The digitalisation of trade documents and processes

Annex D. Selected examples of country initiatives

Developing an ecosystem of trust at the United Kingdom border

Initially set out in the 2025 United Kingdom Border Strategy, the Ecosystem of Trust1 (EoT) proposed a collaborative model for managing the border, involving government, border users and technology firms. The ambition was to use technological and enhanced data solutions to enhance trust within the supply chain, and by government, with the aim of minimising trade frictions. The project tested whether the use of supply chain data, alongside technologies such as smart seals and smart containers, could be integrated into United Kingdom border processes. These solutions were tested via pilots and involved both industry and government participants.

The United Kingdom government partnered with six “consortia” to test a variety of proposals which involved sharing supply chain information between trade and government using a different supply chain data platform, and a wider set of technology across a variety of transport modes, commodities and routes, with the intention of understanding the feasibility of solutions across these variables. The pilots highlighted that up to 80% of the minimum risk requirements for Customs purposes and 60% of trade statistics requirements could be provided by supply chain data. This could improve confidence of government border agencies teams in making decisions, and potentially reduce the time taken border staff to make these decisions by nearly 20%.

The EoT August 2023 Evaluation Report delivered three key recommendations:

• Collaboration between government and industry is essential for driving innovation at the border.

• Interoperability proved to be the greatest challenge identified by the pilots and the biggest barrier to scaling an EoT model. Integrating industry data as it is held and managed at present into government systems at scale proved to be challenging.

• Maximising value to trade is central to incentivising the adoption of technologies and the sharing of data which can provide further assurance to government – whether that is platforms for managing digital supply chain data, or augmenting technologies.

Simplifying Australia’s trade system

Australia’s Simplified Trade System2 Implementation Taskforce over the past 3 years showed benefits to business. This included delivery of regular changes, co-designed with business, to incrementally simplify the process for imports and exports.

Reforms implemented

• A Customs Regulatory Sandbox established under the Customs Act 1901 to facilitate time-limited, controlled trials. It uses an innovative regulatory framework to drive evidence-based reform to Australian customs legislation.

• The Go Global Toolkit is a single source of online information on how to export priority sector goods. It includes regulatory and border compliance requirements.

• A Biosecurity Portal gives import clients the ability to make and manage inspection booking requests. They can also view direction information and lodge inspection outcomes 24/7 through an online system.

• An Integrated Cargo System (ICS) real-time notifications function for industry ICS system degradation and outages. This is through client self-registration and providing SMS and/or email customer notification functionality.

Reforms underway

• The Digital Trade Accelerator Program (DTAP) to target cargo for border and biosecurity protection through improved customs and risk assessments; and to facilitate how government connects with, and shares trade-related data with business, initially for cargo clearance status.

• A cross-border trade data sharing framework developed with agencies and business to standardise and share cross-border trade data between agencies by default. This will simplify future cross-border trade processes.

• Updating current data interchanges between government and business within the Integrated Cargo System (ICS), improving ICS user interfaces, and piloting myGovID access.

• Legislative amendments to the Customs Act 1901 to strengthen the customs licensing regime and digitise customs processes for the return of seized goods.

• Agricultural traceability and credentials 'ecosystem' work to harmonise traceability standards and data.

• Digital Verification Platform (DVP) to create and verify digital trade documents.

• The Simplified Targeting and Enhanced Processing System (STEPS) to make cargo clearance faster, simpler and support biosecurity management, including digitising manual processes and documents.

• Led by the Attorney-General’s Department, exploring options to align Commonwealth legislation with UNCITRAL MLETR to support transitioning to paperless trade.

• Led by ABF and building on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry air cargo supply chain trials, streamlining the Cargo Intervention Model (SCIM) to reduce inspection times and supply chain delays for traders by up to 90% of current levels.

Notes

← 1.  United Kingdom Cabinet Office Ecosystem of Trust Evaluation Report, August 2023.

← 2.  Australian Government, Simplified trade reforms, June 2024.