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UK/EU deal is a positive step when resetting relationship with EU, says Logistics UK
Changes to the required checks on plant and animal products moving between GB and EU, and between GB and Northern Ireland, have the potential to strengthen the UK Internal Market and boost trade with the EU, by reducing bureaucracy, costs and border friction, according to Logistics UK.Â
The revisions, announced at the UK/EU Summit, will be welcomed in principle by the sector, says Head of Trade and Devolved Policy, Nichola Mallon, but full judgement will be reserved until the detail can be assessed:
“The new deal has the potential to drive growth throughout the UK by boosting GB agrifood trade to NI, and between GB and the EU, through reduced bureaucracy, costs and border delays. While the technical details have yet to be agreed, our members will welcome the deal in principle.
"It is now vital that the technical discussions and implementation, shaped by the input of businesses which have the expertise, are completed as a matter of urgency, so that UK traders and logistics businesses can realise the benefits of trading under the revised terms.
“The current requirement for Sanitary and PhytoSanitary (SPS) checks on plant and animal products moving between GB and EU and vice versa is adding time, bureaucracy and cost to UK traders and logistics operators. It is a burden that is hard to manage for SMEs and groupage operators in particular, as they must pay fees on each of the smaller shipments that they combine together.
"Since the UK’s decision to leave the EU was announced, Logistics UK has been consistent in calling for a comprehensive SPS Agreement between both economies. We have been making the case robustly to government and we are delighted at this commitment to a joint agreement that should smooth the passage of agrifood and plant products into and out of the country while protecting the UK’s biosecurity.
“There are still challenges facing the logistics sector when it comes to customs, the Schengen Area rule of a maximum of 90 days stay within any 180-day period and the restrictions this places on servicing touring artists, and Logistics UK will continue to urge the UK government and EU to be ambitious in this ongoing reset of relations and in the upcoming Review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
“As always, our industry stands ready to provide real-world advice and expertise to governments on both sides of the Channel to ease the passage of goods to the end user.”
Published On: 22/05/2025 15:00:00
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News In Brief
DHL and Evri merge to create billion parcel service
Evri, one of the UK's largest dedicated parcel delivery companies, and DHL eCommerce, the e-commerce logistics specialist of DHL Group, have today announced a strategic transaction that will see the merger of DHL eCommerce UK with Evri.
The merged Evri business will deliver over one billion parcels and a further one billion business letters annually and is poised to bring significant benefits to consumers and businesses by offering greater choice and cost competitive solutions. As part of the transaction, DHL Group will acquire a significant minority stake in Evri.
Evri's cost-effective and flexible courier offer will be complemented with the addition of DHL eCommerce's premium van delivery network. Rebranded Evri Premium - a network of DHL eCommerce - this will remain a dedicated and secure, separate network that will offer fast, time-sensitive deliveries with enhanced shipping security protection for high-value and large items for B2B and B2C parcel services.
The new group will include an expanded international capability for inbound and outbound parcels to complement Evri's own international network by making use of DHL eCommerce's extensive expertise in cross-border parcel shipping and out-of-home network of nearly 150,000 global access points.
This includes faster transit times across the world with access to DHL's own eCommerce network in Europe, the US and selected Asian markets such as India. Notably, Evri is entering the UK business letter market for the first time, with DHL's UK Mail retained in the new combined group and offering a best-in-class mail service. This will also offer e-commerce businesses more options for sending lighter-weight items.
In addition, customers will benefit from the group's new combined out-of-home shop and locker network parcel delivery and collection which will be the UK's largest.
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