E-commerce strengthens as rules for EU purchase returns change

Recent news has revealed that as of June 13th, new rules regarding consumer rights will be launched across the European Union, offering online shoppers a longer period for cancelling an online purchase. The new rule is set to provide even bigger business for postal operators and parcel carriers throughout Europe.

The new ruling is due to take place as of June 13th
throughout Europe

The new ruling will enable consumers with the right to cancel their order within 14 calendar days from the day the purchase received, including the opportunity to send it back. The new "cooling off" period is an extension of the original seven days. Following the change of rules, retailers will now be expected to provide a refund within 14 days of the order's cancellation, in additional to the refund of any shipping charges paid for as part of the order.

However, the new ruling will not apply to tickets or hotel bookings, in addition to those companies that provide regular food and beverage deliveries, such as supermarkets.

Additionally to the new return period of 14 days, consumers will also have the right to a a full year to decide if they are to keep their purchase if the retailer does not inform them correctly and clearly of their rights to return.

Business manager at Itella, the Finnish postal company, Anders Falck, has said: "An online store should make it clear whether returning is subject to a charge or not, and how it is done in practice."

Croatia becomes 28th member of European Union

A decade after its initial application for membership, Croatia becomes the 28th member of the European Union today. According to EU treaties, membership of the European Union is open to any European state which respects and promotes the values outlined in Article 2, namely "respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities". Croatia's accession only two decades after the ethnic wars emanating from the breakup of the former Yugosalvia is a testimony to how far the country has come. 

Flags of the European Union and Croatia at the Ministry of Foreign affairs

and European Integration, Zagreb (Bogdan Giusca: 2007)

According to Europa, the European Union's website, one of the most visible and positive effects of Croatia's accession will be the end of customs controls at internal EU borders. As well as facilitating freedom of movement between Croatia and its EU neighbours Hungary and Slovenia, this also has implications for intra-European trade. 

Wine-producers in Croatia have expressed concerns that the abolition of tariffs will cause cheap European wine to flood into the country and threaten their industry, but it seems that most Croatians agree that the economic benefits of accession outweigh such concerns: ease of access to EU markets is a cause for optimism. 

In an interview the the BBC, Ranko Milik, an uban development consultant, said "There are reasons both pro and contra this decision but I believe that in some way that the EU is the destiny of all countries in Europe." While the streets of the Union may not be paved with gold, most commentators agree that the chief benefits of EU accession for Croatia are economic. 

And it's not only Croatia itself that will benefit from the facilitation of trade enabled by EU membership: "Emerging Europe" - a recently published report produced by the council of British Chambers of Commerce in Europe in association with UK Trade and Investment - outlines the opportunities for British businesses in light of Croatia's accession. There is £1.8 billion in the 2012-14 EU budget set aside for Croatia which aims primarily to promote the keys sectors of energy and infrastructure, ports and marine, business services and tourism and leisure. 

Exporting to Croatia will now be made easier due to the abolition of customs clearance procedures. You can compare prices for exporting to Croatia via the Transglobal Express website. 

TNT Express branches out to Lebanon for more customer growth

TNT Express has partnered up with Masri Money Express MME, a service provider for well-known financial services such as MoneyGram in an effort to expand its parcel services in Lebanon.

“We are very keen to offer the best delivery solutions for our retail customers, and we are convinced that TNT Express is the perfect match with their logistical industry expertise”, said Mohammed Al Masri, general manager at Masri Money Expresss MME.

The courier company hopes that its new business partnership will result in better access to retail for its express courier services. Furthermore, TNT Express aims at growing its customer basis in Lebanon.

“We will focus on strengthening our service offering by being present throughout MME branches in Lebanon”, explained Roger Haddard, country manager for TNT Express Lebanon. “We are continuously looking to provide TNT services to the B2C sector. Our commitment is to have convenient express courier to our customer across the country.”

Source: Post & Parcel / TNT Express

UPS - TNT Express mega deal in danger?

The EU Commission, which currently reviews UPS' proposal to buy TNT Express N.L.,  recently published a Statement of Objections (SO).

As the final date in January 2013 comes closer, the EU Commission now announces concerns about maintaining a fair competition amongst Europe's logistics companies. Specific details have not been revealed yet.

However, UPS and TNT Express published a joint press release stating the the received Statement of Objections was "a normal step in a second phase merger procedure".

Moreover, both companies believe that competition amongst European courier companies will be maintained, if not improved. According to TNT Express and UPS, the industry may even get a step closer to the European objective of having a "Digital Single Market". Both, customers and consumer will benefit from an extensive service range, timings and service reliability.

UPS and TNT Express have promised to respond to the SO within the next two weeks.

Source: UPS / TNT Express

EU Commission resumes its investigations into UPS – TNT Express merger

Yesterday, the EU Commission decided to resume its investigation into the merger of TNT Express NV. and its U.S. competitor UPS.

Image c/o bloomberg.com

An official statement on the Commission’s website confirmed that investigations had resumed on 14^th August after a week’s suspension on the grounds of the participating parties' inability to meet the submission deadline.

Now, a new provisional deadline has been set as 20^th December 2012.

A day before the decision was made, UPS published a statement declaring its intention to apply for a deadline extension in order to get approval for the proposed offer of EUR 9.50 per share.

Both companies remain confident about the 5.2-billion-Euro acquisition which they hope to close by the end of this year.

Sources: PostandParcel.info, MarketWatch.com

UPS COO encourages Canadians to reach out to new global trade partners

Image c/o Microsoft

David Abney, Chief Operating Officer of the global courier services provider UPS, recently called on Canadian business and government leaders “to think anew” in an effort to boost the economic growth and trade volume of Canadian markets:

„Canadians... are ready and eager to compete in a global economy with your eyes fixed far beyond your traditional partners in the States. […] It’s good to be north of the border again where the business environment is upbeat”.

Amongst various topics, Abney also addressed the emergence of a new consumer class such as the middle class in “up-and-coming parts of the world”. He stressed the importance of new economic rules which ought to be adapted to the changing consumer behaviour and expectations.

“If you want to grow your business in the future, you’ll need to reach out and attract these new customers”, said Abney.

According to the UPS COO, this new way of thinking and adapting to future economies would hugely benefit Canadian business owners. In fact, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently published figures depicting the unstoppable growth of newly emerging business which will be nearly four times greater this year compared with that of other, more advanced economies. 

In order to secure the future of Canada’s economy, the government is currently reaching out to South and Central America as well as to Europe for six new trade agreements. By utilising Transpacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, the Canadian government plans to update its trade rules and interactions with South and Central America. Moreover, free trade agreements would also be negotiated with Japan, the EU, South Korea, Singapore and India at the moment.

If you are looking for a strong, reliable partner to import or export goods to / from Canada, visit Transglobal Premium.co.uk.

Sources: UPS, Transglobal Express

New air cargo security pact between Europe and USA announced

The Association of European Airlines (AAE) recently confirmed plans for an EU-US air cargo security pact. The new agreement is supposed to simplify the transatlantic transport of air cargo shipments.

Before the agreement, both, the EU and USA, obtained two individual sets of guidelines, which caused problems amongst many European airlines shipping air cargo to the USA as Margreet Lommerts, Manager for Security and Cargo at AEA, explained:

“From today, the US Transport Security Administration (TSA) and the European Commission will recognise each other’s air cargo security measures as equal to their own. This will eliminate duplication, cut equipment costs and reduce the administrative burden for our member airlines.”

During the last few months, the USA as well as numerous EU-member states had already agreed to the new air cargo rule set over the last few months. In future, a joint European agreement is supposed to replace these individual arrangements. 

Source: AEA

Sending a parcel to France – Tips for cheap parcel delivery

Every year thousands of Brits cross the Channel for business or a holiday France. Sending parcels to France can be quick and cheap if one chooses the right courier service.

• By booking your cheap parcel delivery to France with leading carrier such as DHL or UPS, you can benefit from their well-connected European road and air freight network. In fact, your parcel may arrive in France within one day*.

• Beyond that, sending a parcel to France via a well-known courier service can provide you with a high level of security – especially if you are sending valuable goods. Nowadays, you can track your parcel online and check its progress at any point in time.

Many courier service also offer packaging guidance. Safe packaging is highly important in order to minimise the risk of getting your goods damaged during transit. This quickly happen since many parcels are transported by road and air freight within the EU. 


How much does is cost to send a parcel to France?

Prices are often cheaper if booked via a third-party courier company. Depending on your chose carrier, you can send a 1kg parcel to France from £ 12.95 +VAT**. If you consider sending a parcel to France and would like to benefit from cheap rates, then get a quote online.

*approx. transit time, subject to customs / depot checks ** prices may differ according to the chose carrier, weight & dimensions of the consignment

TNT Express announces Building on Strength business strategy

Today, the global express parcel services provider, TNT Express, announced its new "Building on Strength" business strategy.

Marie-Christine Lombard, CEO TNT Express, took a confident stance when talking about the new plans: 

"Our leading market positions, together with management actions, make us confident we can realised our medium term growth and profit ambitions."

Building on Strength is going to focus on the following five main objectives:

1. TNT Express & European markets

• No more boarder-based pricing, instead distance-based charges to be implemented. 
• Traditional express parcel services for health care, lifestyle and related industries. 
• Aim to double market share for high-end business-to-customer parcel delivery services.
• Cost reduction by €150m  (end of 2013) - especially for European and MEA fixed costs.

2. EU and worldwide networking 

• Business deals with airline operators to expand customer range.

3. Partnerships with Brazil and China

• To increase profitability and meet short term targets with domestic TNT Express parcel services in Mercurio, Brazil and Hoau, China.

4. Cash flow & financial management

• To continue to optimise investments, working capital etc.

5. Corporate responsibility

• To maintain high levels of health and safety in order to protect employees.
• CO2 efficiency 
• Corporate responsibility and interconnected working environment with input from customers, suppliers etc. 

You can find the full press release on the TNT Express website. 

Source: TNT Express