The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has warned in its new guide that traders will have to deal with a glut of customs and security regulations.

The Customs and Security Environment for UK International Traders (the Guide) is aimed at supply chain managers, logistics buyers and those responsible for trading procedures.

Christopher Snelling, the FTA’s head of global supply chain policy, said: “The guide will explain how the customs and security system works and how policy is made. Supply chain managers will gain a deeper understanding of how international organisations set standards and how these standards will affect them on a practical level.

“Perhaps more importantly, the guide will also flag up things that traders should be aware of now to prevent fines and delay caused by non-compliance.”

The guide offers best practice advice to help cope with key EU initiatives, such as changes to the import and export control systems. Advice is not limited to traders just within the EU, though, and also covers US customs and security regulations which are more onerous, including such measures as total container scanning.

“Many regulatory changes are coming up in 2009 that importers and exporters need to get a grip of. Traders, even those who do not operate vehicles and outsource to third-party logistics providers, need to be aware of the extra information they will have to provide and further limitations made on their supply chain,” Snelling concluded.

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