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IEC News

Happy Christmas & A Prosperous New Year

Dear Customer

At the beginning of 2022 it looked like we had the possibility of a “normal” year ahead of us. When war broke out in February on the continent of Europe, for the first time in 80 years, it created another crisis that we neither wanted nor needed, particularly for the innocent people of Ukraine. This in itself created a whole new scenario of problems. Through the hard work of our staff, customers, partners, and shareholders, in excess of €25,000 was raised for transporting much needed goods to Poland in an effort to help the stricken peoples of Ukraine. I would like to pay particular thanks to all who donated, including those who gave their time to sort, load, and despatch these items.  

Closer to home, it has been a strange time in that it is difficult to measure where business sits and what normal trading volumes are. Thankfully, despite an overall downturn in the market, we believe that the year will end on a par with 2021. 

In terms of 2023, we are moving to the company’s new 30,000 sq ft facility in Little Island in Cork, which will help underpin the already excellent service IFG provides to its customers in Cork. 

As in previous years, we have decided that in lieu of sending cards and gifts, we will put the funds to better use to support the many families and individuals in Ireland, who for whatever reason, have fallen into difficult times and are in need of our support. On your behalf we have made donations to each of the following who provide extraordinary services both locally and nationally :  St Vincent de Paul, Alone, Cork Penny Dinners, and Capuchin Day Centre.

On behalf all of us in Independent Freight Group, we wish you all a very happy Christmas, a prosperous New Year, that you stay safe in travels and health, and that you enjoy your Christmas break.

Kind regards,

Eamon Sullivan
Group Chief Executive



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IEC News

URGENT COLLECTIONS FOR UKRAINE

Due to the invasion of Ukraine, and the thousands of refugees it has created, there is a humanitarian crisis developing on the Ukrainian border.  In an effort to help, Hendrick European, Virginia Transport, twenty members of The Pallet Network Ireland, and other Irish hauliers are arranging for the collection of essential goods to be shipped from Ireland to a distribution centre (Hrubieszowski Ośrodek Sportu i Rekreacji) in Hrubieszow, a town beside the Ukrainian border in Poland. 

The Pallet Network members (listed below) have added to the existing drop-off points for essential supplies.  I’ve added the list of goods and drop off points as a PDF to the post as it may be useful.

Items should be packed in banana boxes if possible to help with stacking/storage.
A list of contents in English & Polish (if possible) should be taped to the boxes so they can be identified and allocated as quickly as possible on arrival.

FOOD

  • Tea and coffee (non-grained)
  • Cans with an opener (soups, beans, stews, meatballs – ready meals in a tin)
  • Food (porridge, rice, pasta, cereal, sugar)
  • Soups (in packs dry)
  • Baby food (formula milk in powder, baby food in jars, and in pouches)
  • Sweets (chocolate, bars) all types of gluten-free and dairy.
  • Food for pets – any type and for all our furry friends
  • Disposable cutlery and plates, kitchen towels
  • Conserves/preserves
  • Energy bars

CLOTHING / BEDDING

  • Sleeping bags, blankets, sleeping mat, thermal blankets
  • Napkins every sizes
  • Baby clothes any ages – clean and washed please
  • New ladies, men and kids underwear all sizes
  • Scarves, coats, gloves, pullovers/sweaters
  • Warm socks

HYGIENE / MEDICAL

  • Personal hygiene products (hair shampoo, bath gel, soap, deodorants, toothpaste, and toothbrushes).  NB: if sending shampoos/liquids, please wrap in clingfilm or put in plastic sealed containers.
  • Dressings (bandages, sterilized gauze, disinfectants, plasters, wipes, sanitary items, hygienic females pads, tampons)
  • Paracetomol, ibuprofen
  • Milton tablets or equivalent

OTHER

  • Toys for children, stuffed and cuddly – have to be clean and complete please  
  • Notebooks, blocks, crayons, colouring books.
  • Batteries / Flashlights
  • Powerbanks & cables
  • Backpacks

In addition to the five collection points announced already :

  1. Merris Engineering, Milltown, Co Galway, H54 DH28
  2. A Transport, Athy, Co Kildare, R14 H593
  3. Naas Truck Wash, Naas – Mike Moran is taking collections.
  4. JS Ryan Freight, Castletown, Co Laois, R32 KA4C
  5. Hendrick European, Whitestown, Co Dublin, A45 ED37.  Simon 0877563248

We’re pleased to expand on that with TPN Ireland members, and add the following collection points :

  1. Wexford, DHT Transport, Old Dublin Road, Enniscorthy, Ph 00353 539236809, Contact Hazel
  2. Waterford, Storeall Logistics, Marine Point, Belview Port, Ph 00353 51 831210, Contact Eddie
  3. Cork, TPN, Kilburry Enterprise Centre, Dublin Hill, Cork City, Ph 00353 21 422 1354, Contact Donal
  4. Cork North, K&L Cargo, Mountleader Ind Est, Millstreet, Ph 00353 29 70163, Contact Gordon
  5. Kerry, Garyowen Transport, Castletoen, Co Kerry, Ph 00353 66 7128666, Contact Jamie
  6. Limerick, Abhann Logistics, Amhann Road, Raheen Ind Est, Limerick, Ph 00353 61309026, Contact Gertrude/ Mike
  7. Tipperary South, Francis Ely Transport, Ahnid, Thurles, Ph 00353 50445404, Contact Majella/ Francis
  8. Clare, Eoin Gavin Transport, Woodpark co Clare, Ph 00353 61 713486, Contact Eoin
  9. Galway, Langan Couriers, Oranmore Business Park, Oranmore, Ph 00353 9179 0009, Contact Rob
  10. Mayo, East West Express, Ballymore Road, Charlestown, Ph 00353 94 925 4502, Contact Aine
  11. Sligo/ Leitrim, Novapoint, Aughamore Business park, Sligo, Ph 00353 71 9304 929, Contact Sean
  12. Donegal, Donegal Groupage, Carrickmore, St Johnstone, Donegal, Ph 00353 749148685, Contact Jolene
  13. Derry/ Antrim, AM Transport, Unit 21, Port of Larne Business Park, Larne, Ph 00 44 2828262190, Contact Alex
  14. Fermanagh/ Tyrone, Liam Connolly Roadfreight, 310 Gola Road, Lisnaskea, 00 44 4867722998, Contact Andrew
  15. Armagh/ Down, Allen Logistics, 64A. Old Kilmore Road, Moira, Ph 00353 4892 611520, Contact James
  16. Cavan/ Monaghan, Clontibret Transport, Castleblayney, Monaghan, Contact Trevor
  17. Meath/ Louth, Breffni Couriers, Unit 9, Tinure Business Park, Monasterboice, Ph 00353 416863350, Contact Finbarr
  18. Longford/ Westmeath, Quinn Transport, Blyry Ind Est, Athlone, Ph 00353906478862, Contact Mark, Katherine
  19. Dublin/ Wicklow, Independent Express Cargo, unit 3 Orion Business Dublin 15, D15 PAA6. Ph 01 821 9999, Contact Kamil
  20. Kildare, Deering Transport, Kildon, Nurney, Ph 00353 45526743, Contact Dave
  21. Carlow, South East Freight, Augha, Bagenalstown, Co Carlow,
    R21 HP60, 059 914 6555, Contact Anne
Categories
IEC News

Covid Update

As of Jan 2nd 2022  it seems that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 is hitting a very large number of people and there is a need for much greater care to reduce the spread of this dangerous virus.

We are very fortunate in IEC to have been able to maintain our full services throughout this epidemic, and we are anxious that this should continue with no service interruption.

We have taken great care with mask-wearing, hand sanitising, and avoiding creating “spreader events” whenever possible.

We also strongly advise everyone to get all possible vaccinations and boosters at the earliest possible opportunity.

Please remember that there are still between five and ten people dying in Ireland every day from the effects of Covid-19.

Please ensure that anyone visiting us complies fully with our Covid-19 safety protocols, and is fully vaccinated.

Avoid shaking hands

Wear (good quality) masks properly

Sanitise hands at every opportunity

Avoid close proximity to others as much as possible

Be fully vaccinated & boosted

Categories
IEC News

Brexit Update – Jan 3rd 2022

It seems Brexit will never be quite “done”. It is certainly set to have ongoing changes on customs regulations and ever-changing stages of implementation throughout 2022.

While the Northern Ireland protocol continues to be an area of dispute between the UK and the EU, there won’t be a definite settled position on customs processes for us.

While there are no customs processes between Ireland North and South, there should not be any freight from the UK mainland destined for the ROI (Republic of Ireland) travelling via Northern Ireland unless full customs clearance is effected when passing through Northern Ireland.

GB shipments coming into the ROI have full and complete processes now in place and these should not have any further changes relating to Brexit.

However this is not the case at UK ports for exports coming from the ROI. All changes to ROI imports are postponed for the moment but may be implemented at short notice anytime.

While the N IRL protocol is still being argued, a different timetable is being applied to imports into GB from the ROI as compared to the rest of the EU.

At different stages throughout 2022 GB plans to start implementing import controls on food and agri products from the EU that involve health and veterinary certs not required up to now.

Bear in mind the below timetable only applies to shipments from the rest of the EU, not ROI, to GB

Extract from Revenue and Customs sited below set out the timetables and some details :

UK Import and Customs Controls due to be introduced on 1 January 2022 have been postponed for goods from Ireland

On 15 December, the UK government announced that they are, “to extend, on a temporary basis, the current arrangements for moving goods from the island of Ireland to Great Britain . . . goods moving from the island of Ireland directly to Great Britain will continue to do so on the basis of the arrangements that apply currently, until further notice; and will not, for now, be affected by the changes being introduced on 1 January for all other inbound goods.”
This means, until further notice, for goods moving from Ireland directly to Great Britain there is:

  • no requirement for pre-notification of SPS products. (It is important to note that only applies for those exporters that are not already subject to pre-notification requirements)
  • no requirement for pre-lodgement of UK customs declarations
  • no requirement for compliance with full UK import controls and
  • no requirement to use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS).

The requirement for compliance with existing requirements for full EU export formalities and use of the PBN for goods moving via RoRo ferry, as well as the existing UK formalities in relation to controlled goods e.g. alcohol, continues and are not changed. “
“ Preparing for the introduction of changes
The postponement of the changes due to take effect on 1 January 2022 is temporary. Irish businesses exporting to the UK are strongly advised to continue to prepare and be ready for the full introduction of UK import and customs controls in 2022. Irish businesses should be mindful that the lead-in time to their commencement once announced, could be quite short.”

Below is an update from HM customs in GB

UK RequirementOriginal Proposed DateRevised Date of Introduction
Full Customs declarations and controls1 January 2022Postponed until further notice for goods moving directly from Ireland to Great Britain. Requirements will apply for UK imports from other EU Member States and for goods transported from EU countries to Ireland via Great Britain either under transit or vi a distribution hub in GB.
Pre-notification of SPS goods
1 October 2021
Postponed until further notice for goods moving directly from Ireland to Great Britain unless it was already in place. Requirements will apply for UK imports from other EU Member States and for goods transported from EU countries to Ireland via Great Britain either under transit or vi a distribution hub in GB
Safety and security declarations on entry to the UK (ENS declarations)1 January 20221 July 2022
Export Health/ Phytosanitary Certificates and physical/identity checks on animal by-products; plant and plant products; meat and meat products; high-risk food not of animal origin1 January 20221 July 2022
Export Health Certificates and physical checks on all dairy products1 January 20221 September 2022
Export Health Certificates and physical checks on all remaining products of animal origin including composite and fish products1 January 2022
1 November 2022
Categories
IEC News

Exciting Developments for Independent Express Cargo

Dear Customer,

There has been exciting developments recently for Independent Express Cargo Ltd as the Company has merged with Connect Logistics. Independent Express Cargo and Connect Logistics have been leading companies in the freight and logistics industry for some years now. This merger will bring positive changes for everyone. It will make the Company stronger and more competitive in the market and the increased resources will ensure we are more capable of providing a quality customer service.

The Connect Logistics name will be reflected on all stationary, invoices, statements etc and will be a trading name of Independent Express Cargo Ltd. We assure you all your records will remain properly maintained, organised and secure.

The Independent Express Cargo team remain as is and continue to be your point of contact for day to day queries and support.

We are looking forward to the numerous benefits from this merger. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call or email. We greatly appreciate your business and continued support.

Kind regards,

Eamon Sullivan

Chief Executive

Independent Express Cargo Ltd / Connect Logistics

Categories
IEC News Service Alert

Covid-19 Notice

Independent Express Cargo is currently open and intends to stay open in the current Covid-19 crisis despite the substantial drop in freight volumes. Transport companies are deemed frontline in the fight against Covid-19, and we are no exception. We have many staff who are operating from home and our phones and emails are being covered as normal.

Our 24-strong, pallet network, TPN is also operating in all locations.
We may experience a slower service to some parts of the country during this period, but the plan and intention is to continue to offer nationwide delivery and collection. Working with our sister network, TPN UK, we are also continuing to offer our standard UK import export service.

If you have any queries please contact any of the following:

  • John Donnelly CS Manager 086 8032266
  • Hugh Burns Sales manager 087 2314347
  • Seamus Mc Gowan MD 087 6468506
  • Customer services Landline 01 8219999

Thank you for your support and cooperation, and we hope that you will all stay safe and healthy in this very difficult and uncertain time.

Yours sincerely,
Seamus Mc Gowan
MD