News & Insights

Our alerts, news and guides embrace all transport modes and explore global developments across all aspects of the supply chain, to keep you informed and guide decision making.

UK Budget 2025: Strategic Implications for Logistics, Supply Chain & Customs

The UK’s 2025 Budget introduces a mix of fiscal measures, infrastructure commitments, and regulatory changes that will reshape logistics, supply chain operations, and customs frameworks for years to come. While significant investment in transport and energy infrastructure offers long-term op... Read more

Ex-Asia Ocean Spot Rates Surge as Carriers Withdraw Capacity

Asia–Europe ocean freight markets have tightened significantly through Q4, with carriers implementing repeated rate increases and withdrawing substantial capacity from key services. Since early October, freight-all-kinds (FAK) levels have been raised at roughly fortnightly intervals, pushing... Read more

Metro Shortlisted for Five Major Industry Awards

Metro has secured five national award nominations across the Logistics UK Awards and the BIFA Freight Service Awards, reflecting our continued investment in people, innovation and high-quality logistics solutions. These short-listings highlight the strength and breadth of capability across Met... Read more

US Importers Face Mounting Fines as Packaging Contamination Checks Increase

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is intensifying inspections on wood packaging materials (WPM), issuing more than 87,000 Agriculture Emergency Action Notifications (EANs) in the last fiscal year. Heightened enforcement reflects growing concern over pest-contaminated pallets, crates and d... Read more

Belgium’s National Strike Could Trigger Congestion Across Europe’s Port Network

A three-day national stoppage across Belgium’s rail, transport and public sectors this week is set to disrupt freight flows through Antwerp and the wider Benelux logistics corridor, adding fresh strain to a European port network already battling congestion and capacity limitations. With rail... Read more

Rising Freight Crime Sparks Industry, Government and Police Action

Road haulage operators are on high alert as criminal activity peaks during the dark winter months, with investigations revealing how organised gangs are posing as legitimate operators, buying haulage companies, and infiltrating supply chains to steal trailer loads. The scale of the threat is e... Read more

Metro attains Government-backed Cyber Essentials certification

Metro has achieved Cyber Essentials certification, the UK Government-backed baseline for protecting organisations against the most common cyber threats. Achieving Cyber Essentials builds on our ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification awarded in July, reinforcing a layered, standards-led approach to i... Read more

Progress and Paralysis in US Trade Policy

After weeks and months of economic tension and political uncertainty, a flurry of developments in early November have reshaped the outlook for US trade and logistics. From tariff rollbacks to port fee suspensions, and a potential landmark Supreme Court ruling and continuing government shutdown... Read more

France Ends Regime 42: What It Means for Exporters and Why You Should Attend Metro’s December Customs Webinar

France will withdraw Regime 42 from 1 January 2026, removing the VAT simplification that currently allows goods to enter France without import VAT when they are destined for another EU member state. The ending of Regime 42 has attracted little publicity, but it will directly affect UK exporter... Read more

Metro Global USA: Building Momentum in a Key Market

Metro has taken a major step forward in its international growth strategy with the successful establishment and rapid expansion of Metro Global USA. The operation now spans more than 10 offices across key logistics hubs, including New York, Chicago, and Dallas, strengthening Metro’s local pr... Read more

Port Labour Disputes Ease as Carriers Adjust Capacity

North European ports are recovering from a turbulent October marked by strikes, slowdowns, and strategic capacity withdrawals that continue to test vessel schedule reliability across major trade lanes. In Rotterdam, port operations normalised following the end of a strike on 17 October, after ... Read more

Continued Airfreight Growth Amid Emerging Challenges

Global air freight markets have continued to post positive year-on-year growth through September and October, reinforced by stronger than anticipated build up to peak season volumes, but recent indicators point to a moderating pace and emerging challenges that merit close attention. While rece... Read more