## Company Profile Ordem dos Despachantes Oficiais (ODO) — Portugal’s professional body for licensed customs agents / dispatchers (office contact: geral.lisboa@odo.pt). Acts as the national/regional organiser and representative of customs brokers and freight‑forwarding professionals in Portugal (Lisbon region contact). Core activities: customs clearance and representation, import/export documentation, advisory/training on customs rules, liaison with Portuguese customs authorities and port stakeholders. Position: a gateway organisation for SMEs and forwarders that handle outbound agri/food exports (wine, olive oil, canned fish, cork) and inbound industrial inputs via Sines, Leixões and Lisbon cluster. Scale: national association covering many small/medium brokerages and in‑house forwarders; exact member count not public in search results but implied to be the primary body for official dispatchers in Portugal. ## Pain Points 1) Compliance & data burden: CBAM (2026) and ICS2 (2025–26) require richer, earlier data and carbon/traceability reporting that many member firms lack the IT/process maturity to capture and report reliably. 2) Risk of shipment delays/DO NOT LOAD outcomes: incomplete ENS or poor documentation can result in pre‑arrival holds or loading refusals at main Portuguese ports, directly harming exporters (perishable agri cargo) and increasing claims. 3) Commercial & tech capability gap: Members face margin pressure vs larger digital 3PLs; they lack scalable buyer‑matching, export market intelligence and integrated fulfilment channels to grow exports (e.g., to Brazil/US) despite rising port capacity. ## Intel Summary === MULTI-DIMENSION RESEARCH === === 1. [MARKET EVENTS] – PORTUGAL CONTAINER PORT THROUGHPUT & INFRASTRUCTURE (SINES, LEIXÕES, LISBON) === **Overall positioning and trends (2024–2026 direction of travel)** - Portugal’s main container ports – Sines, Leixões, Lisbon (plus Setúbal as Ro‑Ro / mixed cargo) – are positioning as Atlantic gateways with a mix of deep‑sea transshipment (Sines, Lisbon) and Iberian gateway cargo (Leixões, Lisbon, Setúbal). A February 2026 logistics article highlights Portuguese ports as “Atlantic container hubs” with deep drafts (14–16m+ at Sines) and growing intermodal connectivity. ([gettransport.com](https://gettransport.com/articles/containerized-trade-flows-portuguese-ports?utm_source=openai)) **Port of Sines – scale, growth & transshipment role** - 2024 was the **best year on record** for containerized cargo at Sines: - Container throughput grew **+16% year‑on‑year** in 2024, reaching **1.9 million TEU**. ([apsinesalgarve.pt](https://www.apsinesalgarve.pt/en/news/2025/2024-is-the-best-year-ever-for-the-port-of-sines/?utm_source=openai)) - Sines retained its **14th place in the EU Top‑15 container ports ranking in 2024** (PortEconomics). ([apsinesalgarve.pt](https://www.apsinesalgarve.pt/en/news/2025/sines-strengthens-its-position-in-the-ranking-of-the-main-container-ports-in-the-european-union-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) - Function: Sines is described as a deep‑water hub combining **deep‑sea mainline calls with feeder/transshipment**; deep drafts >14–16 m support “latest‑generation containerships,” underlining its role in East‑West and North‑South trades. ([gettransport.com](https://gettransport.com/articles/containerized-trade-flows-portuguese-ports?utm_source=openai)) - Expansion program (Terminal XXI): - Quay length to be increased from **1,040 m to 1,950 m**, enabling **4 ULCVs + 1 feeder** simultaneously. - Super‑post‑Panamax cranes to rise to **19 units**; yard expanded from **42 ha to 60 ha**. - Rated capacity to rise from **2.3 million TEU to 4.1 million TEU**. ([apsinesalgarve.pt](https://www.apsinesalgarve.pt/port-of-sines/the-port/terminals/container-terminal/?utm_source=openai)) - Hinterland / rail: - Sines is benefitting from an “ambitious plan” under **Ferrovia 2020** to improve **road‑rail access towards Spain**, notably the **Sines/Évora/Spain** rail axis, enhancing penetration into the Iberian hinterland (especially Madrid). ([apsinesalgarve.pt](https://www.apsinesalgarve.pt/port-of-sines/the-port/terminals/container-terminal/?utm_source=openai)) **Port of Leixões – gateway focus & throughput pattern** - Leixões primarily serves **northern Portugal industrial/export cargo** with a gateway focus (manufacturing, retail supply chains), rather than pure transshipment. ([gettransport.com](https://gettransport.com/articles/containerized-trade-flows-portuguese-ports?utm_source=openai)) - Recent throughput: - **715,061 TEU in 2024** (container volume). ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leix%C3%B5es?utm_source=openai)) - Total cargo throughput fell from **19.5 million tonnes in 2019** to **14.4 million tonnes in 2024**, indicating some structural or cyclical softening in bulk/general cargo even as containerization continues. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leix%C3%B5es?utm_source=openai)) - The port is directly connected to the **national rail network via the Leixões line**, giving scope to feed Iberian hinterlands (Galicia / northern Spain), although current public sources emphasize its national gateway role more than broader transshipment. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leix%C3%B5es?utm_source=openai)) **Lisbon & Lisbon–Setúbal cluster – container and Ro‑Ro** - A 2026 real‑estate / logistics market note for the Lisbon–Setúbal port cluster reports: - **17.8 million tonnes total throughput in 2025**, **+2.1% YoY**. - **Container volumes around 640,000 TEU** across the cluster. - Setúbal processed **337,074 vehicles** in Ro‑Ro in 2025, **+6.2% YoY**, strengthening its auto‑gateway role for Iberia. ([realestate-lisbon.com](https://www.realestate-lisbon.com/news/market-trends/lisbon-setubal-port-cluster-sees-record-growth-signaling-major-boost-for-industrial-real-estate-investors?utm_source=openai)) - Lisbon handles a **mix of transshipment and gateway cargo**, providing central Portugal and parts of Spain with containerized access; it complements Sines (deep‑sea hub) and Leixões (northern gateway). ([gettransport.com](https://gettransport.com/articles/containerized-trade-flows-portuguese-ports?utm_source=openai)) **Transshipment & competitive positioning (2026 narrative)** - 2026 commentary on containerized trade flows underscores: - Sines’ deep‑sea transshipment and hub role along main East‑West / North‑South routes. - Lisbon acting as a secondary hub with both feeder and regional gateway cargo. - Competitive terminal pricing and high productivity at Portuguese ports enabling **lower unit costs per TEU**, which is attractive for mainline carriers recalibrating networks after Red Sea disruptions and EU environmental regulations. ([gettransport.com](https://gettransport.com/articles/containerized-trade-flows-portuguese-ports?utm_source=openai)) - The same analysis notes a **growing Ibero‑Atlantic port corridor** (including Spanish ports like Valencia, Barcelona, Algeciras) with double‑digit TEU growth at some Spanish peers in 2024, framing Sines’ +16% in a highly competitive regional context. ([apsinesalgarve.pt](https://www.apsinesalgarve.pt/en/news/2025/sines-strengthens-its-position-in-the-ranking-of-the-main-container-ports-in-the-european-union-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) **Rail links to Spain – 2025–2026 status & implications** - EU and Portuguese government programs (**Ferrovia 2020**, related TEN‑T funding) prioritize: - Upgrading **Sines–Évora–Badajoz (Spain) corridor**, with design speeds and axle loads suitable for heavy freight, effectively making Sines a maritime “gateway” to Spain’s interior. ([apsinesalgarve.pt](https://www.apsinesalgarve.pt/port-of-sines/the-port/terminals/container-terminal/?utm_source=openai)) - By 2025, EU customs security authorities indicated that **rail and road operators were technically ready** for ICS2 obligations from **1 September 2025**, which reinforces the push to digitized, integrated rail corridors for Sines–Spain flows (see also ICS2 note in section 3). ([taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2-0/import-control-system-2-release-1_en?utm_source=openai)) **Key implications for containerized food & agri flows** - Sines’ capacity uplift from 2.3m to **4.1m TEU**, combined with enhanced rail links to Spain, should support: - Larger volumes of reefer and dry foodstuff containers (wine, olive oil, canned fish, cork‑related products, bulk‑to‑box conversions). - More competitive transshipment options for Atlantic South‑North and Europe–South America trades, relevant to Brazilian and other agri origins routing via Portugal. ([gettransport.com](https://gettransport.com/articles/containerized-trade-flows-portuguese-ports?utm_source=openai)) Sources for this section: ([apsinesalgarve.pt](https://www.apsinesalgarve.pt/en/news/2025/2024-is-the-best-year-ever-for-the-port-of-sines/?utm_source=openai)) === 2. [DEMAND SIGNALS] – PORTUGAL EXPORTS (WINE, OLIVE OIL, CANNED FISH, CORK) & TRADE PARTNERS (INCLUDING CHINA, BRAZIL, SPAIN) === **Macro trade pattern (2024–early 2026)** - In **2024**, the EU absorbed **~71% of Portugal’s total goods exports**; the EU also provided **~74.5% of imports**. ([portugalglobal.pt](https://www.portugalglobal.pt/media/hwflemgl/portugal-fact-sheet.pdf?utm_source=openai)) - As of **February 2026**, Portugal’s main export markets are: - **Spain ~26% of exports**, - **Germany ~13.9%**, followed by France, the UK, and the US. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal?utm_source=openai)) - Main import markets (2026): - **Spain ~32.9%**, - **Germany ~11.9%**, with France, the Netherlands, Italy and China also key suppliers. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal?utm_source=openai)) - A 2025 USDA Exporter Guide reiterates that Portugal is a **significant food producer and exporter (wine, olive oil, cork, citrus)** but at the same time a **net food importer**, with Spain accounting for **about 47% of Portugal’s consumer‑oriented food imports in 2024**. ([apps.fas.usda.gov](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Exporter+Guide+2025_Madrid_Portugal_PO2025-0007.pdf&utm_source=openai)) **Wine exports – volumes, destinations, recent growth** - 2024 performance: Portuguese wine exports increased **+4.46% by value** versus 2023. ([portugalglobal.pt](https://portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2025/february/portuguese-wine-exports-rise-by-446-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) - Key destinations for Portuguese wine in 2024: - **France** remained the largest market by value. - Emerging/strong growth markets included **Brazil**, where imports of Portuguese wine rose **+7.5%** to **~€85.8 million** in 2024, overtaking the UK. ([portugalglobal.pt](https://portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2025/february/portuguese-wine-exports-rise-by-446-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) - The structural export pattern remains highly EU‑centric (France, Germany, Spain, UK), but with **increasing exposure to Brazil, the US and Canada**; these align with Lusophone and diaspora demand plus premiumization trends. ([portugalglobal.pt](https://portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2025/february/portuguese-wine-exports-rise-by-446-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) **Olive oil exports – production and trade context** - Portugal is the **world’s sixth‑largest producer of olive oil** and a net exporter; olive oil (along with wine and vegetables) is highlighted as a core agri export sector. ([apps.fas.usda.gov](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Exporter+Guide+2025_Madrid_Portugal_PO2025-0007.pdf&utm_source=openai)) - While recent 90‑day granular customs breakdowns are limited in public sources, structural patterns from 2024–25 show: - Major export destinations: **Spain, Italy, Brazil, the US** – with part of the trade consisting of bulk shipments re‑exported from Spain/Italy after blending and bottling. - Weather‑driven output volatility in Spain has tended to **support export demand for Portuguese olive oil**, particularly from EU buyers diversifying suppliers after drought‑affected harvests in Spain. (This is an informed inference grounded in regional harvest reports.) ([apps.fas.usda.gov](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Exporter+Guide+2025_Madrid_Portugal_PO2025-0007.pdf&utm_source=openai)) **Canned fish & seafood – niche but strategic** - Portugal is a major producer of **tinned/canned fish (sardines, tuna, mackerel)**. USDA’s 2025 Exporter Guide notes fish and seafood (including cod and fish fillets) as key items in trade, with strong processing/branding capabilities. ([apps.fas.usda.gov](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Exporter+Guide+2025_Madrid_Portugal_PO2025-0007.pdf&utm_source=openai)) - Canned fish exports are primarily EU‑oriented (Spain, France, Italy, Germany), with notable extra‑EU markets in **Brazil, the US and some Asian niche markets**. Public data in the last 90 days is more qualitative than numerical, but the sector continues to ride: - Premiumization (gourmet canned fish, innovative packaging). - E‑commerce D2C channels in North America and Asia. (Inference based on trade promotion descriptions.) ([apps.fas.usda.gov](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Exporter+Guide+2025_Madrid_Portugal_PO2025-0007.pdf&utm_source=openai)) **Cork exports – global leadership & destinations** - Portugal is consistently described as the **world’s leading producer of cork**, supplying a large share of global cork stoppers and other cork products. ([apps.fas.usda.gov](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Exporter+Guide+2025_Madrid_Portugal_PO2025-0007.pdf&utm_source=openai)) - Key markets structurally include **EU wine‑producing countries (Spain, France, Italy)** plus **the US and China** (for wine closures, flooring, and insulation materials). Recent 2025/26‑dated macro sources highlight that traditional sectors like cork still contribute meaningfully, although business services now account for a larger share of exports than in the past. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal?utm_source=openai)) **Trade with China, Brazil, Spain – 2024/2026 signals** - **Spain**: - Largest trading partner both ways (2026): ~**26% of exports** and **32.9% of imports**. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portugal?utm_source=openai)) - Around **47% of Portugal’s consumer‑oriented food imports** in 2024 came from Spain, underscoring deep integration of Iberian food value chains (fresh and processed). ([apps.fas.usda.gov](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Exporter+Guide+2025_Madrid_Portugal_PO2025-0007.pdf&utm_source=openai)) - **Brazil**: - Growing destination for Portuguese wines (wine exports to Brazil +7.5% to €85.8m in 2024). ([portugalglobal.pt](https://portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2025/february/portuguese-wine-exports-rise-by-446-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) - Also an important origin for **soybeans, beef and other agri commodities** imported into Portugal, often feeding EU‑wide distribution via Iberian ports (inference supported by USDA trade notes). ([apps.fas.usda.gov](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=Exporter+Guide+2025_Madrid_Portugal_PO2025-0007.pdf&utm_source=openai)) - **China**: - Not a top‑3 partner in aggregate trade, but a **significant extra‑EU market** for Portuguese **cork, wine and some seafood products**; China is also a major origin for manufactured goods and equipment imported into Portugal (electronics, machinery, textiles). ([portugalglobal.pt](https://www.portugalglobal.pt/media/hwflemgl/portugal-fact-sheet.pdf?utm_source=openai)) **Implications for demand signals (food & agri freight)** - Sustained growth in **wine exports (+4.46% in 2024)** and continued strong positions in **olive oil, canned fish and cork** point to: - Stable to rising **reefer and dry container demand outbound** from Portugal to EU, Brazil, North America and Asia. - With Spain as both the key export partner and largest food import origin, there is heavy **intra‑Iberian trucking and short‑sea container demand**, which may increasingly shift to rail/short sea as green freight incentives strengthen. ([portugalglobal.pt](https://portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2025/february/portuguese-wine-exports-rise-by-446-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) Sources for this section: ([portugalglobal.pt](https://portugalglobal.pt/en/news/2025/february/portuguese-wine-exports-rise-by-446-in-2024/?utm_source=openai)) === 3. [PROBLEM FRAMING] – EU FREIGHT FORWARDING 2026: REGULATORY PRESSURES (CBAM, ICS2, DIGITALISATION) & CHALLENGES FOR PORTUGUESE FORWARDERS/SMEs === **Regulatory stack hitting in 2025–2026** 1. **CBAM – Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (full regime from 1 Jan 2026)** - CBAM (Regulation (EU) 2023/956) entered **full effect on 1 January 2026** after a transition phase (2023–2025). ([hfw.com](https://www.hfw.com/insights/simplified-eu-cbam-comes-into-force-alongside-new-implementing-and-delegated-acts/?utm_source=openai)) - Initially covers **carbon‑intensive products** such as cement, iron & steel, aluminium, fertilizers, electricity and hydrogen, with a likely future extension to additional sectors. ([hfw.com](https://www.hfw.com/insights/simplified-eu-cbam-comes-into-force-alongside-new-implementing-and-delegated-acts/?utm_source=openai)) - Importers (or their **authorised CBAM declarants**, including indirect customs reps) must: - Register with national CBAM authorities. - Report embedded emissions per product and surrender CBAM certificates annually. ([hfw.com](https://www.hfw.com/insights/simplified-eu-cbam-comes-into-force-alongside-new-implementing-and-delegated-acts/?utm_source=openai)) - For freight forwarders, especially smaller Portuguese operators handling **steel, fertilizers or aluminium** via Sines/Leixões/Lisbon, this creates: - **Data‑collection burdens** (origin mill, production route, emissions factors). - New **liability and advisory roles** vis‑à‑vis SME shippers who may lack internal carbon‑accounting capacity. ([hfw.com](https://www.hfw.com/insights/simplified-eu-cbam-comes-into-force-alongside-new-implementing-and-delegated-acts/?utm_source=openai)) 2. **ICS2 – Import Control System 2, release 3 (multi‑modal coverage)** - ICS2 is the EU’s revamped **pre‑arrival security and safety risk system**; earlier releases covered postal/express air. - Latest guidance: - **Rail and road businesses** are expected to apply new ICS2 border security rules from **1 September 2025** (ENS data obligations). ([taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2-0/import-control-system-2-release-1_en?utm_source=openai)) - Commercial logistics sources (2026 blogs/guides) highlight that ICS2 **Release 3 in March 2026** expands coverage to **all air, maritime and road imports** into the EU, requiring **richer electronic data** (HS/TN codes, consignor/consignee data, detailed goods description). ([searates.com](https://www.searates.com/ru/blog/post/eu-customs-rules-2026-ics2-cbam?utm_source=openai)) - For Portuguese forwarders and SMEs: - Need to **file complete and accurate Entry Summary Declarations (ENS)** well before loading or arrival. - Increased **IT integration with carriers, customs brokers and shippers** to avoid holds at Sines, Lisbon, Leixões or inland border points. - Shared liability: freight forwarders become **“information managers,” not just transport organizers**, as one logistics advisory note emphasizes. ([acrosslogistics.com](https://acrosslogistics.com/blog/en/eu-customs-2026-ics2-cbam-eudr?utm_source=openai)) 3. **Customs digitalisation & e‑commerce parcel rules** - EU customs reform and ICS2 are part of a broader push toward **end‑to‑end digital customs**, including: - Central EU data hub for declarations. - Stricter low‑value consignment rules and **abolition of the de minimis VAT exemption**, hitting cross‑border e‑commerce parcels (not yet fully in force but signposted for this customs reform package). ([freightamigo.com](https://www.freightamigo.com/en/blog/customs-clearance/eu-customs-clearance-2026-cbam-ics2-vat-guide/?utm_source=openai)) - E‑commerce‑focused forwarders in Portugal (handling parcels from **China and other Asian origins** into the EU via air, ocean‑LCL and parcel integrators) face: - Requirement to provide **accurate HS codes and product descriptions for every parcel** (ICS2). ([searates.com](https://www.searates.com/ru/blog/post/eu-customs-rules-2026-ics2-cbam?utm_source=openai)) - Increased **risk of seizure/fines** for under‑valuation, mis‑classification or vague descriptions (“merchandise,” “samples”). 4. **Environmental & due‑diligence regulations beyond CBAM** - 2026 regulatory commentary bundles CBAM with other ESG trade rules such as: - **EUDR (EU Deforestation Regulation)** – now postponed but still looming for commodities like **coffee, cocoa, soy, palm oil, beef, timber**. ([acrosslogistics.com](https://acrosslogistics.com/blog/en/eu-customs-2026-ics2-cbam-eudr?utm_source=openai)) - For Portuguese importers/forwarders of Brazilian agri commodities (soy, beef, pulp), compliance will require: - **Geolocation data**, supply‑chain traceability, and documentation across all tiers. - Systems to prove deforestation‑free origin, which smaller Portuguese SMEs may find resource‑intensive. (Inference based on EUDR design and USDA’s note on Brazil–Portugal trade.) ([acrosslogistics.com](https://acrosslogistics.com/blog/en/eu-customs-2026-ics2-cbam-eudr?utm_source=openai)) **Specific challenges for Portuguese freight forwarders & SMEs** - **Data & IT capability gaps** - ICS2 and CBAM both **raise the minimum data quality bar**: more granular product, partner and emissions data must be captured at booking stage. - Many Portuguese SMEs still rely on **email + spreadsheets**; 2026 logistics commentary warns that without upgrading to **digital platforms / TMS with customs modules**, they risk non‑compliance and shipment delays. ([searates.com](https://www.searates.com/ru/blog/post/eu-customs-rules-2026-ics2-cbam?utm_source=openai)) - **Cost and administrative burden** - CBAM compliance (measurement, reporting, certificate purchase) will particularly weigh on: - **Importers of steel, aluminium, fertilizers** through Sines and other ports. - Freight forwarders who may need to become **authorised CBAM declarants** or closely coordinate with such entities. ([hfw.com](https://www.hfw.com/insights/simplified-eu-cbam-comes-into-force-alongside-new-implementing-and-delegated-acts/?utm_source=openai)) - SMEs may face **higher per‑shipment overheads**, eroding margins unless costs can be passed on. - **Risk of disruption at ports and borders** - ICS2 means that **incomplete or incorrect ENS data can lead to “Do Not Load” decisions** for air/ocean shipments or holds at first EU entry port. This is critical for just‑in‑time agri‑food cargo (fresh fruit/veg, frozen meat, fish). ([searates.com](https://www.searates.com/ru/blog/post/eu-customs-rules-2026-ics2-cbam?utm_source=openai)) - For Portuguese corridors to Spain (via Sines–Évora–Badajoz rail, road networks), **rail/road ICS2 compliance from Sept 2025** adds another checkpoint where poor data can disrupt flows. ([taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs-4/customs-security/import-control-system-2-ics2-0/import-control-system-2-release-1_en?utm_source=openai)) - **E‑commerce cross‑border parcels – tightening rules** - With ICS2 fully covering postal/express and the move to abolish low‑value VAT thresholds, online sellers shipping from **China to Portuguese consumers** must ensure: - Correct IOSS / VAT treatment. - Detailed advance data per parcel; many SMEs depend on marketplaces or 3PLs for this, creating **dependency and transparency risks**. ([searates.com](https://www.searates.com/ru/blog/post/eu-customs-rules-2026-ics2-cbam?utm_source=openai)) - Portuguese forwarders working with Asian e‑commerce sellers will need **API connections** to capture HS6/8 codes and declared values at order level. - **Competitive pressure & consolidation risk** - Larger, digitally‑savvy 3PLs and integrators may **absorb compliance costs more easily**, potentially accelerating **consolidation in the Portuguese forwarding market**. - SMEs focusing on niche segments (e.g., Portuguese wine, olive oil, canned fish exporters) may mitigate this by offering **specialised trade compliance support** (CBAM screening where applicable, EUDR readiness for Brazil‑sourced inputs, etc.) but this requires upskilling. (Inference based on 2026 logistics advisory framing.) ([searates.com](https://www.searates.com/ru/blog/post/eu-customs-rules-2026-ics2-cbam?utm_source=openai)) **Opportunity side – how forwarders can respond** - **Invest in customs & ESG advisory capability** (CBAM, EUDR, ICS2) to differentiate. - **Leverage Portuguese ports’ hub status** (Sines capacity expansion, Lisbon–Setúbal growth, Leixões gateway role) to position Portugal as an efficient compliance‑ready entry point for EU markets, especially for **Brazilian and African agri exports** aimed at the EU. ([gettransport.com](https://gettransport.com/articles/containerized-trade-flows-portuguese-ports?utm_source=openai)) Sources for this section: ([searates.com](https://www.searates.com/ru/blog/post/eu-customs-rules-2026-ics2-cbam?utm_source=openai))