October 15, 2026

📌 New Trader Support Service Platform Goes Live on 20 October

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is preparing to launch the new Trader Support Service (TSS) platform on 20 October 2026, with businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland being urged to complete their preparations ahead of the switchover.

The new platform will replace the existing TSS system, which provides free support to businesses managing customs requirements for goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

Existing TSS users are being migrated to the new service and will not need to register again. However, businesses must complete the pre-enrolment process, create a new password and ensure that their company information and user permissions are up to date.

HMRC began issuing pre-enrolment instructions from 1 October, alongside guidance on accessing a test environment to help users familiarise themselves with the new platform. From 20 October, all goods movements taking place on or after that date must be submitted through the new TSS platform. The existing service will no longer accept new movements.

While the underlying customs processes and legal obligations remain unchanged, HMRC says the new GOV.UK-hosted platform will provide improved functionality and enhanced support.

Businesses using TSS should ensure their accounts are ready before the deadline, particularly where goods movements are planned around the transition date.

Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Trader Support Service users urged to prepare for new platform

📌 Spain Introduces Mandatory Digital Transport Documents for Domestic Road Freight

Spain has introduced mandatory electronic administrative control documents for domestic road freight operations, marking a further step towards digitalisation across the European transport sector.

Under Spain’s Sustainable Mobility Law, the requirement took effect on 5 October 2026 and applies to relevant domestic road transport operations, including cabotage undertaken by foreign operators. International freight movements passing through or entering Spain are not automatically subject to the same requirement.

The electronic administrative control document, known as DeCA, must be generated before the transport operation begins. Spain’s regulations require documents to be digitally generated in PDF format, include a QR code linking to a unique online record and remain accessible for roadside inspections.

Transport operators and other responsible parties must also ensure that the documents are retained for at least one year, in accordance with the applicable requirements. The Spanish rules form part of a wider European shift towards electronic freight documentation. Under the EU’s electronic Freight Transport Information (eFTI) Regulation, member-state authorities will be required to accept compliant electronic freight information from 9 July 2027.

For UK hauliers operating in Europe, particularly those undertaking cabotage in Spain, the changes highlight the importance of understanding national documentation requirements and preparing systems capable of generating and presenting compliant digital records.

Sources:

Spanish Official State Gazette (BOE), Electronic Administrative Transport Control Documents

European Commission, Electronic Freight Transport Information Regulation

📌 New Vaping Products Duty Introduces Additional Import Compliance Requirements

The introduction of the UK’s Vaping Products Duty on 1 October 2026 has brought new excise requirements for businesses manufacturing, importing and handling vaping liquids.

The duty applies to qualifying vaping liquids, whether or not they contain nicotine, at a rate of £2.20 per 10ml. The new regime introduces additional obligations for businesses involved in the supply and importation of these products.

Importers must ensure that the appropriate excise arrangements are in place and that duty is accounted for correctly when products are released for consumption in the UK. Where qualifying products are imported, Vaping Products Duty will generally be payable through the customs declaration unless the goods are placed immediately under an authorised duty suspension arrangement.

The new requirements also include approval and record-keeping obligations for businesses undertaking certain activities, including manufacturing and storing vaping products under duty suspension. Changes also affect travellers bringing vaping liquids into Great Britain. A personal allowance of 50ml applies, with quantities exceeding this limit requiring declaration and payment of the applicable taxes and duties on the full amount.

For freight forwarders, customs intermediaries and importers, the introduction of Vaping Products Duty reinforces the importance of accurate product classification, customs declarations and appropriate excise arrangements.

Businesses handling vaping liquids should review HMRC guidance to ensure they understand the applicable duty, approval and declaration requirements.

Sources:

HM Revenue & Customs, Vaping Products Duty guidance

HM Revenue & Customs, Excise duties and vaping products