Whether local or international, the customs industry is constantly evolving. This transformation stems from the need to adapt to new purchasing and consumption patterns, where delivery speed is crucial for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their businesses through import and export activities.
The introduction of new regulations for customs brokers, exemplifies this ongoing evolution, requiring professionals in the field to stay updated and adapt to shifting compliance standards. One significant change is the implementation of technology and digitalization in customs procedures, which has greatly enhanced efficiency, transparency, and security in international trade.
Looking ahead to 2025, several automation trends have emerged to streamline customs processes further. These include data consolidation, AI-powered systems, and other innovations driving greater accuracy and customs service speed.
Stay ahead by exploring the key automation trends shaping customs procedures in 2025 and beyond.
5 trends for customs automation
When we talk about a “trend”, it doesn’t simply mean that something is popular. A trend signifies a broader, sustained shift in practices that reflects deeper changes in the industry.
In the area of “customs automation”, when a trend occurs it goes beyond the excitement for short-lived innovations, it is the increasing and conscious use of new and improved technology aimed at reducing human error and freeing Mexican custom broker from manual tasks.
This shift isn’t because these tasks are not important or because customs brokers are incapable of performing them properly, but rather because automation enables them to focus on more complex, value-added activities.
Here’s a look at the 2025 trends for custom automation:
1.- Data consolidation
The automation of customs procedures refers to the use of technology and digital systems to streamline and automate various processes involved in the import and export of goods.
And the data consolidation does exactly that by integrating all relevant information from multiple sources into a centralized, digital platform. This allows customs authorities and custom brokers in Manzanillo to access real-time, accurate data in a unified system, eliminating the need for repetitive manual data entry.
2.- Digital Product Passports (DPPs)
DPPs are digital records that contain detailed information about a product, including its origin, materials, manufacturing process, compliance certifications, and other relevant data.
In 2024, the EU made it a customs requirement for businesses to attach a DPP to all products, in the hopes of driving transparency. So how can these efforts enhance customs automation?
Well, DPPs streamline customs processes by providing an easily accessible digital record, which can be automatically integrated into customs systems. Allowing authorities to trace the products’ lifecycle from origin to destination without manual checks, ensuring that all regulatory standards are met reducing the risk of fraud and delays.
We hope that more and more countries take the example of the EU and start implementing these strategies, adopting Digital Product Passports (DPPs) to modernize their customs systems. Talk to your customs brokers in Nuevo Laredo to learn more about it.
3.- AI-targeted surveillance systems
In the context of customs and border management, targeted surveillance involves monitoring shipments or trade activities that are flagged as “high-risk” based on certain criteria, such as product type, origin, destination, shipment history, or previous customs violations.
Using AI and predictive analytics makes this process significantly more easy. Given that the technology enables automatic flagging of suspicious shipments, triggering inspections or alerts when a shipment deviates from its expected path or shows signs of non-compliance, reducing the need for blanket inspections and allowing for more focused attention on potential issues.
4.- IoT for smart borders
Smart borders can automate the customs clearance process by using biometric data, automated document verification, and AI-driven decision-making like IoT devices such as GPS trackers and RFID tags.
They can be used to monitor the movement of goods in real-time as they cross borders and collect the data automatically into customs systems, providing authorities with up-to-the-minute information on a shipment’s location, status, and condition. Allowing for quicker, data-driven decisions about the need for inspections, reducing delays.
5.- Electronic single window systems
Electronic Single Window (ESW) systems are a major trend in the automation of customs processes. These systems streamline trade by allowing businesses to submit all regulatory documents and data through a single digital platform, rather than dealing with multiple agencies separately.
As a result, ESW is becoming a standard practice among nations seeking to modernize their customs operations. Many countries are implementing these systems as part of their digital transformation strategies, aligning with international trade facilitation agreements set by the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Customs Organization (WCO).
As businesses and customs authorities continue embracing automation, these advancements will lead to more efficient, transparent, and accelerated customs operations worldwide. Stay informed on the latest improvements—check our blog daily and explore all the innovations transforming global trade!
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