Article | 3.5 minute read
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
News | 2.5 minute read
Article | 4.5 minute read
Article | 2.5 minute read
As Gaston Schul celebrates its 180-year anniversary, one thing is clear: customs has never been more central to how businesses operate, compete, and grow. What once revolved around duty calculations and paperwork has transformed into a strategic domain shaped by geopolitics, sustainability, digitalisation, and supply chain resilience. Today, customs is no longer an operational afterthought. It is a boardroom priority.
The European Commission has proposed a new steel trade defence regulation (COM(2025)726 final) to protect the EU market from global overcapacity, particularly from non-market economies such as China. The initiative replaces the current safeguard measure in 2026 and introduces fresh compliance rules for importers, including a Tariff Rate Quota system and new ‘Melt and Pour’ origin requirements.
Article | 6 minute read
The EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia marks a new phase in Europe’s economic response to the war in Ukraine. It strengthens existing restrictions on energy, finance and dual-use goods, while expanding measures against crypto assets and third-country intermediaries. For European traders and logistics providers, these developments bring heightened compliance demands and supply-chain complexity. This article outlines the main rules, their business impact, and how Gaston Schul helps businesses stay compliant across Europe.
As global trade regulations tighten and enforcement rises, customs due diligence has become critical for protecting your business. From verifying suppliers to maintaining compliant documentation, it safeguards operations against delays, penalties, and reputational risks – while unlocking efficiencies and building trust with authorities.
Article | 1.5 minute read
A recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Spain has prompted the UK to introduce immediate import restrictions on certain bovine products. These measures apply to England, Scotland and Wales and follow existing controls already in place for France and Italy due to earlier outbreaks.
News | 4.5 minute read
From 1 January 2026, France will abolish Customs Procedure 42 , ending the VAT simplification that allowed goods to move across EU borders without upfront import VAT. The change affects non-EU importers such as those in the UK, Norway and Switzerland, who will need to register for French VAT. Although EU businesses are not directly affected, they should still review their operations to ensure smooth and compliant trade through France under the new rules.
Press | 3 minute read
Gaston Schul, the largest privately owned customs service provider in Europe, today opened its doors in Frederikshavn, Denmark, marking its expansion into a ninth European country. The launch strengthens the company's Nordic presence and reinforces its commitment to remaining independent while the European customs service industry continues to consolidate.
In recent years, we’ve seen a sharp rise in sanctions activity, and 2024 has been no exception. Between the evolving Russia sanctions, renewed measures on Iran, and increasingly complex EU and UK regulations, sanctions compliance has become a pressing concern for any business involved in international trade.
European waste regulations have existed since the 1990s, but in 2024 the EU adopted renewed procedures. The revised Waste Shipment Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1157) entered into force on 20 May 2024. Most provisions will apply from 21 May 2026, while export rules will take effect from 21 May 2027. A specific ban on exporting plastic waste to non-OECD countries will apply from 21 November 2026. The main purpose of the new framework is to strengthen public health protection and foster a circular economy. But what does this mean in practice for companies?
