Monday, September 15, 2025

Shipping’s outdated paper chase

In an age defined by ultra-fast digital transformation, the global trade landscape remains anchored in a bygone era of paper. Despite the acknowledged benefits of going digital, international trade continues to depend heavily on paper-based documents and processes.

A new OECD policy paper advocates that it’s time to abandon the archaic “paper chase” and embrace a future where digital solutions are not just an option, but an enabler of more efficient, resilient, and sustainable trade.

The rationale for this shift extends beyond simple convenience.

Going paperless promises to significantly reduce trade costs, which, in turn, can boost competitiveness and foster more trade.

The OECD report quantifies these benefits with data, calculating that a 10% improvement in bilateral performance in automating border procedures, coupled with streamlined documentation and increased co-operation among border agencies, could lead to a 18% surge in global goods exports. A further reduction of 0.1 points in the Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (DSTRI) for electronic transaction frameworks, e-payments, and connectivity—an indicator of important domestic regulatory reforms—is associated with a 37% increase in global exports.

Beyond the direct economic gains, the report argues that digitalisation is a crucial tool for achieving broader policy objectives. It can support greater supply chain visibility and resilience, a need underscored by recent global shocks such as the Covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions. By transitioning from analogue to digitised information, businesses can track goods in real time, making it easier to mitigate risks and respond with agility to disruptions.

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