Freight forwarders get updated Standard Trading Conditions

LONDON: A new edition of the British International Freight Association’s (BIFA) Standard Trading Conditions (STC) has been launched, replacing the previous version revised in 2021.

The latest edition has been produced as a consequence of ongoing changes in the UK’s trading procedures, which has seen a growth in customs-related activities. 

Furthermore, increased turbulence in global trade has increased the risks BIFA’s corporate members face in enacting their business.

A guiding principle of the review was to ensure that the STC continued to provide a fair and balanced contract between its Members and their customers. Therefore, the text of the 2025 edition of the STC was vigorously scrutinised against the Unfair Contracts Act 1977 to ensure legal compliance.

The Association wanted to modernise the language in the hopes that this will improve clarity via use of easier to understand language; as well as reduce disputes between members and their customers.

Steve Parker, director general of BIFA says: “Over time, in the same ways laws must change, so do contractual rights and obligations that flow from these changes. Therefore, it is essential to review any set of industry terms against changes in legislation and industry practice.

“The review proved a rather bigger project than expected and has led to a significant revision and expansion of the STC, which has now been completed.

“The importance of BIFA members ensuring that their incorporation of the BIFA STC into their contracts with their customers is effective cannot be stressed enough.”

The new STC, which can be viewed on the BIFA website, can be used by members from the 31st December 2025, but BIFA felt it was important to give all within the industry reasonable time to familiarise themselves with the new set of conditions.

For members, BIFA is arranging two webinars about the 2025 edition of the STC, which will take place on the 14th and 23rd October, outlining the key changes between the 2021 and the 2025 editions of the STC.