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5 customs & trade trends shaping 2025 and beyond — and how to stay ahead.

As we move through 2025, the global trade environment continues to evolve at speed — and with it, customs processes are becoming more complex, digital, and high-stakes. For importers, exporters, and logistics professionals, keeping up with the latest developments isn’t just a best practice — it’s essential. Here are 5 key customs trends still shaping 2025, and what your business can do now to stay compliant, efficient, and ahead of the curve.

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Understanding the French ELO requirements: What businesses moving goods through France need to know.

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The EU’s response to cheap online imports: Addressing safety, sustainability and fair competition.

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The importance of a Customs Health Check.

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Document codes in the customs declaration: Know what you’re declaring.

Have you ever experienced your shipment getting stuck at customs because you entered a document code incorrectly? It may seem like a minor detail, but choosing the right document code can make the difference between a smooth process and weeks of delays at customs, extra charges or even a blocking of your shipment. A document code is more than a simple number: it is a statement to customs about the declaration of goods. In this article, customs expert Lilian Retel explains what document codes are used for and why knowledge about the product is important. She also explains what the consequences can be of a wrong choice. Finally, some examples of situations follow, where the document code provides essential information for customs.

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Opinion: Trading in a world shaped by Trump: How to deal with it?

President Trump's announcement of new tariffs, targeting nearly the entire world, has created significant market uncertainty. While determining their exact consequences will require time, one certainty remains: the EU and other countries will introduce countermeasures against the US. This analysis provides an overview of the tariffs, international reactions, and preliminary considerations for businesses preparing for what is yet to come.

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CBAM updates: Making compliance easier for businesses.

The European Commission is making regulatory changes to reduce complexity and ease the burden on businesses. As the global landscape evolves, policies are changing rapidly. After years of regulatory complexity, the EU now aims to "make life easier for our businesses," according to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This raises a key question: what was the approach before? More importantly for businesses, what exactly is being simplified? This article explores the upcoming changes to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

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The UK Forest Risk Commodity Regulation.

The UK government introduced the UK Forest Risk Commodity Regulation (UKFRC) as part of the Environment Act of 2021. As the UK’s equivalent to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), this legislation aims to combat global illegal deforestation by ensuring that British company supply chains do not contribute to the problem. For consumers, this provides the assurance that their purchases are not contributing to illegal deforestation.

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Centralised Clearance for Import.

In July, the Centralised Clearance for Import (CCI) system entered its initial phase, enabling a streamlined customs process across multiple EU member states. Designed to simplify and harmonise the import procedure, CCI allows authorised economic operators (AEOs) to manage customs declarations centrally while goods are physically presented in another member state.

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Opinion: Effects of new American import tariffs – A critical look at the recent CPB study.

Last month, the Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis (CPB) published a research report on the potential impact of new American import tariffs on the Dutch and European economy. While the research conclusions were largely positive, with the CPB expecting only limited effects, we should remain cautious given the many assumptions underlying this analysis. This means we must continue preparing for Trump's new tariff era.

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Opinion: Preparing for Trump’s new tariff era.

Last week, Donald Trump, the self-proclaimed 'tariff man', won the U.S. presidential election by a landslide. His administration is likely to impose substantial import tariffs on all European goods entering the United States, making it crucial for businesses to prepare.

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CBAM Q3 2024: Is your company ready for the new reporting requirements?

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) enters a critical phase in Q3 2024, with significant changes to reporting requirements. Importers must transition from using default values to reporting actual embedded emissions for goods released into free circulation from July 1, 2024. This update provides crucial information about these changes and how to prepare for the October 31, 2024 reporting deadline.

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Opinion: Do customs agents still have a future?

The European Commission proposes a major reform of the Union Customs Code, introducing a new 'Trust and Check' trader status. This overhaul, planned for 2028-2037, aims to modernise EU customs procedures, promising improved efficiency and security. However, it raises concerns about data privacy and its impact on SMEs and customs representatives.