Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (DBIST, formally DBT) invites BIFA members to participate in a digital trade process related programme
The Digital Trade Corridors (DTC) programme is a UK Government-led initiative, delivered in partnership with the industry, to help businesses move towards faster, simpler, and more efficient digital trade processes. The programme is free for selected businesses and is open to businesses of all sizes that trade with Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The programme helps businesses replace paper or PDF-based trade documents with secure digital versions, reducing the time and effort involved in trade paperwork.
Results from one recent DTC pilot participant showed:
- 90% reduction in paper documents, with most trade documents shared and agreed digitally rather than printed, scanned and emailed.
- 50% reduction in admin time per shipment, saving an estimated 4 hours of administrative work per shipment.
- £100 saving per shipment, equivalent to around £1,200 a year based on 12 shipments annually.
More broadly, businesses taking part in the programme could benefit from:
- faster preparation and processing of trade documents
- reduced manual admin
- lower paperwork-related costs
- improved visibility and confidence across the trade process
- staff time freed up to focus on wider business priorities
- practical experience of using digital trade documents in a real trade environment
DBIST will give selected businesses free hands-on support and training from an industry partner to help them understand and use digital trade processes in practice. DBIST is hosting a free webinar for businesses interested in learning more:
Save time and money when exporting to the EU: Digital Trade Corridors Programme
Date: Friday 4 September 2026
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm
Register here: Business Academy event page
The session will explain what trade digitalisation is, how the DTC programme works, the benefits businesses have seen from recent pilots, and how interested businesses can apply to take part.
Further information is also available on the Business Growth Service guidance page: Guidance and support for exporting to Europe
The post Digital Trade Corridors (DTC) Programme – Participation and Webinar Invite appeared first on British International Freight Association.
