What to expect in 2025 – 5 customs trends we will see

The role of customs has grown to become a great strategizing advantage for managing logistics in 2024 projected to gain even more momentum in 2025. This year, global trade is projected to seed ground for regional protectionism and tariffs, and employing smart strategies to manage customs can be an advantage for many brands.

To explore what changes will be affecting customs this year, we have worked with industry experts to provide you with a list of trends to watch out for:

What are the upcoming predicted trends for customs clearance in 2025?

1. New tariffs: 2025 will notoriously bring new regulations and tariffs. By setting these, some governments are sending shockwaves, promising of raise tariffs between 30% and 60% for some exporting countries, and therefore many economies around the world are preparing for protectionism. As well as simply raising the direct cost of doing business, there is also going to be a side effect of tariffs, as these tough trade policies will add some complications around customs and border trade processes. While in the past tariffs have been generally low and broadly harmonised, it seems that in 2025 customs might be moving into a scenario where some countries could impose unilateral actions targeted at trade from specific countries. “Companies are already trying to understand how these new tariffs and upcoming regulations will affect them, in revenue, cost and profit margin” says William Petty, Global Product Development Manager for Custom Consulting Services at Maersk, adding that “the overall universe of tariffs will be more complicated, with enforcement agencies likely to be more active in checking whether certain goods have really come from the country that is stated by the importer” he adds. One thing is for sure, 2025 will see companies having to seek support from logistics providers to see these regulations as a possibility for opportunity and not just as obstacles.
2. Customs and trade data: In light of disruptions, regional wars, protective customs regulations and tariffs coming into effect, there will be a need for higher visibility and timely data. Relevant supply chain intel and customs data will be the currency of trade in 2025. The digitalisation of processes will only augment, with a focus on owning one’s own data - either internally or through a trusted partner - to manage it correctly. Companies will need to get in control of their own data flows to fuel resilience against disruptions and black swan events. “Data will be key to make this possible, giving us smarter customs, smarter trade and therefore smarter borders. There will be a lot of positive movement around legal frameworks for accepting digital signatures for instance, and more will be developed to channel the data to be used strategically. Trade Compliance is becoming the license to play while trade and customs data is the new currency of global trade. You need to own your data and carefully select who handles it for you” states Lars Karlsson, Head of Global Trade and Customs Consulting Services at Maersk.
3. Trust: Due to the above-mentioned events, a great focus will be on trust between stakeholders dealing with logistics and customs. Complications spawning from extra checks will most likely increase queues and delays at ports worldwide. Traders will need to prove their good compliance record; therefore, trust will lie in the data. Key for this will be new certifications stating a company is a trusted trader or an authorised economic operator.
4. Passports for goods: One of the keyways to achieve this trust will be the institution of digital “passports for goods”, giving identification, and therefore a trusted status for the goods being moved. The data collected from traders, included in the packages mentioned before will be also present on these digital passports and supplied to governments to create a trusted value chain. During 2025, this initiative will be fuelled and supported by artificial intelligence (AI) for trade and customs to certify compliance, classify the goods correctly, to show that brands are fulfilling regulations, sanctions, paid duties and taxes using intelligent Digital Trade Corridors (iDTC). Another concept will be the one of “trust packages” that brands will be able to compile with the help of other trusted stakeholders such as knowledgeable logistics providers. They will be working in collaboration with governments to build intelligent digital trade corridors, where companies will be able to voluntarily supply the government, up to 2-3 weeks before the arrival of a ship and its containers, with a “trust package of necessary data” enabling advance risk management and clearance, reducing delays on arrival, and offering customers a more reliable product. These smart methods will also support companies in getting a sort of “fast track” at the borders.
5. Artificial intelligence (AI): Customs processes in international trade are expected to be increasingly shaped by technology and regulatory advancements. A wider use of customs digital software, propelled by AI, will accelerate trends making all the above-mentioned trends a faster reality. “Digitization is taking a deeper hold within our industry; its adoption is not where it should be yet but customs and logistics service providers are continuously on the lookout for ways to implement new tech standards and a wider use of AI,” says Bojan Strbanovic, Head of Growth and Strategy, Global Customs Services at Maersk adding “taking ownership and control of data and documents through digitization is a great opportunity to mitigate risks, liabilities and delays.” Automation and digitalization will continue to play central roles, with systems like AI-powered document verification and automated customs declarations significantly reducing border processing times. AI can be widely used for risk avoidance, security systems and programs. Real-time tracking and blockchain integration will enhance transparency and security, especially in cross-border logistics. Predictive analytics and machine learning will be used to assess risks in shipments, enabling faster clearance for low-risk goods while targeting high-risk ones for inspection.

What is on the horizon for customs in 2025?

In summary, supply chain resilience will be top of mind in light of conflicts, upcoming trade measures and possible retaliatory trade wars. Companies will be looking for secure trade, procurement options and alternative ways of sourcing, seeking assistance from trade professionals. Customs will be used as a business strategy, becoming an important C-Suite level discussion point to navigate the ever-complex international trade waters, foster trade facilitation, and bring GDP growth to many countries.

The right logistics partner will be able to help and support widely with these changes and complexities projected for 2025. Stay ready! Discover more trends projected for next year on Maersk Logistics Insights, and learn about all the customs solutions available at Maersk.