The EU Council and the European Parliament are preparing for the first customs reform since 1968
The Council of the EU and the European Parliament have reached an agreement on a fundamental overhaul of the EU’s customs system. The decision is designed to modernize the bloc’s tools to deal with the challenges posed by the rapid growth of e-commerce and complex geopolitical realities.
The reform introduces innovative mechanisms for collecting payments and strengthens controls on dangerous or substandard goods entering the European market.
A key element of the updated system will be the creation of a single EU customs data center. This centralized platform will serve as the main hub for interaction between importers and exporters and customs authorities, which will significantly improve the tracking of goods. It is also planned to launch a new decentralized customs authority that will oversee the work of the digital center and support national services in risk management.
“Today’s agreement marks the biggest reform since the creation of the Customs Union in 1968. The new customs code will allow us to address numerous challenges while ensuring economic security,” stressed Cyprus Finance Minister Makis Keravnos.
For conscientious traders, customs simplifications are provided for, which will help businesses save time and financial resources. At the same time, a new pan-European fee for processing small parcels is being introduced to strengthen control over the flow of goods from foreign online platforms. This decision was a response to the concerns of many European countries about the influx of cheap and dubious products from Chinese platforms.
“This modern toolkit will facilitate trade and ensure proper collection of duties in a simplified manner and with the necessary legal certainty,” Makis emphasized.
Legislators continue to work on the technical details of the package of documents before its final official adoption. The new rules will enter into force twelve months after their publication in the Official Journal of the EU. This will give customs authorities and businesses sufficient time to adapt to the new requirements and switch to digital interaction.
The reform of the customs sector is a logical continuation of the EU policy on protecting the internal market and consumer rights. It is expected that the introduction of uniform control standards will not only increase budget revenues, but also significantly reduce the share of counterfeit products reaching European households through e-commerce services.
