British International Freight Association (COMPLETE - GUIDE)
Priya laughs, the first human sound he’s heard all day. “Marcus, that’s the whole point of BIFA. Freight isn’t about trucks or ships. It’s about who knows who . The Association has been building those relationships since 1944. You don’t have a membership card. You have a skeleton key.”
He calls.
Marcus Thorne, 58, a freight forwarding manager at Avon Logistics , Bristol. He has a rubber band of sweat around his collar and the hollowed-out look of a man who has been on hold with a shipping line for 47 minutes. british international freight association
Priya doesn’t offer sympathy. She offers process .
If you are tendering for logistics services, the question should not be "Is this forwarder a BIFA member?" but rather "Why aren't they?" Priya laughs, the first human sound he’s heard all day
The association actively engages with key stakeholders, including:
BIFA is a not-for-profit organization that brings together companies involved in the movement of goods and cargo across the globe. The association's members include freight forwarders, logistics providers, shipping lines, airlines, and other industry stakeholders. BIFA's primary objective is to promote the interests of its members and the wider industry, while also providing a platform for networking, training, and information sharing. It’s about who knows who
In an industry where cargo can be damaged, delayed, or lost, clarity is king. The BIFA STC acts as a vital safety net for both the forwarder and the client.
The international freight industry is a vital component of the UK's economy, with millions of tons of cargo being transported across the globe every year. The industry faces a range of challenges, including:
“They will,” Priya says. “Because I’m also calling BIFA’s legal panel. We’ll file a with their bonding insurer. One phone call from me, and their bond is at risk. They’ll sign.”
BIFA has been at the forefront of this transition. Through its extensive training programs and policy lobbying, the association has worked tirelessly to ensure the industry is not bogged down by red tape. They provide members with up-to-the-minute advice on border procedures and government policy, acting as a bridge between the logistics sector and the Department for Transport (DfT) or HMRC.