Future Forwarding UK

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

The latest chapter in U.S.-China trade relations is unfolding — and it's quieter than many expected.

China has launched two formal counter-probes into U.S. trade practices, responding to Section 301 investigations the U.S. initiated earlier this month across 16 trading partners. The investigations target supply chain disruption and green energy trade, with a six-month timeline and the possibility of extension.

What's significant for businesses operating across both the U.S. and UK markets is the tone of this moment. Both governments are raising concerns through proper diplomatic and legal channels — bilateral talks in Paris, WTO meetings in Cameroon, and a planned presidential visit to Beijing in mid-May. This is managed friction, not a trade war.

That said, the frameworks being established now — around technology exports, industrial capacity, and green energy products — could have real implications for global supply chains well into 2027.

Our latest thought leadership piece examines what's driving these investigations, what each probe covers, and what organisations with cross-border exposure should be watching.

🔗 https://okt.to/Z1x0NI

We’re pleased to share that our Scotland branch is moving to a new location. This move reflects how our operations in the region are developing, allowing us to support customers more effectively and continue delivering the reliable service you expect.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down IEEPA-based tariffs has significant implications for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. For UK companies importing goods into the United States, this ruling may open the door to meaningful duty refunds — but the process is neither automatic nor simple.

CBP has acknowledged it cannot yet comply with court orders to begin issuing refunds, proposing a 45-day timeline to build out the necessary infrastructure. In the meantime, importers need to be taking action: enrolling in the ACE portal, pulling entry data, building refund calculations, and tracking liquidation dates against the 180-day Protest filing deadline.

The broader tariff landscape also remains complex, with Section 232, Section 301, and the new Section 122 surcharge all still in effect.

Our latest thought leadership piece, informed in part by analysis from BDO USA, walks through the key steps businesses should be taking right now.

🔗 https://okt.to/W30o5K

The rules on US-China trade just changed — and the clock is already ticking.

Last week's Supreme Court ruling struck down two significant tariffs on Chinese goods. Washington moved quickly, replacing them with a new surcharge set to expire in 150 days. A sixth round of trade talks is now expected shortly.

For UK businesses with transatlantic supply chains or exposure to US-China trade flows, this isn't a story to monitor from a distance. It's a moment to revisit your strategy.

Our latest thinking is now live: https://okt.to/sR30C1

Middle East tensions are now impacting global freight networks.

Airspace restrictions, vessel disruptions, and the reported closure of the Strait of Hormuz are creating delays, rerouting, and cost pressure across both air and ocean shipments.

If your cargo moves between Asia, Europe, or the Gulf region, this is worth your attention.

Read the full operational update here:
https://www.futureforwarding.com/middle-east-conflict-ongoing-impact-on-global-freight-and-supply-chains/

If you have any concerns about your current or upcoming shipments, contact us directly. Our team is ready to support you.

Freight Disruption from Middle East Tensions Freight disruption is causing delays and reroutes in international supply chains. Learn how tensions affect global logistics.