🌏 Trade Modernisation and Simplified Trade Reform 

Action: Enabling Seamless (and Paperless) Trade Through Trusted Global Data Standards 

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Overview / Executive Summary 

GS1 Australia is playing a central role in Australia’s trade modernisation journey by helping government and industry simplify trade processes, reduce compliance burdens, and unlock digital supply chain innovation. Through advisory roles, technical working groups, and global standards alignment, GS1 is supporting efforts to make Australian trade more secure, efficient, and digitally enabled. 

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Background / Context 

Australia’s Simplified Trade System (STS) reform is a national initiative to streamline regulatory processes, enhance data sharing, and unlock productivity in international trade. The Department of Home Affairs, Customs and Border Force, Austrade, and other key agencies are driving this reform, supported by Ministerial advisory groups and technical input from industry experts. 

GS1 Australia has contributed strategically and technically to these efforts, including: 

  • Senior executive participation in the Ministerial Simplified Trade Advisory Group 

  • Input to the National Committee for Trade Facilitation via the Trade Technology Working Group 

  • Leadership in global trade digitalisation efforts via the ICC Digital Standards Initiative (DSI) 

  • Engagement with UN agencies (e.g., UNCEFACT, UNESCAP) to align global reform with Australian interests 

🔗 Austrade: Simplified Trade System

Objectives 
  • Support trade modernisation through global, interoperable standards 

  • Reduce complexity in border procedures and data submission 

  • Improve risk management and transparency through digital identifiers 

  • Ensure regulatory readiness for evolving international regimes (e.g., EU DPP, USFDA-FSMA) 

Approach / Implementation 
  • Advisory and working group participation across Australian and international trade bodies 

  • Co-chairing of ICC DSI working groups to define core data elements for digital trade documentation 

  • Collaboration with United Nations agencies to harmonise and pilot standards 

  • Engagement with industry via peak bodies including Export Council of Australia, freight forwarders, and customs agents 

📄 GS1 Case Study: Verified by GS1 – China Customs -

📄 [Role of GS1 in Simplified Trade Systems – Presentation] -

Trade Modernisation and Simplified Trade Reform > image
Outcomes / Impact 
  • Influenced international guidance such as UNCEFACT Recommendation No. 49 on transparent digital supply chains 

  • GS1 registries now used by customs authorities (e.g., China Customs) to verify product and party data 

  • Progress toward a globally harmonised approach to digital trade documentation 

  • Improved frameworks to address “piggybacking” and illicit supply chain activity through verifiable identifiers 

🛡 Example: U.S. Global Business Identifier Initiative recognises GS1 GLNs to improve upstream visibility for anti-terrorism screening - https://www.gs1us.org/industries-and-insights/by-industry/government-and-public-sector/gs1-us-and-customs-and-border-protection

Lessons Learned / Insights 
  • Interoperable global data standards are foundational to digital trade reform 

  • Collaboration across government, industry, and standards bodies yields scalable and secure solutions 

  • Trusted identification of products, businesses, and facilities is key to effective risk management 

Next Steps / Future Plans 
  • Formalise ongoing partnerships with government and regulatory agencies 

  • Expand use of GS1 registries to verify identity and product data across global trade corridors 

  • Support implementation of Australia’s Digital Trade Strategy, leveraging GS1 capabilities for traceability, transparency, and trust 

🔗 ICC DSI Standards Toolkit for Paperless Trade

🔗 UNCEFACT Recommendation 49 – Transparency at Scale

Partners / Stakeholders 
  • Australian Government – Home Affairs, Aust Border Force, DISR, Austrade 

  • GS1 Australia & Global – Standards development, registry infrastructure 

  • International Agencies – UNCEFACT, UNESCAP, WCO, ICC DSI, ADB 

  • Industry – Freight forwarders, exporters, customs brokers, certification authorities 

Consultation > Contact us
For More Information - Contact Us

GS1 Public Policy and Government Engagement Team 
📧 publicpolicy@gs1au.org
📞 +613 9558 9559 or 1300 BARCODE