The RHA is in the running for a prestigious industry award for its customs brokerage service

The Association launched the brokerage service at the end of last year to help international traders with the paperwork they need to do after the UK left the EU.

This recognition has come from the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards which are now in their seventh year. They are the leading regional maritime awards in the UK, celebrating the very best of the UK's maritime industry.

The nomination for the International Trade Award comes as the RHA launches its transit service, allowing customers to use the RHA customs guarantee or for RHA agents to facilitate the movement of goods using their own guarantee.

The awards theme for the 2021 is ‘Building Back Better’, reflecting Government strategy for growth and recognising the outstanding work of the maritime and logistics industry during the pandemic.

Commenting, RHA Chief Executive, Richard Burnett said: “2020 was, without doubt, the most challenging year the logistics industry has ever experienced. Not just because of Covid but because the end of 2020 saw the end of the Brexit transition period.”

“We knew that the haulage and logistics sector needed guidance as to the new processes and last October our extensive industry survey established that over 63% of operators were unprepared for the customs changes.”

But we as an industry have an exceptional ability to adapt and on 1 January 2021, we launched the RHA Customs Brokerage. The expertise of our policy department combined with our extensive experience of the many customs procedures ensures that our brokerage service is a best practice and industry-leading customs solution. I am particularly pleased that after only six months in operation it has been shortlisted for such a prestigious award.

The final word goes to RHA head of international transport, John Lucy.

“The RHA Customs Brokerage is a start-up venture that utilises a local team who have developed their knowledge and competence at a remarkable rate to keep Britain trading and freight flowing during these unprecedented times.

“The very fact that after only six months we are finalists in these national awards is testament to the efforts made by the brokerage team and the wider support from the RHA to support the transport and logistics sector.”

Businesses can vote for the RHA here: https://mmia2021.awardsplatform.com/

The awards will take place in Liverpool on 17 September.

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