Article | 4.5 minute read
VAT is often seen as a necessary obligation when operating across borders. But in practice, it directly impacts your cash flow, your operations, and your ability to scale. For international businesses, VAT is not optional. It is triggered by how your supply chain is structured, where goods move, and who owns them at each stage. With the right approach, VAT can move from a source of complexity to a lever for control and efficiency.
Article | 2.5 minute read
Article | 2 minute read
Article | 3 minute read
Trade complexity is no longer a background condition. It is a commercial variable. The debate is not whether trade has become more complex. It clearly has. The real question is whether your operating model converts that complexity into value, or absorbs it through margin, predictability, and market share.
Selecting a provider for a Customs Control Tower is one of the most consequential decisions a company can make in its customs and trade strategy.
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.
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
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
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
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?
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
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.
