ASM calls on UK Government to rethink customs strategy following Single Trade Window collapse
ASM calls for intelligent data sharing between current government systems to boost efficiency and cut costs for UK businesses trading globally.
ASM (Agency Sector Management) is urging the UK government to act decisively in reshaping its digital border strategy, following the effective shelving of the much-anticipated Single Trade Window (STW) project.
“The STW began as a step in the right direction, but the execution, what there was of it, missed the mark,” said Simon Adams, Program Manager at ASM.
“With fragmented systems and redundant data processes still in place, the cost to businesses and inefficiency at the border remain high.
“Rather than returning to a somewhat flawed ‘tell us once’ approach, we are calling for a pragmatic shift toward smarter data sharing between existing government systems.
“By enabling cross-departmental data reuse, such as linking customs declarations submitted via CDS with the Safety & Security requirements managed by the Home Office, trade can be relieved of unnecessary duplication, without sacrificing compliance, data quality or visibility.
“The technology to simplify trade already exists. What we need now is the political will to connect the dots. A unified data model and consistent interface standards across all government border systems would transform how UK businesses trade globally.”
Originally championed as part of the 2025 Border Strategy, the STW was designed to simplify and streamline the interaction between traders and UK border agencies. However, following critical findings from the National Audit Office and growing fiscal pressure, the project stalled, leaving freight forwarders, customs brokers, and other trade professionals without the overarching digital solution they had been promised. Read more from ASM >
It is based on the idea that the sacrifice made for the common good should be shared proportionately among all parties involved, including shipowners, cargo owners, and insurers.
Ever Given (Suez Canal). In March 2021, the large container vessel ran aground while transiting the Suez Canal. The Ever Given was stuck in the canal for six days, and the effort to get it moving again resulted in Egyptian authorities seeking compensation of close to $2 billion.Whilst General Average is still being finalised, cargo owners are expecting to face charges upwards of 20% of the cargo value they had aboard the vessel.
“Multimodal 2025 comes at a pivotal moment for global trade. Logistics and supply chain professionals have had to deal with Brexit, the pandemic, and the impact of international conflicts and climate change in recent years. Now the industry is faced with the upending of the rules-based order of trade that we’ve known for decades by the Trump administration in the US.
Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming Mr Yu Kang from our partner agent, Marka Logistics in China who took the time out to visit our offices in Sheffield.
It is the second major trade announcement this week – following the India Free Trade Agreement on Tuesday, this historic agreement with the US to slash tariffs delivers for UK carmakers, steelworks and farmers – protecting jobs and providing stability for exporters.