Forwarding, Freight News, IT


ASM calls for customs clarity

[ September 24, 2026   //   ]

Customs software firm Agency Sector Management (ASM) is calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to publish the remaining financial and technical details of the UK’s low value imports (LVI) reforms by mid- 2027 – its equivalent to the abolition of deminimus duty in the US and EU – to allow industry time to prepare.

A consultation response was published on 13 July, one week before the Chancellor, John Healey, took office, and states that the reforms will be implemented by October 2028 at the latest.

The reforms will remove the existing customs duty relief for consignments valued at £135 or less entering Great Britain and introduce new customs requirements.

ASM program manager, Simon Adams said: “The new government must not leave the logistics industry to absorb the cost and risk of an unfinished policy. Forwarders, customs intermediaries, parcel operators, and software providers cannot prepare properly until the data requirements, technical specifications, and testing timetable are confirmed.”

Sellers and online marketplaces will be responsible for providing item level data and paying customs duty quarterly, while traders will need to classify goods and apply the appropriate UK Global Tariff rate.

An additional fee will be introduced to cover the cost of administering the new system, but the Government has not yet confirmed the amount or charging basis. Overseas sellers and online marketplaces without a UK presence will also be required to appoint a UK based fiscal representative responsible for their customs debts.

ASM says however  that the final VAT collection model, guidance, technical specifications, and phased implementation and testing timetable remain unknown.

Adams said: “The Chancellor should use his first Budget to put a firm deadline on these decisions, because assurances that detail will follow are not enough for businesses facing substantial system and process changes.”

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