Future Forwarding UK

Panama Canal draft limits have tightened three times since early July, with a further reduction due on 15 August — and carriers have responded with surcharges of $100 to $320 per TEU on Asia to US East and Gulf Coast cargo.

For UK businesses moving goods into North American markets, or supplying customers who do, this is a landed cost question rather than a headline. Our latest blog sets out what has changed, why draft reductions convert so directly into per-container charges, and the practical steps worth taking before the next round of restrictions.

🔗 https://okt.to/SH1ET4

Celebrating 40 Years at Future Forwarding Company!

Today, we celebrate an incredible milestone as Andrea marks 40 years with Future Forwarding Company.

Back in 1986, Andrea accepted an offer to join Future Forwarding. Looking back at the original offer letter, it's remarkable to think that what started as a new job would become a four-decade journey filled with dedication, commitment, and countless contributions to our business.

Alongside the offer letter, we have a photograph of Andrea from those early days. It's a reminder of how much has changed over the years. The technology, the industry, and the world of freight forwarding have all evolved, yet one thing has remained constant: the people who make our company what it is.

Over the past 40 years, Andrea has been part of some of the biggest changes in logistics, from the days of paper documentation and fax machines to today's digital supply chains and global connectivity. Through it all, Andrea's knowledge, professionalism, and loyalty have been invaluable.

Reaching 40 years with one company is a rare achievement, and it speaks volumes about the relationships we've built and the values we've shared over the decades.

From everyone at Future Forwarding Company, thank you, Andrea Delves, for your hard work, dedication, and the positive impact you've made over the past 40 years. We are proud to celebrate this milestone with you and look forward to the chapters still to come.

Happy 40th work anniversary!

A growing conflict between US and Chinese law is creating serious compliance risk for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic.

The US Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act requires importers to map and document supply chains in detail — including for goods that transit the UK before entering the US market. China's new Regulations 834 and 835 now restrict foreign parties from conducting exactly that kind of investigation inside China.

For UK businesses with US-bound goods sourced from China — particularly in apparel, textiles, electronics, and agricultural products — this is a compliance issue that cannot be deferred. Future Forwarding has set out what the conflict means and what companies should be doing now.

🔗 https://okt.to/dOfB6u

US Customs is tightening data requirements on international mail shipments entering the US, effective 24 July.

Parcels valued at $2,500 or less will now require 10-digit HTS codes, merchandise descriptions, and weight and quantity information — filed by a licensed customs broker or qualifying party.

For UK businesses and postal operators shipping goods into the US, this is a compliance change that needs attention now. If you don't have an existing broker relationship in place on the US side, the time to establish one is before the deadline, not after.

🔗 https://okt.to/ZQ4bad

The US DOJ has filed a formal appeal challenging part of the Court of International Trade's IEEPA tariff refund directive — specifically the order covering finally liquidated entries.

CBP's CAPE portal has issued over $20 billion in refunds to date, but the system cannot yet process finalised entries, and a court hearing on 9 July is adding further pressure on the timeline.

We've outlined what this means for importers on both sides of the Atlantic.

🔗 https://okt.to/YiIrSN

The EU-US trade deal is almost across the line.

Following formal approval by all 27 member states, the European Parliament is expected to give its final sign-off in mid-June. The agreement caps U.S. tariffs on most European goods at 15%, with the EU removing levies on the majority of American imports in return.

For UK businesses trading with the United States — whether directly or through EU supply chains — it's worth understanding how the phased provisions and built-in safeguards may affect your position.

Our latest blog covers the detail. Have a read, and get in touch if you'd like to talk through the implications for your business.

👉 https://okt.to/91tPkF

The EU-US Trade Deal Is Moving Forward — Here's What Importers Need to Know The EU-US trade deal is nearing ratification. Find out what the tariff changes mean for importers and exporters .

Two forces are colliding for importers right now — and neither one is letting up.

Global instability in the Middle East continues to push freight rates and logistics costs higher. At the same time, UK-based businesses are absorbing new national insurance contributions, packaging levies, and an expanding regulatory burden — all landing simultaneously.

The British Retail Consortium is calling on government to act. But smart importers aren't waiting.

If your landed cost calculations haven't been updated recently, now is the time. The businesses managing this environment well are the ones with the clearest picture of what their supply chain is actually costing them.

We're here to help you get that clarity: https://okt.to/fi6bmX

Road Transportation from France to the UK, this wasn’t just another delivery. It was a complex oversized logistics operation that helped bring one of the UK’s largest water slides to Cliff Lakes Aquapark

See how Future Forwarding managed the project from origin to destination

Project Spotlight: Logistics Behind Water Slide Delivery Learn about the remarkable project at Cliff Lakes involving the international transport of a giant water slide.

The British Retail Consortium has put it plainly: retailers are working hard to hold prices down, but they cannot do it alone.

At Future Forwarding, we see this from the supply chain side every day. Shipping costs, energy charges, and logistics pressures are rising — and they are landing on top of domestic challenges including national insurance increases, packaging levies, and new regulatory requirements.

For UK importers, the question is not whether costs are rising. It is how well your business is positioned to manage them.

We work with businesses importing into UK and US markets to ensure their supply chains are as efficient, compliant, and cost-visible as possible. Our latest blog sets out what is driving these pressures — and four practical steps you can take now.

https://okt.to/jBmdPe

The U.S. Department of Labor has launched four free self-assessment tools to help businesses identify and manage labour risk across global supply chains.

For organisations sourcing from international markets, the suite covers a lot of ground — from country-level labour violation data and high-risk goods identification, to structured due diligence frameworks and sub-tier supply chain traceability.

Whilst the tools are aimed at U.S. importers, the underlying issues they address are global. Visibility, accountability, and proactive risk management are increasingly the baseline expectation, not the gold standard.

Our latest blog breaks down what each tool does and where it fits into a broader compliance strategy.

Read more → https://okt.to/UxESlp