Policy & Compliance
The evolution of digital trade documents in the logistics sector
The UK government has launched the Digital Trade Corridor , a fi ve-year programme that will be a series of live pilot projects designed to test the practical bene fi ts of end-to- end digital trade
documents (ETD). By integrating digital document exchange into existing trade fl ows, the pilots aim to reduce administrative friction, accelerate shipment processing, and enhance data accuracy and security. Results from early pilots have been encouraging. UK sponsored trials reported shipments moving up to 40% faster, 89% fewer paper documents, a 90% reduction in email exchanges, and administrative cost savings of 15– 25%. Productivity also rose by around 67%, re fl ecting the ef fi ciency gains achieved when manual re- keying and document handling are eliminated. Programme participation Participation in the DTC programme was open to fi rms of all sizes and sectors, particularly those in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, life sciences, digital and creative industries. Selected businesses are matched with a government funded technology provider to digitalise their trade fl ows. Since the focus is on commercial documentation controlled by the trader, at the moment customs and border processes remain unchanged. As the logistics and forwarding community continues to adapt to a rapidly digitalising trade environment, initiatives such as the DTC pilots demonstrate that the bene fi ts of digital documentation are tangible and achievable today. With legislative, technical and operational frameworks now aligning, the UK is well positioned to pioneer the global transition towards paperless trade. BIFA encourages its Members to follow these developments closely and consider taking part in pilot schemes where appropriate. Participation not only helps shape the practical future of digital trade but also provides fi rst-hand experience with the newly developed electronic processes.
T he fi rst signi fi cant efforts to digitise trade began in the early 2010s when carriers sought to address inef fi ciencies stemming from using paper-based documentation. One of the shipping lines played an important role by launching an in-house digital solution that was based on blockchain technology to share real-time data. This platform represented a significant step toward replacing time-consuming manual processes. Traditionally, shipments relied on as many as 200 paper documents exchanged among over 30 parties within the supply chain, causing delays and signi fi cant operational costs. The developed platform showcased the ability of digitisation to cut transit times and boost ef fi ciency. Despite the technological advances, a key barrier to mass adoption was a lack of legal recognition for electronic trade documents. For years, English law recognised only the “possession” of paper documents, excluding their digital equivalents. This shortcoming limited the mass adoption of digital The turning point came with the UK Electronic Trade Documents Act (ETDA), which received Royal Assent on 20 July 2023, and entered into force on 20 September 2023. For the fi rst time, electronic versions of key commercial documents obtained the same legal standing as their physical counterparts. This milestone legislation unlocked new possibilities, allowing trade processes to shift away from paper and facilitate digital work fl ows. As digital trade documents now solutions and held back their integration into global supply chains. Turning point
enjoy full legal recognition, companies can issue, process, and use documents electronically by default. Technological solutions are already available and are also being developed further to meet ETDA requirements, from ensuring secure authentication to enabling collaboration between stakeholders. Since the introduction of the ETDA, we have seen a number of noticeable developments such as accelerated adoption of the electronic bills of lading (eBL) and the launch of the electronic ATA Carnet (eATA) system among selected countries. Building on the legislative foundation of the Electronic Trade Documents Act, the UK government has launched the Digital Trade Corridor (DTC), a fi ve-year programme that will be a series of live pilot projects designed to test the practical bene fi ts of end-to-end digital trade. Led by the Department for Business and Trade, the project focuses initially on trade lanes between the UK and Europe, beginning with France and Germany. The DTC programme enables participating companies to replace paper-based, business-to-business documentation, such as invoices, packing lists, delivery notes and bills
“ BIFA encourages its Members to follow these develop - ments closely and consider taking part in pilot schemes where appropriate
of lading with secure, legally recognised electronic trade
20 | December 2025
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