HMRC is seeking participants from small or micro businesses that are new to importing to join a research call that will test the functionality and accessibility of the Online Trade Tariff tool.
12 new or novice traders will engage in individual 60-minute remote sessions to review early service ideas.
You can register your interest using the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/VrnZ7CdHhK
Who HMRC is looking to talk to
HMRC is particularly interested in feedback from businesses that import infrequently, rely on couriers, freight forwarders, supplier or online guidance to understand requirements, find import charges or estimating the total cost of an import confusing, or are uncertain about what value to declare for customs purposes.
Therefore, businesses and individuals with extensive experience or specialist customs knowledge are excluded from this specific round of research.
Transformation Roadmap
The research sessions are part of the Transformation Roadmap announced by the government last year, designed to improve the overall customer experience and modernise the UK’s tax and customs administration.
The roadmap is the government’s digital-first approach to making declarations easier for businesses, thereby increasing compliance and closing the tax gap, which stood at £46.8bn in 2023/24.
Improving the functionality of the Online Trade Tariff tool is therefore key to the success of this project.
Prospective participants should:
· Be a UK-based owner, director, partner or employee of a micro or small business (one to nine employees) who is directly involved in purchasing or importing physical goods into the UK or be seriously considering importing goods
· Have imported goods within the past three years or be preparing to import for the first time
· Have limited knowledge or confidence in customs duty, import VAT, customs valuation or calculating the total cost of importing
· Not have dedicated customs or trade-compliance expertise within their business
· Have access to a laptop or desktop to join a remote Microsoft Teams session
Design solutions for new traders
Anna Doherty, technical director at the Chartered Institute, told Global Trade Today:
“The Online Trade Tariff is used by thousands of individuals every day and it is a great resource for those involved in international trade.
However, it can be a bit daunting and complicated if you do not know where to start.
It is encouraging to see that HMRC is looking to develop and design solutions for those new to international trade and importing to help them on their journey.”
Members can hear directly from HMRC on updates to the Online Trade Tariff tool at the Chartered Institute’s Customs Special Interest Group on 2 September 2026.
Member exclusive
