- The Third Ordinance amending the Main Customs Office Jurisdiction Ordinance took effect on January 1, 2026, adjusting and redefining the responsibilities of main customs offices across Germany.
- The changes affect a wide range of customs tasks, including audits, investigations, and criminal or administrative offense procedures.
- Companies must ensure their processes and contacts align with the new jurisdiction rules to avoid legal disadvantages due to incorrect submissions.
- The EU and MERCOSUR states signed a partnership and interim trade agreement on January 17, 2026, creating one of the world’s largest free trade zones and gradually reducing tariffs.
- The European Parliament has requested a legal opinion from the European Court of Justice on the agreement’s compatibility with EU treaties, delaying its full implementation.
Source: blogs.pwc.de
Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.
Latest Posts in "Germany"
- German Government Adopts Action Plan to Combat Organized Crime, Strengthens Customs and Federal Police
- BGH: Separate Offenses for VAT Pre-Returns and Annual Returns—Major Change in Tax Criminal Law
- Questionnaire for VAT Registration of Public Law Entities – BMF Letter Dated 23 February 2026
- New VAT Registration Forms for Public Law Entities Announced by German Ministry of Finance
- BGH: Separate Offenses for VAT Pre-Registration and Annual Return in Carousel Fraud Cases














