Summary

In the March 2021 budget, the Chancellor confirmed plans to bring eight new freeport sites into operation across the UK this year. These plans have sparked a debate about both the benefits and risks of freeports. Do they drive employment and economic growth or do they simply create another tax haven which can be exploited by criminals?

Our latest briefing note explores the potential links between freeports and financial crime, highlighting notorious cases of criminal abuse of ‘luxury freeports’ and assessing risk exposure in the UK. We also outline practical recommendations for organisations operating in freeports to ensure that you don’t become the first port of call for financial crime.