Transforming Customs Tech: A 3x Faster Development Cycle

Success Story

Our tech legends joined a project that had been underway for a year and a half. During our initial architectural analysis, we identified a critical bottleneck in the development model at the core of the expected product. Through strategic communication and a clear presentation of the benefits, we successfully convinced the client to adopt a new approach. This shift enabled us to accelerate the development cycle by up to three times within the primary flow of the platform’s key module - Customs & Excise. The result was not only faster delivery but also a more scalable and maintainable solution that exceeded client expectations.

By demonstrating our expertise and delivering tangible results, we laid the foundation for a strong partnership that has now thrived for over three years - continuing to bring value and innovation to our client’s business.

The Client  

Our client is a dynamic startup based in Ireland, focused on transforming complex customs and excise processes through innovative technology. With a bold vision and ambitious growth strategy, they have previously collaborated with dedicated development teams across various countries. However, finding the right long-term technology partner proved challenging. We are proud to be the first team with whom they have established a truly lasting relationship - delivering consistent value, stability, and progress over the past three years.

The Challenge

The primary challenge of the project was achieving seamless integration with the government administrations - specifically the customs authorities of Ireland and the UK. This involved navigating complex regulatory requirements and ensuring compliance with ever-evolving standards. Adding to the complexity, a significant part of the integration required interfacing with legacy systems, some of which were developed over 30 years ago. These outdated technologies presented limitations in connectivity, documentation, and adaptability, demanding a high level of technical expertise and creative problem-solving from our team.

Moreover, the project scope was not fully aligned with the startup’s budget constraints. Balancing ambitious technical requirements with financial realities required careful prioritization, smart resource allocation, and a strategic approach to ensure that critical functionalities were delivered without compromising quality or sustainability.

Key Application Features & Results

Seamless Integration: Comprehensive support for the cargo import and export processes in both Ireland and the UK, ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.

AI-Powered TARIC Evaluation Engine: An advanced AI module that analyzes invoice data to generate a suggested list of commodity codes. These codes are a mandatory part of the customs submission process and are closely linked to all applicable taxes for exporters and importers.

Advanced Error-Checking System: A robust validation layer that prevents users from submitting incorrect data to customs authorities, significantly reducing the risk of rejected submissions.

Submission Process Optimization: Innovative tools that streamline the submission process, achieving over 80% efficiency improvement compared to standard industry practices.

Technologies

Java, React, Python, AWS