BIFA heads calls to keep UK in EU customs union post-Brexit

The British International Freight Association, which represents freight forwarding companies, is calling for United Kingdom negotiators to pursue a “soft” exit from the European Union, particularly as it relates to the EU customs union.    With negotiations on the terms of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union now underway in Brussels as of Monday, the British International Freight Association (BIFA), which represents freight forwarding companies, is calling for UK negotiators to push for a deal that keeps the country in the European customs union.
   The request comes after word arose last weekend that the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, had dismissed speculation the UK could pursue a “soft Brexit” and remain part of the EU’s customs union and the single market, BIFA Director General Robert Keen said Monday.
   “Like many, BIFA believes the economic benefits of the European Union single market, which allows free movement of goods, services, capital and people, and the customs union, which enables tariff-free trading within the EU, should be maintained until a final settlement between the UK and the EU is agreed and implemented, whenever that might be,” Keen said.
   “Mr. Hammond and others ought to be trying to convince colleagues to review the decision to leave the EU customs union, as laid out by (Prime Minister) Theresa May in her Lancaster House speech in January,” he added.
   Efficient and effective visible international trade needs fluidity at the borders, Keen remarked.
   “BIFA fears that leaving the customs union will lead to the imposition of tariffs, border checks, customs declarations and bureaucracy for the many UK businesses trading within the EU, as well as BIFA members, which provide the logistics services that underpin such trade,” he continued.
   “BIFA, on behalf of its members, suggests the [British] government needs to keep an open mind on solutions needed for the post-Brexit period, rather than throwing out the baby with the bathwater by having an inflexible attitude on ongoing membership of the customs union.”