The Customs Watch EU&UK: Edition 29

EU Hits Back / Moldova Moves Closer / Deal With India / ICS2 Countdown / NCTS6 Live / CBAM Reform / WCO Tech Push & More

Edition 29 - Week 31/2025

Period Covered: 22 July 2025 – 28 July 2025

Published: 29 July 2025 

Colleagues,

ChaGPT said:

This final Customs Watch EU & UK edition before the August break delivers critical updates on the US–EU 15% tariff deal, UK–India FTA, EU–Moldova DCFTA upgrade, and HMRC’s customs modernisation roadmap, plus urgent ICS2 Phase 3 compliance and evolving rules of origin developments. We’ll return on 2 September 2025 with full coverage of summer trade shifts and regulatory changes—until then, prepare accordingly and enjoy your summer.

Please share your views on this new approach here:

https://www.customsmanager.info/trade-intelligence-survey

Table of Contents

1. Top Story

2. Download this week's PDF "The Customs Watch EU&UK"

3. Headlines from the European Union

4. Headlines for the United Kingdom

5. Insights

6. Compliance & Cost Saving Video of the Week

7. Dates and Deadlines

8. What's Hot at Customs Manager Ltd

9. If You Do One Thing This Week, Do This

10. How To Book A Free Expert Call

11. Our 4-in-1 Services

12. Book a Free Call with Arne

    
    

1. Top Story

US-EU Trade Deal Shakes Up Trade & Tariff

A new 15% tariff deal reshapes US-EU trade. What does it mean for customs, compliance, and your import/export strategy?

Read The Top Story

2. Download The Customs Watch EU & UK (pdf)

Edition 29 of "The Customs Watch EU & UK" published on 22 July 2025 covers updates from 22 to 28 July 2025, detailing key topics like AEO updates, trade measures, and customs law for both the EU and UK.

This final edition before the August pause covers major developments including the US–EU 15% tariff agreement reshaping transatlantic trade, the UK–India Free Trade Agreement expanding market access with complex rules of origin, and the EU–Moldova DCFTA upgrade deepening economic ties.

It also highlights HMRC’s transition plans modernizing customs processes, the urgent ICS2 Phase 3 compliance deadline, and key updates on rules of origin and digital systems like CDS and NCTS.

We’ll be back on 2 September 2025 with detailed insights from the summer, so use this time to prepare and ensure compliance.

Ask ChatGPT

Download

Or get it here:

The Customs Watch EU&UK - Edition 29-Week 31-2025-28072025 -FINAL.pdf

Download PDF • 4.60MB

3. Headlines from the European Union

CCustoms / EU-UK reset

• Commission Activates Surveillance of Metal Scrap Imports and Exports

• EU Confirms Electronic A.TR Certificates for Turkey–EU Trade

• Transition Deadlines Announced for DELTA IE – Import and Export

• DELTA IE Import – Status of the Changeover and Transition Rules

Excise / EUDR / Trade Agreements / EU-UK Reset

• EU Retaliation to Trump Tariffs – Updated Rebalancing Measures Adopted

• US–EU Reach High-Stakes Trade Deal with 15% Tariff Compromise

• EU and Moldova Agree to Revised DCFTA with Enhanced Agricultural Access

• Update to Commodity Code Structure to Maintain Dynamic Alignment with the EU

• EU–China 50th Anniversary Summit Prioritises Trade Rebalancing, Supply Chain Resilience, and Climate Cooperation

• EU and Japan Launch Competitiveness Alliance Amid Global Trade Shifts

VAT

• Commission Launches Public Consultation on Modernising VAT Rules for Travel and Tourism

• EU Reports €33 Billion in VAT Collected via E-Commerce OSS/IOSS Systems in 2024

• G TAXUD Warns Public About Scam Emails, Calls, and Letters

WTO/ WCO

• WTO Arbitrator Rules Against China’s Anti-Suit Injunction Policy in DS611 Dispute with EU

4. Headlines from United Kingdom

HMRC / CDS Updates / Trade

• HMRC Updates Duty Deferment Account Guidance for CDS Users

• HMRC Updates Guidance on Pleasure Craft Departing the UK

• UK–India Free Trade Agreement Signed — £6 Billion in Deals and Tariff Cuts Drive Growth and Market Access

• APHA Border Update – HPAI & LSD Lifting, IPAFFS Reminder, FMD Delays

• UK Confirms Two-Phase Rollout of NCTS6 with Limited TSAD Functionality

Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) & Trade Defense

• Anti-Dumping Duties Imposed on Epoxy Resins from China, Taiwan, and Thailand

• UK Terminates AD/CVD Measures on Steel Commodity Code 7212408080

• UK Registers Imports of Hot-Rolled Steel Plate from South Korea Pending Anti-Dumping Decision

Import

• Registration of Imports of Hot-Rolled Steel Plates from South Korea

• HMRC Guidance on Blocking Grey Market Goods

• Temporary Admission Relief – Updated HMRC Guidance

• Declare Re-Importation of Private Motor Vehicles – Updated HMRC Form C179B Guidance

Classification / Tariff

• HMRC Launches Live Tariff Issues Log for Declaration Support

• UK Corrects Japan Tariff Preference for Commodity Code 2106909800

• UK Amends MFN Duty for Preserved Fruit Commodity Code 2007999300

• UK Update to Autonomous Suspension Coverage

• Tariff Classification for Blackcurrant-Flavoured Alcoholic Beverage (14.5% ABV)

• Tariff Classification for Gellan Gum Standardised with Sucrose

5. Insights

UK-India FTA: Key Q&A + Doc

The new UK-India trade deal is BIG—here are the top questions answered and download of legal text for Custos Professionals

Read Our Insight

6. Compliance & Cost Saving Video of the Week / How a Missing Customs Permit Can Destroy Your Shipment and Business

   How a Missing Customs Permit Can Destroy Your Shipment and Business

   Your shipment is stuck in customs. Every day, demurrage fees are draining your profits. Your customer is growing impatient, and your reputation is at stake. What is the most common reason behind this expensive nightmare? One missing document — a customs permit. In this video, we break down everything you need to know about customs permits and how they can make or break your global shipping strategy. Whether you’re importing food, exporting tech, or temporarily sending equipment abroad, understanding permits isn’t optional—it’s essential.

   Here’s what you’ll learn:

   ✅ What a customs permit is and why it’s crucial for international shipping

   ✅ Which goods typically require permits — including food, chemicals, vehicles, and electronics

   ✅ How to determine if your product needs a permit based on country and product classification

   ✅ The exact documents you need to prepare for a successful permit application

   ✅ How to apply for permits through government agencies or online portals

   ✅ The different types of permits:

   ❒ Import Permits

   ❒ Export Permits

   ❒ Temporary Import Permits

   ❒ ATA Carnet (the "passport" for your merchandise)

   ❒ Specialized Product-Specific Permits (e.g., for electronics, vehicles, biologicals)

https://youtu.be/SQX2LWe7C6A?si=NtQXFzrDCW_P0PST

7. Dates and Deadlines

CBAM

• ✅ Secure “Authorised Declarant” status without delay. This is essential for continued reporting under CBAM.

• 📝 Begin preparing your Q2 2025 CBAM report, covering embedded emissions and import volumes. The submission deadline is 31 July 2025. Late or incomplete filings may lead to compliance penalties and customs clearance issues.

  
  

ICS2: Mandatory from 1 September 2025 — Are You Ready?

 From 1 September 2025, ICS2 Release 3 becomes mandatory for all goods entering the EU by sea, road, and rail. This means complete and accurate Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) must be submitted before goods arrive at the EU border. Economic operators, including freight forwarders, carriers, and importers, must ensure their systems are ICS2-compliant and capable of submitting data through the Shared Trader Interface (STI). Failure to comply could lead to delays, detentions, or rejected shipments. Act now—test your systems, update your processes, and ensure your supply chain partners are ready.

8. What's Hot at Customs Manager Ltd

All events at www.customsmanager.org/events

• CPD 2025–2026 Launch Event – 28 July 2025 · Book

• EU Sanctions Against Russia (and Belarus) – 30 July 2025 · Book

• Premium Plan Onboarding (Welcome Session) – 1 August 2025 · Book

• Export‑Import Kickstarter – 18 August 2025 · Book

• Rules of Origin, Preference & FTAs – 18 August 2025 · Book

• Customs Classification + Tariff – 19 August 2025 · Book

• Export Mastery – 4 September 2025 · Book

9. Book a Free Call with Arne

Have a challenge or just want expert eyes on your customs operations?🔗

 Book your free one-hour call here: www.customsmanager.org -> Book Expert Call

10. About Us

This newsletter is for customs professionals in the EU and UK who seek clarity, updates, and actionable insights to stay compliant and ahead in global trade. We're here to keep you informed, protected, and performing.