trains run weekly between Entroncamento (Portugal) and Tarragona (Spain), with a further three block trains operating weekly in Spain between Tarragona, Bilbao, Valladolid, and Sevilla.

A wide range of 45’ equipment is available for all services, including curtain-side, dry container, and refrigerated containers, as well as 20’ ISO tanks. Last-mile delivery and/or collection from the Tarragona hub is available with e-trucks as an option.

Key Benefits:
– 24/7 Control Tower Service
– High rail frequency with daily departures
– Reliable lead-time comparable to road transport
– Sustainable solutions available year-round
– Reduction in truck usage and reliance on scarce driver resources
– CO2 emission reductions of 90% compared to road alternatives

New container shipping service connecting Spain, Portugal, and Northern Europe
Ellerman City Liners, a group container shipping line with over 120 years of history, has introduced a new joint service with CMA CGM, connecting Spain, Portugal, and Northern Europe. This service aims to address ocean freight capacity shortages on key trade lanes, providing speed, service, and certainty to supply chains.

The first vessel of the new iNEX service departed Rotterdam on 9th July 2024. This service enhances efficiency, expands geographical scope, and reduces the carbon footprint for shippers. Operated with two 1,400 TEU vessels, the weekly sailing schedule includes the ports of Cadiz, Setubal, Leixoes, Ferrol, Tilbury, Dunkirk, and Rotterdam.

By working closely with partners Ellerman and KLOG, we are expanding the intermodal options available to our customers, delivering cost-effective and sustainable services as part of our commitment to decarbonising the supply chain.

Metro’s integrated transport services streamline import and export product flows across Europe, North Africa, and Turkey. By combining road, intermodal, and short sea modes, we ensure more efficient cargo transportation, reduced delivery times, and cost savings.

Our extensive partner network, multi-modal transport solutions, and MVT supply chain platforms are designed to meet even the most complex requirements across multiple regions, vendors, and customers.

Discover how we can enhance your trans-continental trading. EMAIL our Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Smith, to arrange a consultation and scoping discussion.

Category: France

4PL | Air | Chemical | EU | Exports | Foodstuffs | France | Hazardous | Intermodal | International Trade | Rail | Retail | Sea

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