Customs in a changing world: Why it belongs in the boardroom.

A moment of transformation – for our sector and our organisation

In September, we marked an important milestone as Rob Ewalds became Chairman of the Board and I stepped into the role of CEO. This marks a new chapter built on the same foundation: deep expertise, long-term partnerships, and a commitment to guiding our customers through an increasingly complex trade landscape.

That complexity is increasing rapidly. Customs today is shaped by forces that extend far beyond traditional regulation – touching geopolitics, sustainability, digitalisation, and supply chain resilience.

What we’re seeing is a customs environment driven by five accelerating forces:

1. Geopolitics drives trade risk

Sanctions, export controls, shifting power blocs, and disrupted corridors place customs at the frontline of global risk. A single designation or new trade restriction can reshape entire supply chains overnight – turning compliance into a question of continuity and reputation.

2. Sustainability becomes a border requirement

From CBAM to new rules on deforestation and human rights, ESG (environmental, social and governance standards) is becoming inseparable from customs. Businesses must now prove not only what they import, but how and where it was produced. This places entirely new data demands on importers – and on those supporting them.

“Sustainability reporting doesn’t stop at the border – it starts there,” one of our senior advisors recently remarked. It’s a shift many organisations are still underestimating.

3. Data replaces documents

The move toward fully digital customs processes means traditional declarations will increasingly give way to continuous data exchange, which sits at the heart of the EU customs reform and the future Customs Data Hub.

Practical implications include:

• Seamless integration between company systems and customs authorities
• Stronger controls on data quality, origin evidence, and product information
• Real-time visibility replacing retrospective checks

This shift will fundamentally change how businesses manage customs operations and the skills required, as data rather than documents becomes the primary currency of compliance.

4. The logistics service provider evolves into an advisor

As the demands grow, LSPs and customs partners must understand much more than tariff rules. They need to see the entire supply chain:

• Sourcing
• Manufacturing
• ESG exposure
• Transport
• Documentation flows

Advising customers now means helping them prepare for the future, not just clearing today’s shipments.

5. Regulation becomes strategic

From sustainability obligations to data-driven supervision, customs rules now influence business models, cost structures, and market access. This is why boards increasingly ask: What does this mean for our risk profile, our carbon footprint, our digital capabilities, and our resilience?

What leadership teams should be asking today

Across Europe, CFOs, COOs, supply chain directors, and compliance leaders are asking more strategic questions:

• How much do we truly spend on customs duties – and can we reduce it?
• Are our data, systems, and processes ready for the next wave of digitalisation?
• What will CBAM and other ESG regulations mean for our cost base?
• Do we have full visibility over customs and trade risks across our supply chain?
• Is customs integrated into our resilience and business continuity planning?

Businesses that prepare early will be best positioned to turn regulatory complexity into competitive advantage.

Our role for the next 180 years

Our purpose remains the same: to help businesses trade with confidence.

But how we deliver on that purpose continues to evolve. Today, our teams support customers far beyond declarations: helping them understand regulatory change, strengthen compliance frameworks, prepare for ESG obligations, assess sanctions risks, and digitalise their customs processes.

This is where customs meets strategy. And in a world defined by change, one thing remains constant:

Think customs, think Gaston Schul.