Wave Goodbye to May… and Say Hello at Multimodal 2025!

As we bid farewell to May, we look forward to greeting many of you in person this June at Multimodal 2025 at the NEC Birmingham. We're proud to exhibit again at this leading event for the logistics, supply chain, and freight sectors. We look forward to reconnecting with our valued clients and meeting new ones!

For all the latest news & updates, check out our Industry Insights page, and don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn! 

Getting it Right at the Border

Any trader moving animal or plant products over the borders into the UK will attest to the difficulties experienced if goods are not presented precisely as required by the cross-border IT systems supporting the UK Import Regulations.

UK and India Sign Trade Deal

The UK Government Department of Business and Trade has issued a press release announcing the signing of a trade agreement between the UK and India.

The Export Control (Amendment) Regulations 2025

On May 2nd, 2025, Notice to Exporters 2025/13 was published confirming the details that we have been expecting since 11th March (NTE 2025/06) regarding updates to the UK Strategic Export Control List, also known as the consolidated list.

NTE 2025/14 Update to Thirteen Open General Licences (OGELs)

NTE The Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) has published Notice to Exporters 2025/14 advising of updates to 13 open general export licences (OGELs). The licences have been updated to exclude military nuclear power generating and nuclear power propulsion equipment from the scope of the licences.

French Customs releases an English User Guide for the French Smart Border Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO)

French Customs has released an English user guide to support UK users of the French Border Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO), which was released last month.

CDS Update Version 4.8.0 Scheduled for Release on June 14th 2025

The upcoming CDS update, version 4.8.0, is scheduled for release on 14th June 2025. During this period, please note that any pre-lodged declarations that will be affected by the changes should be changed/amended prior to the goods arriving. If Customs declarations are not corrected prior to arrival, they will be rejected.

NTE 2025/15 Export Control Update

On Friday, 16th May 2025, the ECJU (Export Control Joint Unit) communicated via Notice to Exporters 2025/15 that the process for applying for an F680 (MOD Security Approval Form 680) will be transferred from SPIRE to the replacement portal. The new licensing system was previously named LITE, Licensing for International Trade and Enterprise, but the Notice advises that “apply to export controlled goods” is the new name.

Next Chapter for UK – EU Relations

Announced at the Leaders’ Summit in London on 19 May 2025, the EU and the United Kingdom reached an agreement to promote prosperity on both sides. Is this a much-needed reset following the initial EU Exit agreement?

Managing VAT at the Border if the Goods do not Belong to the Importing Business

Before the UK left the EU, the VAT payable on goods moving between the UK and EU member states was managed through comprehensive EU VAT Directive (Council Directive 2006/112/EC) measures.

HMRC has started to Publish New Customs Technical Handbooks (CTHs) on GOV.UK

This is not an exhaustive list of Customs Technical Handbooks, and HMRC says that it is subject to change. Other topics are also being considered, but they are still in the scoping phase, and other handbooks may be developed in the future as required.

Reclaiming a Security Deposit Relating to Proof of Origin

HMRC has advised that it is now possible to reclaim a security deposit or guarantee paid on import where evidence of the goods' origin was not available at the time the goods were imported.

Government Prepares to Scale Compliance Audit Efforts

There is a hint of a warning that UK businesses should think about possible Customs compliance audits sooner rather than later, as the government strongly suggests that it’s time to ramp up audits to collect outstanding debt.