Customs, Digitalization and AI: Towards an augmented strategic function

Customsbridge — The AI-Powered Global Solution That Revolutionizes Your Customs Operations • customsbridge.ai

For many years, customs was viewed primarily as a regulatory and operational function. Today, it is increasingly recognized as a strategic lever for companies engaged in international trade. Growing supply chain complexity, intensified controls, expanding regulatory requirements, and rising compliance pressures are reshaping expectations of the customs function. In this evolving context, digitalization and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) represent both a significant opportunity and a fundamental structural challenge.

To bring clarity and objectivity to these transformations, CustomsBridge and SOGET, with the support of Classe Export Magazine, launched the Customs Barometer 2025, a French national survey conducted among nearly 400 companies, evenly split between SMEs and large corporations. The aim is clear: to provide an unbiased snapshot of the maturity of the customs function in the face of three key dynamics — regulatory evolution, supply chain digitalization, and the progressive integration of AI into customs processes.

The first major insight is that customs is now recognized as a strategic function by more than 52% of the companies surveyed. This represents significant progress compared with the situation observed just a decade ago. However, this recognition remains partly theoretical. Fewer than half of the companies actually integrate customs considerations into supplier selection, and only one in four consults customs teams when defining overall logistics flow strategies. The customs function is therefore at a tipping point: awareness has increased, but operational implementation is still incomplete.

In practice, 84% of companies involve customs in at least one logistical or operational decision, mainly in areas such as the choice of Incoterms, the organization of inbound and outbound flows, or the selection of logistics partners and freight forwarders. These figures highlight a clear rise in expertise but also reveal fragmented practices across organizations.

The second structural focus of the barometer concerns digitalization and AI. The question is no longer whether these technologies will transform customs, but how quickly and under what conditions. Nearly one company in two has already partially automated certain tasks, particularly customs declarations, regulatory monitoring, and document audits. AI is largely perceived as an opportunity to optimize performance and efficiency, although maturity levels vary significantly.

Perceptions remain nuanced. Fifty-six percent of respondents view AI as a lever for efficiency, while 28% consider it promising but still immature. A small minority express concerns, mainly related to regulatory reliability and the preservation of human expertise. This cautious approach highlights a central challenge: finding the right balance between intelligent automation and expert human oversight.

Beyond the figures, the Customs Barometer 2025 reveals a profound cultural shift. Customs is evolving toward a more fluid, responsive, and strategically integrated function. AI does not appear as a disruptive force replacing human expertise, but rather as a tool that augments it. One key question remains: how can organizations successfully manage this transition and position customs as a true strategic partner, capable of reconciling compliance, performance, and sustainable innovation?

To explore these insights further and access the full set of findings and analyses, the complete Customs Barometer 2025 is available in its French version via the following link: https://customsbridge.fr/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Barometre-IA-x-douane-.pdf

• 73% respondents cite regulatory complexity as the main external obstacle to performance
• 60% respondents cited a lack of training and internal coordination as a major obstacle to effectiveness
• 43% professionals believe that it’s likely AI will partially replace some human skills, but not industry expertise
• 55% respondents estimate that over 50% of customs operations will be automated within the next 5 years