Theme: Digital

Trade Deals Around the World is our periodic update, which gives you a quick and easy overview of what has been happening in the many trade deal negotiations worldwide. In this month’s edition, we’ll be giving you an overview of the digital trade deals of 2022 and what you might see in 2023.

Updated 22/03/2023 following further delays from HMRC.

HMRC have extended the deadline for migrating your UK export declarations to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). You will now be able to process export clearances on the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system until 4th June 2024, more than a year after the original deadline of 31st March 2023.

From taxing merchants in ancient times to gathering statistics and protecting economies, customs is always evolving. Recent years have not only been about evolution, though. They’ve been about revolution.

Customs systems across the world are evolving, driven by changes in technology, consumer behaviour, and security requirements. The European Union’s Import Control System (ICS), which was launched in 2010, is the latest target for development.

The manufacture of plastic goods has become more available since the development of 3D printers. Where you previously needed to design, test and use moulds in a factory, you can now send a digital file to your 3D printer.

Digitalisation is changing how companies and industries worldwide perform, leading to a customs clearance evolution.

As a leading digital customs broker, we are constantly looking for new technologies and innovations and analysing potential impacts on our operations and customers. One of the developments we are closely following is artificial intelligence. 

As companies and governments work to achieve net-zero carbon, communicate more effectively, and protect people’s data, technology is rapidly advancing around the world, the customs industry is also making strides in innovation.

The UK is investing in its systems and infrastructure at an unprecedented rate, and the digitalisation of your supply chain is now more important than ever. But, where are the upgrades being implemented, and what will this mean for you?

Following Brexit, the UK announced the creation of eight freeports to open trade opportunities, provide jobs, encourage innovation and boost the economy in the aftermath of COVID-19.