Time is running out to get your business ready for Brexit, says FTA

Wednesday 28 November 2018

Despite an ever-changing political landscape, continuing uncertainty over what will happen to trading relationships with the European Union after March 2019 is making it hard for logistics businesses to know how to plan for Brexit, and time is fast running out.  Indeed, in a recent FTA survey of transport operators, two-thirds of respondents admitted that they are not ready to deal with Brexit.

To enable businesses to make preparations and plan ahead to maintain the integrity of their supply chains, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) will be holding a one-day conference ’Getting logistics ready for Brexit’ on 19 December at the Amba Hotel Charing Cross in London.  FTA’s team of Brexit experts from both the UK and Brussels will be on hand to advise on what businesses should be doing right now to ensure the seamless flow of goods and materials continues after the UK leaves the European Union.   

FTA has been at the heart of the debate on Brexit since the triggering of Article 50, standing up for the logistics sector and lobbying government in order to keep Britain trading.  The conference has been timed to allow the FTA team to address the most recent Brexit developments and their implication on the negotiations’ outcome.

FTA’s Head of European Policy and Brexit, Pauline Bastidon, who will be chairing the conference, said: “This conference will provide a hands-on guide to Brexit planning for logistics, focusing on the practical steps they can be taking, irrespective of whether the UK leaves the EU abruptly, enters a deal-based transition or delays the decision.  We will take the most important issues and examine what we know, what we don’t know, what the risk is, and what companies could and should do to be Brexit ready.

“Whether they are transporters of goods, freight forwarders, retailers or manufacturers who depend on the uninterrupted movement of goods, this timely conference will give businesses the knowledge and confidence to manage the risks across their business and supply chain.”

Issues to be covered include:

  • De-risking international road haulage
  • De-risking imports: UK customs and security procedures: the basics
  • De-risking exports: EU customs and security procedures: the basics
  • Customs and security made simple(r)
  • Status of employees
  • Trade with and within the island of Ireland
  • 10 things you can do now to de-risk Brexit

As well as having their questions answered on the day, all delegates will have a unique chance to book a one-to-one Brexit surgery with one of FTA’s experts to discuss their business-specific questions and issues.

The cost to attend for FTA members is £250.00 + VAT for the first delegate and £220.00 + VAT for subsequent delegates; for non-members it’s £295.00 + VAT for the first delegate and £265.00 + VAT for subsequent delegates.

For further information or to book a place go to https://fta.co.uk/events/getting-logistics-ready-for-brexit or call the FTA Member Service Centre on 03717 11 22 22.