The Descartes Systems Group announced that customs brokerage Manifests Ireland has increased its annual customs declaration volumes from approximately 20,000 before Brexit in 2020 to 2 million. Powered by the Descartes Thyme™ customs platform and a long-term collaboration, the Dublin-based company has successfully scaled its operations, adapted to major regulatory changes and maintained the high levels of accuracy, compliance and customer service on which its reputation is built.

“Growth creates opportunities, but it also places new demands on your business,” said Derek Dunne, Managing Director at Manifests Ireland. “As declaration volumes have grown and customs requirements have become more complex, automation has helped us work faster and with greater accuracy and visibility. Descartes Thyme gives us the confidence to scale while continuing to deliver the compliance and service our clients expect. Underpinning that is a long-standing relationship with Descartes built on trust and a genuine understanding of our business.”

Today, Descartes Thyme™ sits at the heart of Manifests Ireland’s operations, helping automate key processes, reduce manual intervention, minimize errors and improve team efficiency. The web-based platform integrates with Irish Revenue’s Automated Import System (AIS) and Automated Export System (AES), enabling customers to create, submit and track declarations securely through a single solution. Support for individual and bulk submissions helps businesses process growing declaration volumes efficiently and make better use of data already held within their operations. The broader suite also supports processes such as transit declarations, pre-boarding notifications and goods vehicle movements, helping customs brokers manage trade operations with greater accuracy and visibility while maintaining compliance and high levels of customer service.

Beyond technology, Manifests Ireland cites the strength of the collaboration and support provided by the Descartes team as a key factor in its long-term success. “Customs brokerage remains a people-driven business,” Dunne added. “What has always stood out is the continuity of the relationship. We work with people who understand our business, respond quickly when we need support and collaborate closely with us as regulations and requirements evolve. That trust has been invaluable throughout our growth journey.”

The close cooperation between the two organizations has included support through major customs modernization initiatives and regulatory changes, including the implementation of systems such as AIS, AES and NCTS. During the period following Brexit, when customs declaration volumes increased dramatically, Descartes helped Manifests Ireland absorb unprecedented growth while maintaining operational efficiency, compliance and service continuity. Working together, the customs brokerage specialist has consistently embraced new requirements early, helping ensure smooth transitions and uninterrupted service for customers.

Manifests Ireland is now focused on the next stage of its business strategy. Having established a strong presence in Ireland and the UK, the company is actively exploring opportunities across mainland Europe.

“We are increasingly supporting customers with cross-border trade requirements beyond Ireland,” said Dunne. “As we expand into new markets, having a partner with global reach, proven technology and ongoing investment in compliance becomes even more important. Descartes gives us the confidence to grow knowing we have the infrastructure, expertise and support needed to serve customers across multiple jurisdictions.”

“Growing from approximately 20,000 to 2 million declarations per year is an impressive achievement and a testament to Manifests Ireland's expertise and commitment to customer service,” said James Stafford, Divisional Director, LSP EMEA at Descartes. “For more than two decades, our teams have worked closely together to help the company adapt to changing customs requirements, improve operational efficiency and support international expansion across Europe.”