Access to high-quality customs data is presenting both a significant challenge and opportunity for major European manufacturing and retail companies, a new survey has revealed.
The survey of around 150 senior customs and trade compliance leaders shows data quality and visibility are becoming the foundation for compliance, resilience, AI and competitiveness.
However, the survey also showed many companies lack reliable and centrally-available customs data to quickly assess risks, make consistent use of duty savings and advance digital processes.
The data was collected ahead of the first Customs Support Summit, hosted by Customs Support Group (CSG), Europe’s leading independent provider of customs clearance and trade solutions, in Amsterdam on June 3.
It showed regulatory requirements, trade conflicts and new sustainability obligations are increasing the complexity of international trade, at a time when many companies lack reliable data.
Companies see data as the main advantage (34 per cent of responses), whereas regulatory change and increasing complexity was the most frequently mentioned challenge (24 per cent of responses), followed by data quality and visibility (20 per cent).
For many companies, these two issues were directly linked, as without reliable data, it can be impossible to manage new trade regulations, sanctions, sustainability requirements or reporting obligations efficiently.
Nicolas Collart, chief trade operations and compliance officer at Customs Support Group, said: “The discussions at the Summit showed that the poor availability and quality of data, the lack of common data structures and the low level of data sharing lead to fragmentation.
“This makes it significantly more difficult for both companies and customs authorities to analyse and manage risks based on data. In a world facing increasing trade barriers, companies need much greater visibility over their customs and trade-related data.”
According to CSG, the ability to act in customs management will increasingly depend on whether companies can create visibility across five key data areas:
- Visibility across end-to-end global supply chains
- Visibility over customs data
- Visibility from customs brokers data
- Visibility over financial data
- Visibility over the latest news and upcoming regulations
“The growing complexity is not only driven by the number of rules, but above all by the speed at which requirements are changing,” added Nicolas.
“Companies must integrate geopolitical risks, new trade barriers, sustainability requirements and digital reporting obligations into their processes and decision-making faster than ever before.”
John Wegman, CEO of Customs Support Group, said the results show customs is moving beyond its traditional role as an administrative gatekeeper, towards becoming a strategic driver of compliance, risk management, supply chain resilience and business growth.
He said: “At its core, the game is about supply chain resilience. With increasing regulatory complexity, geopolitical tensions, and growing pressure to leverage AI effectively, those who successfully connect data, processes and responsibilities can identify risks earlier, implement regulatory changes faster and make supply chains more resilient. This makes customs an important strategic lever for competitiveness in a volatile trade environment.”
To view the full findings of the survey visit https://www.customssupport.com/survey-customs-data-visibility-tops-the-list-of-business-challenges-as-well-as-strategic-opportunities.