Freight forwarders increasingly concerned about new levies 

Freight forwarders remain extremely concerned about the new levy for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)

The unease has prompted the British International Freight Organisation (BIFA) to publish additional guidelines for companies. The organisation claimed it is receiving a considerable amount of queries from firms about the new charges. 

The tax will affect all lorries weighing 12 tonnes or more that use the UK road network. It is being introduced by the new HGV Road User Levy Act 2013 and will be payable alongside vehicle excise duty.

Lorries registered outside of the UK will have to pay the charge before  being allowed entry to the country. The move has caused many overseas forwarders to contact BIFA for information, prompting them to issue these new guidelines.

Peter Quantrill, director general at the organisation, commented that the information outlines the basics of the time-based levy, which "ensures for the first time foreign HGVs using the UK road network will contribute to the cost of maintaining it".

The new tax will come into force in April 1st.