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Tariffs and technology set to reshape trading landscape in 2025
[ February 3, 2025 // Chris Lewis ]Customs and trade solutions provider Customs Support Group (CSG) has made a prediction of the five trends will shape global trade in 2025.
New tariffs are set to take centre stage, potentially becoming the defining term in global trade discourse in 2025. Anticipated increases from the US and the spectre of a trade war are driving major shifts in legislation and supply chain configurations.
These changes are intensifying the complexities of customs procedures and cross-border operations. In this evolving landscape, understanding and adapting to tariff dynamics will be crucial for companies seeking to thrive in an increasingly volatile global market.
AI may have dominated conversations in recent years, but in 2025 demand for Real Intelligence (RI) will increase sharply. Increasing complexities and the rapid pace of change mean that professional expertise in customs and trade compliance have never more sought after.
This is the result of years of geopolitical tensions and logistical disruptions, which have highlighted the critical need for skilled professionals who can adeptly navigate evolving trade regulations. Even large enterprises are outsourcing their customs departments to improve agility and resilience.
CSG continues that customs must move away from being a paper-heavy and bureaucratic industry. Digital innovation is already boosting efficiency and accuracy, while addressing recognised talent shortages and capacity limitations.
These developments significantly impact the profession of customs brokers, removing manual tasks in favour of leveraging real expertise and knowledge in customs and compliance.
CSG says it is already processing more than three million customs declarations across 14 European markets and will surpass the 50% threshold for fully digital declaration processing in 2025.
Data may be the gold of supply chain efficiency – however, consolidated data is the diamond. This year, the value of data consolidation will overtake the value of data acquisition.
Operations will recognise the need to consolidate fragmented and scattered data sets across various markets and systems into a single, clear source of truth.
The industry is shifting from numerous small customs brokers to a centralised approach with a single international provider, which enables the consolidation and standardisation of data formats across multiple markets.
The value of consolidation will be demonstrated through the consistency, visibility and accessibility of data, allowing businesses to make more informed decisions for supply chain strategies.
Increasing speed and capacity are the key to enhancing efficiency and Customs Support Group’s AI-powered clearance tests have demonstrated up to a 50 percent increase in efficiency. However, while emerging AI solutions continue to advance, the consensus among industry experts is clear: the complexity and ever-changing nature of global trade still requires human oversight.
The non-compliance risks are just too high to depend solely on automated systems. Balancing the rapid advances in AI with the essential role of RI will be key to leveraging technology while maintaining regulatory integrity.
Tags: CSG, Customs Support Group