Single Trade Window Development Paused

HMRC has released an update related to the Single Trade Window development. Please see below the announcement:

The purpose of the Single Trade Window (STW) is to provide a single UK border service that streamlines data across government and trade. As you’ll be aware, the new government faces a challenging fiscal context with difficult choices to make. It is also true that the border has undergone radical change in the last few years, including the addition of new digital capabilities. It is right that this government considers its future plans for the border and how best to meet the needs of its users. It is in this context that development of the STW in the 2025 to 2026 financial year has been paused.

This decision means that the first strategic release of STW functionality, including the user interface for Safety and Security (S&S), will not be launched publicly this year. I know HMRC is already working with you and your members to ensure everyone is aware of the options for submitting Safety and Security declarations ahead of 31 January 2025.

This pause will give the government an opportunity to take stock and further engage with traders, ports, software developers and its other key stakeholders to better understand their needs for the future of operating at the UK border. This understanding will allow us to fully re-evaluate how we can use digital tools to support our border priorities and ensure they have the greatest impact on trader experience.

As part of its efforts to support businesses trading across the UK border, the government will consider the role of the STW and will provide an update as part of the next phase of the Spending Review, reporting in late Spring 2025. Cabinet Office colleagues will be looking to talk with you about the future of the STW in due course.

Extensive stakeholder engagement has taken place on the Single Trade Window with trade representatives, industry experts and specialists for each area of the border. The government would like to thank industry for their subject matter expertise and to reassure all involved that this valuable insight will be retained. Your expertise and knowledge have been, and will continue to be, invaluable.  HMRC will work with policy teams and the Technical Delivery Partner to ensure we preserve the assets already built.

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce said:  

“Much of the investment in Single Trade Window has already been made, but clearly funding would be required to complete the rollout in future spending reviews. 

 “The government’s forthcoming trade strategy needs to spell out a future for UK border controls for goods trade, particularly with the European Union. We would favour cutting the cost of business through new arrangements with the EU. Those arrangements should remove safety, security and agri-food export/import form filling. The trade strategy should also give a renewed commitment to digitalising trade documents.  

“We look forward to engaging with the Cabinet Office on how to make importing and exporting quicker, less costly and more efficient.”