The 2025 BIFA Freight Service Awards recognised top UK freight forwarders across 11 categories, highlighting achievements in customs compliance, sustainability, air freight, and talent development.

The UK freight forwarding industry gathered at The Brewery in London this week for the 2025 BIFA Freight Service Awards, celebrating operational excellence, innovation, and rising talent across the sector. The event was hosted by broadcaster and adventurer Steve Backshall.

The newly introduced Customs Compliance Services category, sponsored by CNS, acknowledged the sector’s growing regulatory burden. The winner, ALS Customs Services Ltd, was recognised for its “innovative use of technology and investment in staff,” with judges noting its role in piloting new customs processes with HMRC and the EU Commission.

In sustainability, Freight Systems Express (Wales) Ltd was honoured for integrating emissions reporting and electric vehicles into client operations, enabling what judges called “detailed and actionable visual reports” to support corporate ESG targets.

JCS Livestock Ltd won Air Freight Forwarder of the Year for coordinating complex, multi-leg animal transport while maintaining strict welfare and regulatory standards. The company was praised for “engineering flying crates” and working with veterinary teams and local authorities to ensure compliance and safety throughout the process.

Carousel Logistics Ltd received the Extra Mile award for tailored work in the automotive sector, while IFE Global Logistics Ltd was named winner in the Value Added Services category for its ability to enhance profitability through bespoke fulfilment and delivery solutions.

Staff training and retention remained a key theme across multiple categories. Unsworth UK was awarded Staff Development for its structured training and career progression pathways, which judges said demonstrated “clear staff satisfaction and strong retention rates.”

Two individual awards captured the industry’s focus on nurturing the next generation. Josh Harbottle of cargo-partner won Young Freight Forwarder of the Year, while Veronika Litterova of Avocet Clearance Ltd took home the Apprentice of the Year title.

2025 BIFA Award winners:

• Staff Development
  Unsworth UK

• Sustainable Logistics & the Environment
  Freight Systems Express (Wales) Ltd

• Project Forwarding
  DFDS Logistics Ltd

• Customs Compliance Services
  ALS Customs Services Ltd

• Extra Mile
  Carousel Logistics Ltd

• Air Freight Forwarder of the Year
  JCS Livestock Ltd

• Value Added Services
  IFE Global Logistics Ltd

• Sea Freight Forwarder of the Year
  Denholm Good Logistics

• European Logistics Forwarder of the Year
  Simpex Express Ltd

• Young Freight Forwarder of the Year
  Josh Harbottle, cargo-partner

• Apprentice of the Year
  Veronika Litterova, Avocet Clearance Ltd

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