International trade still runs on paper. From bills of lading to customs declarations, stacks of documents follow goods as they move across borders. Despite the digital revolution, the majority of these processes remain analogue, slow, and expensive. The latest OECD Trade Policy Paper – The Digitalisation of Trade Documents and Processes: Going Paperless Today, Going Paperless Tomorrow (September 2025) – sheds light on why going paperless matters and how it can transform global commerce.
The promise of going paperless
The OECD study highlights a simple truth: cutting paper out of trade is not just about saving trees. It is about making global supply chains faster, more transparent, and more resilient. Businesses that trade internationally spend countless hours and resources preparing, verifying, and submitting paper forms. By digitalising documents and processes, those costs fall dramatically.
The numbers are striking. According to OECD estimates, if countries improve automation at their borders by just 10%, and at the same time simplify documents and strengthen cooperation among border agencies, global goods exports could rise by as much as 18%. That means more opportunities for businesses – especially smaller firms – to compete in international markets.
What “going paperless” actually means
The report breaks the transition into five building blocks:
- Digitising trade documents – turning physical documents like invoices, certificates of origin, or customs declarations into electronic versions.
- Digitalising processes – using technology to automate procedures such as pre-arrival processing or electronic payment of duties.
- Adopting digital technologies – from blockchain to artificial intelligence, making trade more secure and efficient.
- Standardising data – ensuring that documents speak the same “digital language” across systems and borders.
- Creating enabling regulations – adapting legal frameworks to recognise e-signatures, e-payments, and electronic transferable records.
The message is clear: these steps must advance together. If one lags behind – say, technology is available but regulations do not recognise digital signatures – the whole system slows down.
Why this matters beyond trade
Going paperless is more than a trade facilitation exercise. It connects to wider policy goals:
- Resilient supply chains: The COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and recent port disruptions showed how fragile global logistics can be. Digital trade processes help governments and companies see problems earlier and react faster.
- Sustainability: New regulations increasingly require businesses to prove the environmental and social impact of their supply chains. Digital documentation makes this reporting easier and more reliable.
- Inclusion: Lower costs and simpler procedures help smaller companies and women entrepreneurs participate more easily in global trade.
The challenges ahead
Despite progress, hurdles remain. Many countries have not yet adapted their laws to recognise electronic trade documents. Barriers to cross-border data flows are growing, with new localisation requirements and cybersecurity concerns. And while the private sector is pushing ahead – for example with electronic bills of lading – governments need to catch up with interoperable systems and supportive policies.
Sustainability is another frontier. While most new environmental and social regulations mention border processes, few specify exactly what documentation is required or how digital platforms should handle the data. This creates uncertainty for companies trying to comply.
International cooperation is key
The OECD paper also points to encouraging signs. Initiatives at the WTO, the G20, APEC, ASEAN, and through new Digital Economy Agreements are steadily building momentum for paperless trade. Private sector initiatives – such as the ICC Digital Standards Initiative – are driving data and document standardisation. Together, these efforts can make digital trade a reality.
A future without trade paperwork?
The OECD’s conclusion is optimistic but realistic. The technology exists, and the benefits are clear. What is needed now is policy alignment – both at home and internationally – to build a trusted, interoperable paperless ecosystem.
In other words, the end of trade paperwork is within reach, but only if governments, businesses, and international organisations push forward together. Going paperless is not just a technical upgrade; it is a strategic investment in the future of global trade.
Summary
- Trade is still heavily paper-based despite digital progress.
- Going paperless means digitising documents, automating processes, adopting new technologies, standardising data, and updating regulations.
- The benefits are huge: OECD estimates show up to an 18% boost in exports from smarter automation and cooperation.
- Beyond trade, paperless systems strengthen supply chain resilience, support sustainability, and make trade more inclusive.
- Challenges remain: legal gaps, rising barriers to data flows, and unclear sustainability documentation requirements.
- Progress is visible in WTO, G20, APEC, and private sector initiatives, but faster international cooperation is needed.
- The future of trade is digital – if countries act together to make paperless trade the new normal.
Summary by DigitalTrade4.EU