June has been a month of significant developments in the freight and logistics world. From major breakthroughs in UK-EU trade relations to ongoing challenges in global shipping routes, we’ve been closely monitoring how these changes impact your business.
Our latest monthly update highlights the key developments that matter most to your shipments, costs, and operational planning. We’ve distilled the complex regulatory changes and market shifts into actionable insights to help you stay ahead.
Key Developments Affecting Your Shipments
EU Trade Breakthrough
The UK has scrapped border checks on fruit and vegetable imports from the European Union, delivering immediate cost savings and faster clearance times for food importers. Medium-risk products including tomatoes, grapes, plums, cherries, peaches, and peppers will no longer face import checks or associated fees until January 31, 2027, while broader UK-EU trade negotiations continue.
US-UK Trade Agreement Implementation
Key elements of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal are now taking effect. The automotive sector benefits from a new quota allowing 100,000 UK vehicles annually at 10% tariff (down from 27.5%), giving UK manufacturers a significant competitive advantage over EU rivals who still face the full tariff. The agriculture sector gains a 13,000-tonne duty-free quota for US beef imports, reducing input costs for UK food manufacturers while maintaining SPS standards that protect continued EU market access. UK aerospace companies now have clear cost advantages over competitors from countries still facing higher tariffs, particularly beneficial for smaller suppliers bidding on US contracts.
These benefits require genuine UK origin, not just shipping from the UK. Companies should audit their supply chains now to ensure they can demonstrate UK origin, as US customs enforcement is becoming increasingly stringent.
Critical deadline: The 90-day tariff pause ends July 9th, when tariffs of 11-50% will be reinstated unless formal agreements are in place. President Trump has threatened 50% tariffs on the EU (versus 20%) from July 9th if no deal is reached, with EU retaliation planned for July 14th. Negotiations continue over the Digital Markets Act and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, with potential compromises involving sector-specific exemptions for key industries.
We’ll monitor these developments and keep you updated on changes affecting your shipments.
Service Disruptions & Restorations
✈️ Middle East Operations
The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, coupled with US military intervention, has continued to disrupt global air cargo operations throughout June. While a ceasefire was announced late in the month, most Western carriers remain cautious about overflying Iranian airspace. Qatar Airways has announced a phased resumption of services to the region, with flights to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan restarting from July 1st, though Iran operations remain suspended.
The ripple effects extend beyond the immediate conflict zone, with carriers like Emirates, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines cancelling or rerouting flights to major hubs including Dubai and Doha. These diversions continue to add both time and cost to cargo operations, particularly affecting shorter routes between Central Asia and the Middle East that previously transited Iranian airspace.
We are working closely with our partners to minimise impact on your shipments and will provide updates as the situation develops.
Regulatory Updates
🐄 Animal Health Restrictions
Several new animal health outbreaks have resulted in import restrictions that directly impact food trade. Italy confirmed an outbreak of lumpy skin disease on June 21, leading to the immediate suspension of various bovine products including live animals, germplasm, offal, raw milk, and hides from Italian sources. Similarly, Romania confirmed outbreaks of both sheep pox and goat pox on June 17, resulting in restrictions on live sheep and goat imports along with fresh skins and hides.
On a more positive note, the UK has lifted foot and mouth disease restrictions on Austria following a thorough assessment, allowing affected commodity exports to resume provided all other import conditions are met. This demonstrates the dynamic nature of animal health controls and the importance of staying current with changing restrictions.
🚨 Enhanced Border Controls
Enhanced controls remain in place for foot and mouth disease-susceptible products from Hungary, Slovakia, and Eswatini. These heightened measures are creating processing delays at borders, particularly where documentation inconsistencies occur. Common issues include incorrect CHED reference numbers in customs declarations, misaligned commodity codes, and non-English characters in IPAFFS submissions. The Animal and Plant Health Agency strongly recommends ensuring all documentation is accurate and consistent across systems to minimise delays.
Looking Ahead
New UK Trade Strategy Launched
The government unveiled its comprehensive new Trade Strategy on June 27, marking what officials describe as a reset in the UK’s approach to international trade. The strategy introduces the Ricardo Fund, designed to unlock £5 billion worth of opportunities for UK exporters by tackling complex regulatory issues and removing obstacles for British businesses selling abroad. UK Export Finance capacity has been expanded to £80 billion, providing enhanced support for exporters seeking financing for international transactions.
The strategy emphasises building deeper cooperation with emerging markets including Brazil, the Philippines, and Mexico, while consolidating recent trade agreements with the US, EU, and India. A particular focus on mutual recognition of qualifications aims to strengthen the UK’s position as the world’s second-largest services exporter.
How We Can Help
We have the expertise and global network to streamline your logistics, reduce costs, and simplify customs compliance.
As we move into July, we remain dedicated to providing you with reliable, cost-effective logistics solutions tailored to your business needs. Our team continuously monitors market developments to help you navigate disruptions and capitalise on opportunities in the coming months.
Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.
Please contact us with any questions about these updates or for assistance with your freight requirements.
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