Despite Pausing the Development of Single Trade Window IMTA Urges Government to Continue Efforts Towards Digitalisation of Trade

For many years IMTA has been advocating in favour of the digitalisation of trade and the UK Single Trade Window’s (STW) implementation expected in 2024/2025 was a much-anticipated step to achieve that. Although financial constraints meant government has had to pause the project until 2026, we hope that efforts towards the digitalisation of trade will continue, especially regarding the implementation of electronic health certification.

Government has indicated that the pause will be an opportunity to take stock and further engage with key stakeholders to better understand their needs for the future of operating at the UK border. Rosana Verza, IMTA’s Policy Director said: “We look forward to continuing actively engaging in these discussions. There are significant opportunities for reducing duplication and streamlining the submission of data required by different government departments which would reduce costs and time for supply chains”.

Katie Doherty, IMTA’s CEO added that “businesses have incurred significant costs related to changes at the border, supply chain adjustments and for imports from the EU the introduction of health certification and a plethora of charges including the Common User Charge (CUC), which is disproportionately impacting small and medium size businesses. We hope that the future border plans will also take into consideration the financial challenges being faced by importers and that government will look into areas where costs can be mitigated, including a necessary review of the CUC charge. It is disappointing that the much hoped for streamlining of data entry that importers are faced with will not be addressed any time soon with the pausing of the Single Trade Window.”

IMTA will continue advocating and supporting the delivery of digital trade benefits to border operators, traders and consumers, especially in terms of cost and time reduction, while also ensuring and perhaps enhancing the application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) and biosecurity measures.