The UK government has launched a consultation with businesses to “deliver a world class border” driven by technology as the transition from the EU looms in December.

Called the ‘2025 UK Border Strategy Public Consultation’, the deadline for submissions is in just over a month’s time at 11:55pm on 28 August 2020. The ideas submitted will inform a border strategy that will be published at the end of 2020.

The government says its ambitions are:

• to create the world’s most effective border by 2025
• to ensure the UK becomes an even more attractive place to travel to and do business with
• ensure the UK is better protected against crime, terrorism and environmental and biosecurity threats.

Digital border

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, emphasised how the ambition was to create a “digital border, supporting businesses to import and export with ease and at low cost”.

As well as faster clearance for goods crossing borders, the government is aiming for easy travel experiences through digital ID system, reduced threats of crime and terrorism

The rise in e-commerce will produce growth of about 60% in cross-border parcels in the next five years, the consultation said, so efficiency will be required to meet 72-hour global door-to-door standards expected by customers.

Data sharing

The consultation wants views on the way data is shared across supply chains and with government to improve the operation of the border.

Marco Forgione, director general of the IOE&IT, welcomed the consultation for its emphasis on “tech-driven ease of moving goods across borders”.

He urged IOE&IT members to contribute to the consultation ahead of the deadline.

“This consultation is proof of the contribution of overseas trade to the UK’s future prosperity. It singles out 'the border industry' as key responders – that is, those firms that currently ensure the seamless movement of goods across borders are front and centre of this consultation, a further acknowledgement of the crucial role of importing and exporting to the UK’s economic recovery after the transition period.”