Traders will need to stay on top of ongoing changes in trade and customs in 2025, a panel of experts have said.
Kevin Shakespeare, the director of advisory services at the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, said that it’s never been more important for businesses and trade professionals to have up-to-date knowledge and skills to ensure compliant and successful trade.
“Recent years have seen trade change in numerous ways and 2025 looks set to be another year of transition, meaning traders need to stay in the know and up-to-date with compliance requirements and procedures,” he said.
Sharing best practice
He cited a new report from the Chartered Institute on ten recent and upcoming changes that will impact trade between the UK and EU, and said he was looking forward to addressing some of these changes at the upcoming Import Export Show.
“The recent report on changes to import processes highlights the amount and variety of changes that businesses are needing to keep on top of.
“It’s therefore imperative that trade professionals stay in the loop and connect with each other at events like the upcoming Import Export Show in order to understand and implement best practices in their supply chains.”
Expert panel
Shakespeare will be chairing an audience Q&A with some of the Chartered Institute’s most senior advisors, including:
- Ilona Kawka, the lead of the new Imports Advisory Practice
- Anna Doherty, a senior customs and trade specialist who sits as the industry chair of HMRC’s Joint Customs Consultative Committee (JCCC)
- Garima Srivastava, international trade legislation senior advisor
The panel will have a particular focus on process and rule changes that are taking place in the UK as part of its new Border Target Operating Model, and in the EU under its customs reform programme and Green New Deal.
Innovative solutions
Kawka, who authored the ‘Importing goods in 2025’ report mentioned by Shakespeare, said she was also looking forward to discussing innovative solutions to managing change and optimising supply chain efficiency.
“Businesses and supply chain professionals are continually needing to navigate change and complexity as regulations and systems change, but there are also several upcoming opportunities to improve supply chain efficiency through the deployment of new technologies and solutions. I’m looking forward to sharing some of these at the Import Export Show.”
Listening mode
Doherty said that events like the Import Export Show were also a great opportunity for the Chartered Institute to better understand the challenges and concerns that businesses have.
“Although I’m there as a panelist, I will also be in listening mode throughout the show.
“Understanding and feeding back businesses’ challenges and concerns to the government is my key responsibility in my role as industry chair of the JCCC, where I also represent the Chartered Institute and its members.”
Opportunities in crisis
The pandemic, the net zero transition, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and rising tensions between the US, China and EU have all contributed to a more uncertain geopolitical landscape, which in turn has affected global trade.
This includes rising shipping costs due to multiple crises in the Red Sea, Panama and Suez canals, as well as a rise in protectionist measures globally, and increasingly complex regulations.
For the UK, the country’s departure from the EU has changed how trade is done, with new rules brought in for trade with its closest partners. The UK also has new trade agreements with countries around the world, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which it is set to complete accession to in December. It is also introduced the new Developing Countries Trading Scheme.
Srivastava said she was looking forward to supporting members to navigate the new rules and processes that businesses are currently grappling with.
“Regulations and trade agreements can be complex, but they offer businesses opportunities as well,” she said.
“Understanding origin and cumulation rules in deals like CPTPP, as well as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, could lead to commercial opportunities for businesses, including, but not limited to, preferential tariffs.”
Book your ticket today
The second Import Export Show brings together senior figures from the global trade community, including key business leaders and policymakers, to address how trade can deliver for the UK.
Other confirmed speakers at the show include David Henig, director of the UK Trade Policy Project at the European Centre for International Political Economy, Bob Gokani, the founder of EziDrops, and Nick Marsden, co-founder of King’s Award winner OOSC Clothing.
You can find more information and book your tickets for the show here.
