Reform of the EU customs union agreed

The Enterprise Europe Network informs:

30.06.2025:

EU Member States have agreed on a common position on the reform of the EU Customs Union, paving the way for negotiations with the European Parliament.

The reform aims to respond to current challenges, in particular increasing e-commerce and global changes. The main objectives are to

• Modernization of customs procedures
• Strengthening cooperation between the customs authorities of the Member States
• Improving controls on imports and exports, especially in e-commerce

A central component of the reform is the establishment of the EU Customs Authority (EUCA), which will oversee a new EU customs data platform. This platform is intended to make data exchange considerably more efficient:

• Companies will only communicate with a single portal.
• Data for multiple shipments only needs to be transmitted once.
• Annual savings of around 2 billion euros by replacing fragmented IT systems.
• Technological development of the customs system for faster controls, less bureaucracy and greater consumer protection.

Overall, the reform should bring the following benefits :

• Reduced costs for businesses
• Better enforcement of EU regulations (e.g. in the areas of product safety, health, environment and climate)
• Improved collection of duties and taxes that benefit both the EU budget and national budgets
• Protection of the internal market and ensuring a level playing field at the EU border

Background:
The reform is based on proposals made by the EU Commission in May 2023 and recommendations from the Group of Wise Men on the future of the customs union.

Press release

Source: European Commission