October 26, 2026

📌 Freight Industry Launches Coalition to Shape Future Road Pricing

Seven leading UK transport and business organisations have joined forces to establish the Road Pricing Coalition, aiming to ensure the freight and logistics industry’s views are represented in future discussions on road charging.

Announced on 19 October, the coalition includes the Road Haulage Association (RHA), Logistics UK, the British International Freight Association (BIFA), the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), the Chemical Business Association, the British Association of Removers and the Construction Plant-hire Association.

The initiative comes as the transition towards electric vehicles raises longer-term questions about how road infrastructure will be funded as revenues from traditional fuel duties decline.

Rather than advocating a particular road pricing model, the coalition is calling for early industry involvement in the development of any future charging arrangements. Its priorities include supporting economic growth and decarbonisation, ensuring fair treatment of UK and overseas commercial road users, providing sufficient time for businesses to adapt and avoiding overlapping or inconsistent charging systems.

The organisations have also highlighted the importance of a coordinated national approach, warning that fragmented regional or local charging arrangements could create additional administrative complexity and costs for commercial vehicle operators.

For the freight and logistics sector, the coalition provides an opportunity to influence future transport taxation policy and ensure that the operational requirements of commercial fleets are considered before any new road pricing framework is introduced.

Source: Road Haulage Association, Road Pricing Coalition announcement

📌 New Trader Support Service Platform Goes Live as Legacy System Approaches Closure

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has launched the new Trader Support Service (TSS) platform, marking an important transition for businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The new platform went live on 20 October 2026, replacing the previous system for all new goods movements. The service continues to provide free support for businesses managing customs requirements under the Windsor Framework.

Existing TSS users have been migrated to the new platform and do not need to register again. However, businesses must complete the necessary account activation steps, including creating new login credentials and ensuring their company details and user permissions are up to date.

The outgoing TSS platform is no longer accepting new goods movements, although users can continue managing declarations associated with movements already in progress.

HMRC has confirmed that the legacy platform will remain accessible until 30 November 2026, allowing businesses time to complete outstanding activity before the service closes.

While the underlying customs processes and legal obligations remain unchanged, the new GOV.UK-hosted platform is intended to provide improved functionality and enhanced support.

Businesses using TSS should ensure that their access to the new platform is fully operational and review any outstanding declarations on the legacy service ahead of its closure.

Source: HM Revenue & Customs, Trader Support Service guidance

📌 UK Plans Removal of £135 Customs Duty Relief for Low-Value Imports

The UK Government is progressing plans to remove customs duty relief for low-value imports, a reform that could significantly change how international e-commerce consignments are processed and taxed.

Under the current arrangements, qualifying imported goods valued at £135 or less are generally eligible for customs duty relief. The Government intends to remove this relief as part of wider reforms designed to support fairer competition between UK retailers and overseas sellers, strengthen customs compliance and improve the quality of import data.

The changes are expected to be implemented by March 2029 at the latest, with the Government developing new arrangements for processing and collecting duty on low-value consignments.

Rather than requiring every parcel to follow standard customs declaration procedures, the proposed framework includes a dedicated system for low-value imports, designed to provide proportionate data and payment requirements.

The Government has also considered simplified tariff classification arrangements to reduce administrative complexity for businesses handling large volumes of lower-value goods. The final operational and technical requirements have yet to be confirmed.

For freight forwarders, customs intermediaries, express parcel operators and online marketplaces, the reforms could require changes to customs software, data collection, tariff classification and duty payment processes.

Although implementation remains some way off, businesses involved in cross-border e-commerce should monitor the development of the new framework and consider the potential implications for their customs clearance operations.

Source: HM Treasury, Reforming Customs Rules for Low-Value Imports