Reports & Resources
The Trade Facilitation Commission has been created to promote trade and challenge any obstacles in its way. We encourage traders and would-be traders to engage with the Commission in a forward-thinking manner with the overall aim of improving the trading experience and enabling growth through increased trade.
Economic Growth Volume 842: debated on Thursday 23 January 2025
The UK government faces economic challenges with high taxes and borrowing, declining GDP per capita, and no clear growth plan. Improving trade facilitation could boost GDP by £40bn through better coordination, regulatory recognition, trusted trader schemes, and digital trade corridors. Contribution by Lord Agnew of Oulton
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Smart Border Partnership Programme
This report advocates for a Smart Borders approach to UK trade, utilising data and technology to streamline border processes and boost economic growth. It highlights the urgent need for improved trade facilitation given current economic challenges and increased global trade complexity.
Trusted Trader Schemes as a Border Management Tool
Modernising the UK's Trusted Trader Programme (TTP), mirroring successful international models like the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) scheme. It highlights the current UK system's limitations, with low adoption and minimal practical benefits, proposing a tiered system offering varying levels of benefits based on compliance.
Supply Chain Data vs. Customs Declarations
This report examines the post-Brexit UK customs processes, highlighting the inefficiency of relying solely on customs declarations.
Smart Borders and Digital Trade Corridors
The UK’s initiative uses Digital Trade Corridors to enhance efficiency, reduce delays, and improve risk-based border assessments through automated recognition and supply chain data sharing.
Ensuring Economic Growth
As the government places economic growth at the forefront of its agenda, the TFC urges immediate action on trade facilitation to support UK businesses and increase GDP per capita.
News
Latest News from Trade Facilitation
Singham Testifies Before European Affairs Committee hearing on the EU Reset On February 4, 2025
Shanker Singham was amongst the expert witnesses to weigh in on the direction of UK trade policy being discussed by the Parliament, in this case the House of Lords. This is one of his remarks during the hearing.
New Initiative to Boost UK Exports and Foster Economic Growth
The Trade Facilitation Commission (TFC) has been established to bolster UK small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) global trade activity.
Breaking Barriers on International Customs Day
In a landmark event held at the House of Commons, EORI (UK) celebrated International Customs Day with the Trade Facilitation Commission.
Resources
Click on the link below the description to access the full document.
Border Target Operating Model
The border blueprint. Includes SPS processes and the implementation timelines for enhancements or removal of post-Brexit easements.
2025 Future Border Strategy
An outline of how the Government sees the future border operating and the use of trade facilitation techniques.
Northern Ireland and the Windsor Framework
Outline of steps and processes designed to ease the flow of UK internal market goods (not at risk).
Britain is Great
From The Department for Business and Trade to remind us how inventive and inspiring we are.
Comparative Advantage
Trade is not just buying and selling goods and equipment. It is about partnerships and mutual agreements; it is about working together.
UK Export Finance
UK Export Finance advance prosperity by ensuring no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance, doing that sustainably and at no net cost to the taxpayer.
Baroness Neville-Rolfe
An interview by Institute of Export and International Trade on the UK's aim to achieve the best border in the world.
Incoterms 2020
Entering the world of global trade means understanding your roles and responsibilities – and that means understanding Incoterms®.
Look-back at 2023
A recap of trade highlights in 2023 brought to you by the Department for Business & Trade.
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