Freight forwarding goes right back to the 1800’s!
Back in 1836, Thomas Meadows and Company Limited of London, began to see the need for this industry following the demand created by more reliable rail transport and steamships. Trade was increasing to Europe and North America in particular. In fact the first freight forwarders were London innkeepers who forwarded on the luggage of their hotel guests!
A key element of freight forwarding then, which still exists to this day, was the advice and professional handling of documentation and customs requirements, specialist international knowledge. As worldwide connections continued and continue to increase the demand for freight forwarding has just kept on growing right up to the present day.
Ironically, rail freight in particular, has never been in such high demand with the shortage of truck drivers and the need to reduce the carbon footprint of road miles. Currently 25% of containers from ports are transported by rail, whilst 75% travel on road freight, which means that there are great opportunities for more use of rail freight.
A freight train consumes as little as a third of the energy required by a truck and saves more than 80% of the carbon dioxide emissions. Not only does the future look bright for the industry, but also for our planet!
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Currently, low value imports – goods with a value of £135 or less being imported into the UK – can claim a customs duty relief. VAT is due on these goods following reforms in 2021. Goods worth more than £135 can incur a duty of up to 25%.
“Instead of nurturing the green shoots of economic recovery, the government risks stamping them out. The increase in fuel duty announced in the Budget will mean hundreds of millions in increased taxes for logistics businesses, much of which will be passed onto households and businesses, as well as hitting motorists directly – fuelling inflation across the economy. It is a short-sighted decision that fails to appreciate logistics’ role in the economy – logistics costs are embedded in all products from food and medicines to construction materials and consumer goods: increasing logistics taxes mean increased costs for everyone.
FIATA – the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations, is a non-governmental, membership-based organisation representing freight forwarders in some 150 countries.