Commission seeks views on upcoming EU customs reform

This reform will have a wide and deep impact on the safety of goods in our Single Market, the protection of EU requirements in all policy areas, regional and global supply-chains, and, crucially, EU crisis-management and security.

Recent shocks such as Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit have highlighted customs’ critical role in ensuring resilient and secure international supply chains, while continuing to uphold the EU’s core values. Customs also has an important role in the EU’s post-COVID recovery, as a key source of public revenue and a potential guardian of the EU’s agenda for strategic autonomy.

In recent years, however, EU Customs has reached its limit in fulfilling its role fully and effectively. An increasing number of EU policies to control at the border, changes in trade and technology, and new and emerging supply chain challenges have highlighted the limitations and flaws in the current EU Customs framework.

In her political guidelines, President von der Leyen emphasised the need

"to take the Customs Union to the next level, equipping it with a stronger framework that will allow us to better protect our citizens and our single market."

The Commission will come forward with proposals for a Customs reform package , to put this pledge into action.

The public consultation and call for evidence launched today will remain open until 14 September. Views and experiences are sought from all interested parties, such as businesses in the area of customs, including SMEs, customs authorities, national authorities in relevant areas, consumers and academics. The consultation builds on previous preparatory work in this area, including the recommendations made by the Wise Person’s Group on the Future of Customs, finalised earlier this year, as well as the Future of Customs in the EU 2040 foresight process.

The public consultation and call for evidence are available here.