This guidance has become increasingly important due to the amount of products being manufactured overseas and then being imported into the UK.

Product recalls happen quite frequently due to the items failing basic safety testing. Thousands of these items are being seized at the time of customs entry. as a result.

Trading Standards have been liaising with HMRC and other departments to monitor the number of products which breach product safety legislation. For the freight forwarder/customs agent, the most visible and frequent manifestation of their intervention is when CHIEF allocates a Route 1S routing to the consignment. 

Last month, BIFA shared this news article reminding forwarders on their liabilities when it comes to product safety. (link opens in new window). This guidance was provided by Trading Standards. 

Updated guidance for the importing of electricals and eScooters is now available. BIFA urges Members to download and distribute the attached posters:

Importing of Electricals

• English version: To any electrical product importers whose goods they handle 
• Chinese version: To send to their overseas agents (Where applicable)

Importing of eScooters

• English Version: To any eScooter importers whose goods they handle 
• Chinese Version: To send to their overseas agents (Where applicable)

BIFA Members should be aware that where they import goods on DDP terms and there is no importer of record established in the UK they assume certain legal responsibilities with regards to product safety. 

For instance, where the Member delivers goods directly to the consumer (end user) they could be regarded as the distributor and if a fault is found with the product then the freight forwarder, they would be the party responsible for recalling the product.

Trading Standards will be reviewing other types of goods where there are specific concerns relating to product safety, so please checking BIFA.org regularly for further updates.