HMRC’s 2025–2026 Digital Transformation Plan: 3 Key Takeaways for Traders in Customs, Excise and Logistics

HMRC has unveiled its 2025–2026 Transformation Roadmap — a forward-looking plan that continues its mission to simplify the UK’s tax and customs systems while enhancing transparency, automation and user experience. For businesses engaged in customs clearance, excise handling, and cross-border logistics, these changes are not just technical upgrades — they carry direct implications for compliance, operational efficiency, and long-term competitiveness.

At NG Terminal, we’ve analysed the roadmap with a sharp focus on the impact to excise traders, importers/exporters, and logistics operators. Here are the three most important takeaways from HMRC’s digital plan — and how NGT is helping businesses stay ahead.

The Single Trader Account (STA): A Centralised View of Compliance

One of the most significant changes is the rollout of the Single Trader Account — a consolidated, digital gateway where businesses will eventually be able to view and manage their tax, customs, excise and duty information in one place.

For traders, this means:

Centralised access to declaration data, payments, and communications

Easier reconciliation of taxes and duty positions

Tighter visibility over compliance issues and audit risk

However, this level of integration also increases scrutiny. Businesses must ensure their declarations and financial records are aligned and accurate across systems — or risk penalties, delays, and reputational harm.

How NGT supports you:
Our MyNGT platform is designed to integrate with existing HMRC interfaces and help clients maintain compliance documentation, financial tracking, and reporting in one unified space. This ensures you’re prepared when STA becomes the new standard.

CDS Enhancement and Real-Time Declaration Expectations

With the full transition to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) already in progress, HMRC’s roadmap outlines further developments in automation, speed, and interoperability. The goal is to enable near-real-time processing of import and export declarations — with future phases focusing on:

Streamlined integration for software providers and declarants

Automated checks on tariff codes, valuation, and origin

Improved use of APIs to reduce manual errors and speed up clearance

This marks a shift in expectations — customs operations will need to run faster and more accurately than ever before.

How NGT supports you:
As a customs brokerage near LHR with robust CDS experience, NG Terminal provides end-to-end digital customs clearance, from declaration filing to compliance checks. Our team works closely with clients and software partners to ensure declarations are accurate, timely, and audit-ready.

Digital Transformation in Excise Movement Control

Excise goods — including alcohol, tobacco, and certain fuels — are set to be a key focus of HMRC’s digital reforms. The plan outlines updates to the Excise Movement and Control System (EMCS) that will further digitise:

Movement notifications under duty suspension

Validation of dispatch/receipt data between warehouses

Reconciliation of stock and excise duty positions

With tighter controls and digital-only validation of movements, businesses in the excise space will need to ensure they have infrastructure in place to manage records, timelines, and HMRC reporting obligations.

How NGT supports you:
NG Terminal operates a fully licensed excise bonded warehouse. We help businesses import, store, and move excise goods under duty suspension while ensuring complete EMCS compliance. Our bonded handling and excise support services are tailored to help clients meet HMRC’s increasingly stringent digital standards — without disrupting their supply chain.

Looking Ahead: Digital-First Compliance is the New Normal

HMRC’s 2025–2026 roadmap sends a clear message: the UK tax and customs system is going fully digital. This shift brings long-term benefits, including faster processing, lower paperwork burden, and improved transparency. But it also raises the bar for operational readiness — particularly for businesses moving regulated goods like excise products.

At NG Terminal, we are helping clients adapt to this new landscape through:

Integrated digital warehousing and customs services

API-enabled reporting tools via MyNGT

Proactive regulatory updates and compliance training

Whether you’re an importer of general cargo or an excise trader managing bonded inventory, our goal is to ensure your business remains fully compliant, agile, and future-ready.

Contact our team at ngtbd@ng-terminal.com to find out how we can help you navigate HMRC’s digital transformation — and unlock smarter logistics solutions.