Business, Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics

Freight industry ‘betrayed’ by Northern Ireland U-turn

[ August 24, 2020   //   Chris ]

A survey of 170 users of Agency Sector Management’s (ASM) Sequoia Customs clearance platform moving freight between Northern Ireland and Great Britain found that many believe that the new measures outlined will have a negative impact on trade.

ASM chairman, Peter MacSwiney, said he was concerned that many of the proposed systems and infrastructure do not exist yet, with 1 January 2021 only five months away. He explained: “We are actively pushing for clarity and answers to outstanding queries and issues that we have already raised with HMRC on behalf of our customers.”

Trevor Scott, managing director of Simarco Worldwide Logistics, which is using Sequoia to prepare for customs declarations on the trade lane, added: “Our business model along with our partner in NI and customer base is founded on the concept of late collections in GB for next day deliveries into NI. This requires a seamless journey which will be seriously impacted with the requirement for Customs declarations.

“There is a feeling of betrayal in the freight community that these new procedures are being introduced after early assurances they would not be required.”