Sandford Newsletter
Sandford Freight UK Ltd
AEO approved Freight Forwarder based at Heathrow Airport. For quotations email: quotes@sandfordfreight.co.uk
From Christmas jumper days to attending conferences in Thailand, here’s a look at our updates and highlights in the run up to Christmas.
Latest News
Christmas Hours
With Christmas just around the corner, we are sharing our official Christmas and New Year opening hours to help you plan your logistics requirements during this busy time.
We wish you all a peaceful and joyous holiday season.
Xmas Jumper Day
At Sandford Freight, we embraced the holiday spirit by taking part in Christmas Jumper Day! Our team came together, wearing our best festive jumpers to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association.
Ferrari Shipment
We’re excited to share the successful transport of a Ferrari, flown from Cyprus to Dubai! This high-value shipment was expertly managed with the support of P.T. Cargo Services Ltd and Emirates. Handling luxury cargo like this is always a rewarding challenge, and we’re proud to ensure vehicles arrive in pristine condition.
ROY’S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
Dear Valued Customers and Partners,
As we approach the end of 2024, we want to take a moment to express our sincere appreciation for your continued support and partnership.
Over the past few months, we have faced new challenges and seized exciting opportunities. Through it all, your feedback and engagement have been vital in refining our products and services to better serve your needs.
We are committed to maintaining this momentum into 2025 and together, we can look forward to even greater success in the months ahead.
Thank you for being an integral part of our journey.
Warm regards,
Roy Walker
EVENTS
Americas Alliance Conference
The Americas Alliance Conference in Buenos Aires was a truly memorable experience for Daniel and George. They began the week with productive one-on-one meetings, laying the foundation for exciting future collaborations. There was even time to enjoy a local football match and meet the legendary Hulk!
The following days were filled with networking events, including cocktail parties, a grand gala dinner, and a heartfelt farewell celebration. These moments reinforced the importance of building strong personal connections alongside professional partnerships.
UN Network Phuket Conference
Roy Walker and Daniel Walker had the pleasure of attending the conference for the first time in beautiful Phuket, Thailand. It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with new agents from around the world and reconnect with familiar faces. Building connections and strengthening partnerships—this is what drives us forward at Sandford Freight!
China Visit
It was a whirlwind fortnight for Roy and Daniel Walker, who recently travelled from China to Thailand and back to China.
They visited some of our key partners and explore new opportunities for collaboration. Along the way, they were treated to incredible hospitality, enjoyed meaningful conversations, and sampled some fantastic local cuisine. It was a journey that truly celebrated the spirit of partnership and shared success.
Behind the Scenes with BIFA Young Forwarders
Matthew Harvey, one of our talented young team members, recently attended a BIFA Young Forwarder Network event hosted at IAG Cargo. This insightful session provided a behind-the-scenes look at cargo operations, including compliance processes, specialised storage for pharmaceutical goods and food, and the intricacies of freight handling. It was an inspiring experience and a valuable learning opportunity for the future of logistics.
TEAM NEWS
FAREWELL TO KIRSTY
After six incredible years, we are bidding a fond farewell to Kirsty Hayden as she returns to her home in Australia. Kirsty has been an integral part of our team, starting in accounts, progressing to road freight, and rising to the role of Senior Road Freight Coordinator. Her dedication, hard work, and exceptional service have been consistently praised by clients and colleagues alike.
To mark the occasion, we celebrated Kirsty’s time with us over a special lunch with the management team. While we will miss her greatly, we know she will excel in her next adventure.
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GEORGE’S SPECIAL BIRTHDAY
This month, we celebrated a special milestone for George, who turned the big 3-0! To mark the occasion, Roy treated the team to a pizza lunch, and a particularly special gift came from Roy and his wife, Jayne, presented in a red envelope—adding a personal touch to an already memorable day.
George, thank you for all that you do for Sandford. Your dedication and hard work don’t go unnoticed, and we’re incredibly lucky to have you on the team. Wishing you all the best as you step into this exciting new decade!
INDUSTRY NEWS
CBS Surcharge - Effective January 1, 2025
Starting January 1, 2025, the Port of Felixstowe (Hutchison Ports) will transition from VBS to CBS, introducing significant changes to pricing and booking processes.
To offset increased costs, Sandford Freight will implement a small surcharge on all import bookings. This measure ensures we maintain service quality while managing the administrative impact of the new system.
We will review this surcharge after three months and guarantee no additional rate increases during this period.
Potential ILA Strike & Emergency Congestion Surcharge
The International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) may begin a labour strike on January 15, 2025, potentially causing significant delays at US East and Gulf Coast ports.
In response, an Emergency Congestion Surcharge of USD 40 w/m(min USD 40) will apply to all LCL imports and exports at these ports from January 15, 2025, until the situation stabilises.
We are actively monitoring the situation and will keep you updated.
Holyhead Port Closure & HMRC Contingency Measures
Due to Storm Darragh, Holyhead Port is temporarily closed for urgent repairs and is expected to reopen after January 15, 2025.
HMRC has implemented contingency measures to mitigate disruptions. Please use the following alternative routes via the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS):
Imports from Ireland to GB:
Exports from GB to Ireland:
No penalties will apply for using these alternative routes. Further updates regarding the port’s reopening will be provided in January.
ICS2 Compliance - Effective November 13, 2024
From November 13, 2024, Sandford Freight will comply with ICS2 regulations for customs declarations.
To avoid delays or container rollovers, it is crucial to provide complete Shipping Instructions (SI), including the following mandatory ICS2 data:
Without this information, we cannot submit the ENS (Entry Summary Declaration) or issue draft Bills of Lading.
Thank you for your cooperation during this period. Should you have any questions or require assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
INSURANCE
We are pleased to introduce our collaboration with Breeze, aimed at elevating our insurance services for our valued customers.
Why Insure?
To protect against unexpected losses and extreme weather conditions. To ensure all cargo is covered.
“All Risk” cargo coverage
We provide full coverage flexibility, allowing you to cancel your policy at any point before the arrival date
CROSS TRADE SHIPPING
We offer cross trade shipping (triangular trade), where goods are shipped directly from the seller’s country to the buyer’s country with a third party acting as an intermediary. This service provides cost savings, efficient logistics, and access to hard-to-reach markets. While it comes with some complexities, such as potential delays and paperwork, our extensive global network ensures smooth and efficient coordination every step of the way.
Get in touch today at quotes@sanfordfreight.co.uk to discover how our cross trade shipping solutions can simplify your international transactions!
Contact details
If you would like further information on any of these topics, please contact us on:
+44 1784 254900