HM Revenue and Customs is to run a technical pilot with US Customs and Border Protection to test digital solutions to speed up processes in trading goods between the two countries.
Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murrayreferred to the plan in a speech to the Chartered Institute for Taxation last week, saying it is part of HMRC’s ambition “to support digitalised trade and supply chains, ensure we are controlling the right goods in the right ways, and promote a high quality customs intermediary sector”.
He said the digital pilot will look to use real time data – such as digital certificates and online identifiers - to make processes faster and more efficient.
Better integration
This is part of an effort to achieve a more seamless integration of trade between the UK and its trading partners, and reflects a high level of trade with the US, valued at £115 in 2024.
“Our aim is to make supply chains between UK and US businesses more efficient through modernising how HMRC systems, international partners and businesses communicate with each other,” Murray said.
He added that all exporters and importers are now using the new Customs Declaration Service, which has replaced the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) service for export declarations.
