Logistics insights from the GCL Team

Last month, our team attended Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2026, held at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via. The event once again confirmed its status as the world’s largest exhibition for professional AV and systems integration, attracting distributors, importers, and manufacturers from across the globe. For us, ISE provides the perfect setting to connect with clients and partners involved in LED technology, display systems, and smart integration products - many of whom source o

For most LED manufacturers and distributors, the core supply chain challenges are already well understood — tight production timelines, multiple suppliers, and pressure to maintain consistent delivery. Disruption tends to occur not because of strategy, but at specific operational points within the movement. Origin coordination and consolidation Where multiple suppliers are involved, coordination at origin is often the first pressure point. Delays typically arise where: collec

The latest BIFA Standard Trading Conditions (STC) 2025 Edition  are now in use across the UK freight forwarding sector. While many of the core principles remain unchanged, several updates clarify responsibilities, processes, and risk allocation between forwarders and their customers. For importers and exporters, understanding how these changes apply in practice helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures shipments move smoothly. Clearer definitions and responsibilities The upda

Over the past few years, global trade has faced repeated disruption - from the Ukraine conflict to ongoing instability in the Red Sea, and more recently tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz. While these events are widely reported, their impact on day-to-day shipping is often less clear. In practice, they continue to affect freight rates, transit times, and reliability across most trade lanes. What’s driving the disruption Since 2022, key global shipping routes have been af

We are monitoring the developing security situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on global transport services. Carrier operational changes may result in reduced capacity, longer transit times and additional costs across certain trade lanes.

As we approach the Chinese New Year, we would like to provide you with important shipping guidance during this holiday period. About the Holidays Firstly, here is a little background info about Chinese New Year; When:  Chinese New Year starts on February 10th 2024, marking the Year of the Dragon (specifically the Wood Dragon). Duration: Chinese citizens enjoy an 8-day public holiday from February 10th to February 17th. Lunar Calendar:  The festival's date varies, falling bet

As a Freight Forwarder & Customs Agent we are increasingly being asked by HMRC to provide evidence that we hold written instruction on file from the importer/exporter to show we have been appointed as a Direct Customs Agent. Therefore, recently, we have been asking companies to complete and sign a new form instructing GCL Logistics Ltd as Direct Customs Agent and incorporating BIFA terms of trading under which we operate. This request has raised a few questions with some cu

As specialists in the LED sector, the GCL team, always go to great lengths to stay informed of the trends, challenges and new developments that occur in this fast moving and innovative sector. One of the ways we do this is through our attendance at the leading industry events. The Covid pandemic made this that bit harder with a complete shutdown of all exhibitions across the globe. As the world slowly opened up in 2022, many of the sector’s exhibitions resumed, but with a gre

As demand for containers rocketed as the world came out of the Covid-19 pandemic, freight rates followed suit. Now, as demand decreases,...

Industry experts estimate that over half of goods transported around the globe are uninsured. One of the biggest misconceptions amongst cargo owners is they don’t need to purchase cargo insurance when using a freight forwarder. The primary reason for cargo owners refraining from buying cargo insurance, sometimes referred to as marine insurance, is the assumption that by using a freight forwarder, the cargo is automatically insured. Whilst the freight forwarder will have insur

While the rest of the world is living with Covid-19, the world’s largest economy, China, is still pursuing a strict, zero-Covid policy. Despite this, as November draws to a close, China has seen its first Covid-19-related deaths in six months. With much of the world asking China to review its current policy because of the disruption to global supply chains and the knock-on impact of people’s lives around the world, President Xi Jingping currently seems intent on maintaining a