Gaston Schul

Article | 2 minute read

Geopolitical uncertainty in international trade: What it really means for your operations.

International trade has always involved a degree of complexity. But today, that complexity is no longer driven primarily by logistics or documentation. Increasingly, it is shaped by external forces that are difficult to predict and even harder to control.

Article | 2.5 minute read

Passar: What the digital transformation of Swiss Customs means for your business.

Article | 3 minute read

Trade complexity is a commercial variable. Do you have a strategy for it?

Article | 3 minute read

How to choose the right provider for a European Customs Control Tower.

Article | 2.5 minute read

How to run an RFQ for a Customs Control Tower.

Selecting a provider for a Customs Control Tower is not a routine procurement exercise. A Control Tower directly affects compliance, operational continuity, and data integrity across multiple countries. The RFQ process therefore needs to do more than compare service descriptions and prices. It must reveal whether a provider is capable of supporting long-term transformation. A structured RFQ is the foundation for that decision.

Article | 3 minute read

Customs outsourcing in the digital era. Why technological competence and EU integration define the future.

Customs outsourcing is undergoing a fundamental transformation. For many years, decisions were primarily driven by cost savings and capacity considerations. If declarations were processed efficiently and volumes could be absorbed, the model was considered successful. That logic is no longer sufficient.

Article | 1.5 minute read

What a changing trade reality demands from customs.

Across global trade, the role of customs is evolving rapidly. What was once treated as a transactional necessity is now influencing supply chain resilience, cost control, risk management, and commercial performance.

Article | 6 minute read

EU–Mercosur Agreement: Practical impact and how to prepare.

The EU–Mercosur agreement has the potential to reshape trade between Europe and South America, but its value will depend on operational readiness rather than political headlines. This article explains where the real commercial impact is likely to arise, what businesses should expect in practice, and how early preparation can turn preferential access into measurable advantage.

Article | 4 minute read

When AI and automation meets expertise: Why customs still needs the human touch.

As AI reshapes customs procedures and digitalisation accelerates, the role of many people working in the field of customs is shifting as well. And this change can bring about feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Does this mean the role of the customs broker is becoming redundant?

Article | 4 minute read

The future CBAM scope.

The European Commission has proposed a significant expansion of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, responding to lessons learned during the transitional phase. From 1 January 2028, CBAM is expected to apply to a much broader range of products, with implications across entire value chains. This article outlines the key elements of the proposal, the rationale behind the changes, and their expected practical impact for importers.

Article | 3.5 minute read

6 customs & trade trends shaping 2026 and how to stay ahead.

The customs world is moving faster than ever. As global trade faces constant geopolitical tension, new sustainability demands and sweeping digital transformation, customs has become a strategic function for both large logistics service providers and shippers. Here are six key trends shaping 2026 and what your business can do now to stay compliant, efficient and ahead of the curve.

Article | 3 minute read

ICS2 in 2026: What to lock down before year end 2025.

Import Control System 2 is no longer an upcoming regulatory change. With January 2026 only weeks away, many carriers, logistics service providers, and shippers are now in the final stage of readiness. ICS2 becomes mandatory from 1 January 2026. At this point, the question is no longer whether businesses are aware of the change, but whether data, partners, and processes are genuinely ready for go live. The final weeks of 2025 are about validation, confirmation, and risk reduction.

News | 2.5 minute read

EUDR timeline shift: What the latest postponement means for businesses.

Deforestation has long been central to the EU’s environmental agenda. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), adopted in 2023, aims to ensure that products sold or exported from the EU do not contribute to global deforestation, particularly from agricultural expansion. It requires that key commodities such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rubber, soy and wood are deforestation free, legally produced, and covered by a due diligence statement before entering the EU market (Regulation 2023/1115, Article 3). However, despite its early adoption, the regulation’s full application has been postponed again.