June Trade Brief: What's Shaping Customs & Compliance
- John Hall
- Customs Specialist at iCustoms
As June brings in longer days and brighter mornings, the world of trade and customs is anything but standing still. This month, we’re seeing important shifts on the UK border front, high-stakes trade negotiations with the US, and a major update on how the EU handles VAT for e-commerce.
Whether you’re navigating regulations or planning ahead, our roundup gives you the essential updates, all in one place. Let’s dive in.
Import Deadline Scrapped: UK Pushes Back SPS Checks Again
In a major policy reversal, the UK government has formally scrapped the July 1, 2025, deadline for the final implementation phase of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). This model was designed to introduce comprehensive sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls on medium-risk goods entering the UK from the EU, such as chilled meats, dairy products, and certain plants.
The most notable shift? Planned physical inspections on fruit and vegetables have been postponed, with full checks now delayed until January 31, 2027. This delay comes as the UK and EU work on a new SPS deal that could make future agri-food trade smoother and less complicated.
Critics argue this move increases biosecurity risks, while supporters say it’s a pragmatic response to avoid cost pressures and port congestion. Either way, the decision is expected to ease the burden on importers, particularly SMEs, and allow more time for supply chains to adapt.
It also signals a broader UK trade strategy, prioritising fluid movement over hardline border control, especially in politically sensitive sectors like food retail and horticulture.
🇬🇧🇺🇸 UK-US Steel Deal in Jeopardy as Tariffs Escalate
As global trade tensions rise, UK steel exports face serious pressure from the recent tariff hike imposed by former US President Donald Trump. The doubling of global tariffs on steel and aluminium, now at 50%, threatens a vital £400 million trade relationship between the two long-standing allies.
In response, the UK government has renewed calls for a zero-tariff agreement on British steel, urging U.S. negotiators to shield UK exports from blanket tariff policies. With the U.S. election drawing near and Trump’s protectionist rhetoric ramping up, UK officials are accelerating talks to prevent a damaging blow to British steelmakers.
The UK steel industry supports around 39,000 direct jobs and contributes heavily to regional economies in Wales, Yorkshire, and the Midlands. Stakeholders fear that continued tariff uncertainty could lead to reduced orders, job losses, and decreased investor confidence in a sector already grappling with energy costs and green transition mandates.
If no breakthrough is reached soon, the current impasse could trigger a mini-trade war, adding friction to UK-US relations that had just started stabilising post-Brexit.
🇪🇺 VAT Overhaul: EU Modernises E-Commerce Taxation
In a bid to modernise its tax framework, the EU has greenlit a major VAT reform package focused on e-commerce imports. The changes, agreed upon by EU finance ministers, target two key issues: loopholes in distance selling and simplifying VAT payments via the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS).
Under the new plan, IOSS will become mandatory for certain platforms that facilitate cross-border B2C sales of low-value goods. This means online marketplaces will be held directly responsible for charging, collecting, and remitting VAT on behalf of sellers—a move aimed at reducing fraud and levelling the playing field for EU businesses.
For importers, this translates to less red tape, faster customs clearance, and a more transparent VAT process when bringing in goods from outside the EU. The reforms are also expected to enhance consumer trust by providing clearer information on total prices, including taxes.
Industry experts have welcomed the move, saying it aligns the VAT regime with today’s digital-first retail landscape. However, businesses will need to adjust their IT systems and compliance workflows ahead of the expected 2026 rollout.
Save the Date: iCustoms at Multimodal 2025
We’re excited to announce that iCustoms will be speaking at Multimodal 2025! Join Adnan Zaheer, CEO of iCustoms, as he presents game-changing insights on how Zero-Touch automation is revolutionising trade compliance for modern businesses.
This session is perfect for logistics leaders, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and supply chain professionals looking to streamline declarations, reduce errors, and cut costs through smart tech adoption.
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 17 June
🕓 Time: 4:20 PM – 4:40 PM
📍 Venue: Norton Theatre, Multimodal
Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and future-proof your trade processes.
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About iCustoms
iCustoms is an all-in-one solution helping businesses automate customs processes more efficiently. With AI-powered and machine-learning capabilities, iCustoms is designed to streamline your all customs procedures in a few minutes, cut additional costs and save time.