In our original post—“Rising to the Challenge: Supporting Our Customers Through Disruption and Beyond” (published May 2021)—we outlined the decisive steps we were taking to navigate the dual disruption of Brexit and the global pandemic. At that time, Brexit had only recently come into effect, and the transition presented a steep learning curve for businesses and freight forwarders alike.
Today, we’re proud to report that the proactive foundations we laid have paid dividends, allowing us to continue supporting our customers with confidence, clarity, and consistency.
From Planning to Execution: Real-World Results
As soon as the Brexit agreement was finalised in December 2020, our dedicated internal committee sprang into action—implementing a full-scale review of all export processes to the EU. This included:
- Proactively collecting EORI numbers from all EU-based customers
- Auditing and updating product tariff codes
- Redesigning commercial documentation to meet new customs requirements
- Coordinating closely with freight forwarders and EU suppliers
- Introducing and adopting relevant Incoterms to streamline cross-border transactions
Our objective wasn’t just to “get through” the disruption—but to emerge stronger and more agile in our approach to international trade.
Adapting Through Uncertainty
The early months of 2021 brought unavoidable delays across the transport sector, as logistics providers scrambled to meet new customs declaration procedures. Like many exporters, we experienced short-term disruption—but our preparation helped us resolve challenges quickly and maintain supply continuity.
Fast forward to today, and the freight landscape has largely stabilised. Our logistics partners, much like ourselves, have now embedded these post-Brexit protocols into their daily operations. For us, this has meant a return to reliable lead times and minimal customs delays for EU-bound shipments.
A Clearer Approach to International Commercial Terms (Incoterms)
Brexit has also brought Incoterms to the forefront of our international operations. These globally recognised commercial terms help define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers more clearly, particularly useful when navigating cross-border transactions under new regulatory conditions.
We now regularly use Incoterms such as:
- DAP (Delivered at Place)
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
- EXW (Ex-Works)
This clarity not only benefits our internal logistics teams but also helps our customers plan shipments and costs with greater confidence.
If you’re unsure which Incoterm is best suited to your requirements, our team is always available to provide guidance and tailored recommendations.
Our Promise: Ongoing Service, Uninterrupted Support
While Brexit may no longer dominate headlines, its long-term implications remain an integral part of how UK businesses trade with the EU. We remain committed to serving our customers with the same speed, service, and quality you’ve come to expect.
We continue to monitor evolving regulatory changes, engage closely with freight providers, and invest in customer communication to ensure that we’re not just responding to challenges—but staying ahead of them.