Conex: 40 years of expertise and a clear vision for the future of Customs.
Sommaire de page
Conex: 40 Years of Expertise and a Clear Vision for the Future of Customs
Under the dome of the Lille Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Conex brought together more than 200 clients, partners, and experts to celebrate 40 years of innovation in the service of Customs. This event was much more than just a convention: it celebrated the digital and regulatory transformation of a rapidly evolving industry, centered on a strong conviction: data has become the heart of the Customs sector of the future.
The topic of artificial intelligence—and its macroeconomic and operational impacts—was a recurring theme throughout the day. Internal and external speakers —including experts, clients, and partners—shared their analyses and insights, illustrating how AI is already profoundly transforming the Customs and supply chain industries.
Conex is now entering a new phase:
- Full integration of artificial intelligence across all of its solutions,
- Full interoperability with European customs systems,
- Preparation of the Data Hub and customs prediction tools,
- Supporting European companies in the face of the rise of automated inspections.
A French SME that has become a major player in Europe
Bertrand Gruson, President of Conex, discussed the history of the French family-owned company, which is recognized as the European leader in Customs Software and security solutions.
Now operating in five countries (France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark) and in Asia through strategic partnerships, with a workforce of 100 employees, Conex continues to pursue steady growth, driven by its technical expertise and a reputation for close customer relationships.
“Conex is, above all, a story born of the combined expertise in Customs Regulations and information technology. It is a story of trust, growth, and continuous innovation. We have built a solid company that has been supporting the evolution of International Trade since 1985 and continues to reinvent itself with a product portfolio that anticipates customer needs,” explains Bertrand Gruson, its CEO.
Conex Day featured a highlight: the unveiling of Conex’s new logo, designed to symbolize connection and constant evolution. A new logo to embody a company on the move, at the intersection of technology, regulation, and international cooperation.
An Unprecedented European Customs Reform
Conex Day provided an opportunity to examine the key stages of the European customs reform, which is set to accelerate between 2026 and 2030.
The speakers, representatives of professional organizations and legal experts— Olivier Thouard, Chair of the TLF OVS Customs Committee; Even Derozieres, Customs Affairs Advisor at TLF Overseas; Alicia Boissière, AUTF, Association of Freight Transport Users; Fabien Foucault, a lawyer specializing in customs and tax law and a partner at HARVING AVOCATS, alongside Conex, represented by Claire Fournier, International Development Manager—discussed the creation of the European Data Hub, the establishment of the European Customs Authority in Lille, the widespread adoption of the “Trust & Check” status, and the growing importance of self-assessment.
These changes are intended to replace the current 111 national systems with a common architecture that is more transparent, more secure, and data-driven.
When it comes to filing tax returns, the key is to generate reliable data. It is on this data that future simplifications, audits, and trust will be based.
Innovation and Artificial Intelligence: The Customs of the Future Are Already Here
The demonstrations Conex conducted on stage showed that AI is not just a promise, but an operational reality at Conex.
AI in intelligent document processing automates—without requiring training—the reading, extraction, classification, and structuring of data from a collection of documents in multiple formats sourced from around the world, and then feeds this data into the Customs declaration generation workflow, under the supervision and control of the declarant.
The intelligent tariff classificationTariff Classification involves assigning a code to a good in order to determine the applicable Customs Duties, taxes, an... robot, meanwhile, helps experts select the correct Customs Code through an extensive semantic analysis of product descriptions.
GlobeTraders: A New Concept for Seamless, Interoperable Data
Conex unveiled its new GlobeTraders solution via conex™.
Serving as a true data hub for International Trade, the platform provides comprehensive and continuous oversight of supply chain operations. It collects, converts, shares, and synchronizes information among all stakeholders without the need for re-entry.
It offers a high degree of customization to interconnect users’ specific tools and build new “data highways” for logistics and commerce among all stakeholders: business partners and government agencies.
GlobeTraders enables users to organize their own data orchestration starting at the source to automatically trigger the appropriate processing.
Natively integrated with the publisher’s ecosystem of solutions— Safe via Conex™ (ICS security declarations), Zen via Conex™ (collaboration and archiving), Customs via Conex™ (Customs Declaration entry),
Tariff via Conex™, Express via Conex™, Excise Duties via Conex™—it serves as the foundation for complete and seamless interoperability across all business needs.
“GlobeTraders via conex™ serves as the hub for trade, logistics, and regulatory data. A disruptive innovation , GlobeTraders™ unlocks data, facilitates compliance, and creates a common language among supply chain stakeholders,” concludes Bertrand Gruson, CEO of Conex.
Outlook for 2026: Conex’s Roadmap
This celebration of Conex’s 40th anniversary provided an opportunity to present the latest developments in European regulations, analyze the impact of these changes on data, and showcase Conex’s comprehensive and innovative technological response.
The company reaffirmed its vision of an interconnected European Customs system, where data flows seamlessly, in a structured and secure manner, between operators and government agencies.
PRESS CONTACT – C3M Agency
Michelle Amiard, michelle@agence-c3M.com
About Conex
Conex is a provider of software solutions dedicated to customs and security formalities. For 40 years, the company has been developing cutting-edge digital tools to support importers, exporters, carriers, and registered customs brokers in managing and automating their workflows. Its platforms, including Customs via Conex™, Zen via Conex™, and Safe via Conex™, are powered by artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to analyze documents, automate processes, ensure data reliability, and guarantee data integrity. Tariff via Conex™, the leading customs encyclopedia, integrates ALBA, an AI chatbot dedicated to Tariff Classification. LEO via Conex™ rounds out this suite of AI agents by handling the intelligent processing of commercial and logistics documents. Combined with consulting and training services, these solutions enable companies to balance productivity, regulatory compliance, and innovation. Conex serves more than 2,000 Customs offices across Europe.
“An anniversary isn’t an end; it’s a springboard. In ten or twenty years, you’ll still be able to count on Conex to stay ahead of the curve, innovate, and support you,” concluded Bertrand Gruson.
Customs Content to Explore
« Une nouvelle ère de gestion douanière » : interview de Bertrand Gruson, PDG de Conex
Bertrand Gruson, PDG de Conex, revient sur les enjeux qui animent l'entreprise et les utilisateurs de ses solutions.
Avec Conex, la douane fonce vers l’IA
Conex, leader du logiciel douane en France, a annoncé de nombreuses nouveautés liées au déploiement de l’IA dans ses logiciels.
Conex, 40 ans d’expertise et une vision claire pour la douane du futur.
06/02/2026 - Sous la coupole de la Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Lille, Conex a réuni plus de 200 clients, partenaires et experts pour célébrer ses 40 ans d’innovation au service de la douane.
Conex, la PME française qui digitalise la douane mondiale
Face à la complexité croissante des échanges internationaux, la société française Conex s’impose comme un acteur clé de la transformation numérique des formalités douanières.
Discover our solutions
A comprehensive software suite to address all your Customs Management challenges.
CUSTOMS via Conex™
Intuitive software for managing electronic customs clearance for all customs procedures. A secure SaaS Customs Solution connected to national and European customs systems for creating and submitting import and export customs declarations.
ZEN via Conex™
The international collaborative Customs Platform with built-in AI designed to collect, exchange, centralize, track, and archive all data related to the Customs Process, through to electronic archiving.
TARIFF via Conex™
The Customs Encyclopedia, powered by AI agents for the goods classification: Customs Tariff, NESH, NC8, publications and official texts, customs regulatory monitoring.
SAFE via Conex™
The perfect software for effortlessly managing pre-clearance formalities in Europe and the United Kingdom: ENS declarations (ICS2 EU, S&S UK), PNTS/ANTES, and Logistics Envelopes (ELO, GMR, PBN) in full compliance with regulations.
EXPRESS via Conex™
The solution designed for managing data related to the European H7 declaration, which is required for distance sales and e-commerce involving low-value goods imported from third countries.
ACCISES via Conex™
A software for managing excise-taxable goods, designed for the electronic processing of Export Accompanying Documents (EAD) and for managing excise inventory accounting.
FACTO via Conex™
The customs services billing software that allows you to automatically bill for your customs services based on declaration data.
EUROPSTAT via Conex™
The software that automates your Intrastat/EMEBI and ESD filings, ensuring compliance with reporting requirements for all your trade in goods and services within the European Union.