News – Trade Facilitation Consulting

Measuring the impact of non-tariff measures in UK agri-food exports to the EU

by Andrew Grainger27th Sep 20257th Apr 2026

I would like to draw attention to a recent research project commissioned by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) examining the impact of non-tariff measures (NTMs) on exports of agri-food, plant and fisheries products from Great Britain to the European Union. The project was led by colleagues at The Andersons Centre in collaboration with Trade Facilitation Consulting and builds on earlier pre-Brexit research undertaken for Defra examining the cost impacts of various EU exit scenarios.

A Practical Guide to Cross-Border Facilitation – New OSCE Publication

by Andrew Grainger10th Sep 20257th Apr 2026

I am pleased to share a publication that I recently had the privilege of authoring for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE): A Practical Guide to Cross-Border Facilitation. The guide was commissioned by the OSCE Office of the Co-ordinator of Economic and Environmental Activities and is intended as a practical introduction for customs and other border officials, policymakers, practitioners, and private sector stakeholders working on trade and transport facilitation. I am very grateful to the team for involving me in this undertaking and hopeful that the publication will prove useful not only to those directly engaged in border management, but also to readers wishing to become more familiar with the broader field of cross-border facilitation.

DHL GoTrade Summit 2023

by Andrew Grainger5th Mar 20247th Apr 2026

It was once again a pleasure to have had a front row seat at the DHL GoTrade Summit and contribute expert commentary during the event’s interactive wrap-up sessions. The summit brought together leaders from across the public and private sectors to discuss the evolving landscape of global trade and supply chains.

The full summary report – produced with our help – has now been published and is available for download. It captures many of the key insights from the discussions and provides a useful overview of the challenges and opportunities currently shaping international trade.

Further details and the full report can be accessed here: https://www.dhl.com/global-en/delivered/global-trade/fostering-sustainable-and-inclusive-trade.html

OPSS International Conference 2023

by Andrew Grainger8th Oct 20238th Oct 2023

It was lovely to participate as panel speaker at this year’s “OPSS International Conference 2023: Prosperity & Protection – effective regulation for growth, trade and innovation ”. Just as in previous years, this important Office for Product Safety and Standards organised event that was held in London helped bring together regulators from across the world. It was a welcome opportunity to share and discuss insights about business regulation and effective trade facilitation. Further details about the event can be accessed here.

Deutsche Post DHL GoTrade 2022 Summit: How to boost inclusive and sustainable trade

by Andrew Grainger28th Jun 202228th Jun 2022

It was lovely to have had a front row seat at the GoTrade 2022 Summit and lend expert commentary during its interactive wrap-up sessions. The event was attended by leaders from across the public and private sector. The full summary report – produced with our help – has just been published and is ready for download. Noteworthy is that it also includes a long list of helpful recommendations and action points.

“Cross Border Logistics Operations: effective trade facilitation and border management” – book reviews and endorsements

by Andrew Grainger13th Jun 202213th Jun 2022

Reviews and endorsements are always humbling . I certainly was pleasantly surprised to see so many for my book when it was launched in August 2021 … and of course for Prof David Widdowson’s lovely foreword!

Wonderful to see, too, is that the book is being procured by libraries around the world, and that it is finding its way onto university reading lists. Educators can reach out to the publisher for an inspection copy. And if you want to own a copy – its not for students only! – the publisher is offering a 20% discount code (use the KOGANPAGE20 code at checkout). Amazon UK, at least for today, is bettering that discount (21% – no code needed)…. but as they say, it can be purchased at all other good bookshops, too!

Book launch date: 3rd August 2021

by Andrew Grainger8th Jul 20218th Dec 2021

I am very pleased to announce that on 3^rd August 2021 Kogan Page will be launching my forthcoming book “Cross-border Logistics Operations, effective trade facilitation and border management”. This book has been a long time in the making and has received wonderful endorsements.

Advance orders with a 20% discount code (CROSSBORDER20) can be placed directly with the publisher at: https://www.koganpage.com /cblog. A sample chapter is available for free. Orders can also be placed at other major book retailers around the world.

The Irish Times explains: How you can get in shape for a no-sweat Brexit

by Andrew Grainger24th Aug 20209th Jul 2021

It would be far fetched to claim that Brexit is ‘no-sweat’, especially if you are new to trade and customs procedures and their implications – not to mention the many added costs associated with tariffs, paperwork, planning and transport. Nevertheless, some preparation can go a long way. Training and awareness of what is required is essential; and I am incredibly proud of the very positive feedback from the Irish SME business community about the training that we delivered in partnership with KGH for Enterprise Ireland and Ireland’s Local Enterprise Offices. Some of the advice provided in those workshops has been prominently featured in the Irish Times article. You can find it here.

Please feel free to reach out to us for similar training and support.

Event in Köln: 9. Thementag Außenwirtschaft

by Andrew Grainger19th Oct 20198th Jul 2021

I look forward to participating at the forthcoming get-together of experts and practitioners at the forthcoming “Thementag Außenwirtschaft” organised by the Bundesanzeiger Verlag in Cologne, Germany. The event will be held in German on the 29th October 2019. Further details can be found here.

Implications of Irish border arrangements on future trade policy examined

by Andrew Grainger5th Jul 20188th Jul 2021

On the 4th July 2018 I had the pleasure of giving evidence to the UK Parliament’s International Trade Committee about the implications of Irish border arrangements on future trade policy along with:

Tim Morris, Chief Executive, UK Major Ports Group
Nick Platts, Head of Cargo, Heathrow Airport

Further details can be found on the UK Parliament’s webpages along with a recording on UK Parliament TV [Timestamp 11:06:20].