HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is planning to take the next steps in developing the Single Trade Window portal to streamline trader interactions with border agencies.
It has indicated that it intends to begin the next phase work in June, as part of a £30 million investment for this financial year and £180 million in spending over three years.
The department has published a market notice for support in the work, saying it wants to focus on service design, data analysis and strategy, and technical architecture.
The Single Trade Window programme was launched 18 months ago as part of the 2025 Border Strategy and involves the development of a digital channel as a single entry point for all data needed for the movement of goods at the border in a standardised format.
Currently there are multiple government systems involved in moving goods across the border and traders and intermediaries have to submit data to each one, which leads to complexity and a duplication of work.
Early services
A first live service, on standalone guidance for importers, was launched in August of last year, and a second on export guidance is scheduled for this year. A phase for data submission on safety, security and import declarations is in the pipeline for 2023.
Earlier this year HMRC published a discussion paper on the programme seeking views on issues such as the scope for self-declaration of data, how the Single Trade Window should work with existing port and commercial systems, and further opportunities for data in the long term.
The market notice states: “The programme aims to improve traders’ experience with the border through simplification, reliability and consistency implementing a tell us once approach to data and incorporating supply chain data direct into government.”
