Commission welcomes historic agreement to reform EU Customs Union
The Commission welcomes the agreement between the European Parliament and the Council, delivering a landmark reform of the EU Customs Union on March 26,2026. The most ambitious reform of EU customs rules since 1968 introduces new measures for e-commerce and launches a modern, data-driven customs architecture that simplifies procedures and enhances efficiency. With these vital upgrades in place, European customs will be equipped to adapt to the fast-changing landscape of international trade.
Customs authorities today face a multitude of challenges, including a surge in low-value e-commerce imports, increased risk of unsafe products and fraud, shifting geopolitical trade dynamics, and the threats of organised crime and smuggling. Customs play a vital role in maintaining the safety of the Single Market and its citizens.
More information is available online in the press release, the questions and answers and the factsheet.
See also
- The European Council and Parliament have agreed on a significant overhaul of the EU customs system, the largest since 1968, aiming to simplify trade and strengthen border controls, to be implemented through a new Union Customs Code (nUCC).
- Key changes include the creation of an EU Customs data hub, where companies will submit customs data centrally, with a phased rollout starting for e-commerce goods by July 1, 2028, and all goods by March 1, 2034, managed by a new decentralized EU customs authority in Lille, France.
- The reform also targets e-commerce and small shipments by introducing an EU-wide handling fee for customs checks on small packages from November 1, 2026, and abolishing the €150 import duty exemption to ensure fair competition and improve duty collection.
Source Taxlive
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