HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed the appointment of IT services provider Netcompany to deliver a new digital system for the Trader Support Service (TSS), supporting goods movement between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The contract, announced in December, forms part of ongoing efforts to streamline trade operations in response to the continued adjustments required by the post-Brexit trading environment.
The agreement is set to significantly enhance how businesses access support and manage customs declarations, aiming to reduce the administrative burden on traders and adapt to changing policy requirements.
New digital system to streamline trade support
The new Trader Support Service system will be developed using Netcompany’s ERMIS customer platform, which will underpin the updated TSS customer portal. This system is intended to comply with Government Digital Service standards, promoting greater self-service accessibility for traders.
The objective is to help businesses manage their regulatory requirements efficiently and with reduced complexity, reflecting HMRC’s commitment to improving user experience in cross-border trade.
Contract value and timeline
Netcompany revealed that the contract holds a potential value of up to £245.2 million over a period of seven years. This significant investment reflects HMRC’s intention to provide long-term stability and development for the TSS, ensuring sustained support for traders adapting to the evolving protocols covering movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Enhanced features and customer portal technology
The updated system will integrate Netcompany’s AMPLIO platform, providing advanced casework management tools. These new features are designed to support agents in handling more intricate trader queries, increasing efficiency for complex cases.
The ERMIS platform is already in use to support HMRC’s transit activities within Borders and Trade, processing over two million trade declarations annually across the United Kingdom.
Adaptability to evolving trade policy
A key element of the new design is its ability to rapidly adapt to any changes in the trade policy regulating the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
This ensures that the service remains effective as new regulations are introduced, or existing requirements are updated. This adaptability is crucial as the region continues to navigate the post-Brexit trading framework.
Partnerships and commitment to economic growth
Netcompany has outlined plans to work with a network of partner organisations, including HGS, McKinsey, the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, Trade and Borders, clearBorder, 3Sixty Trade, Derry Bros, and Digicom.
The company also intends to involve small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and voluntary, community and social enterprises in the supply chain. This approach is designed to foster a more diverse ecosystem and support economic growth across the region.
Final Summary
HMRC’s decision to award the contract to Netcompany marks a significant step in the modernisation of the Trader Support Service. The introduction of an advanced digital portal aims to streamline business operations, reduce complexity, and ensure responsiveness to developing UK trade policies.
The partnership with a broad range of organisations, as well as a focus on supporting SMEs, signals a wider strategy to encourage economic activity and resilience. As businesses continue to adjust to shifting regulatory landscapes, further updates to the TSS may help ease the compliance process and minimise disruption.
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