Customs

What the EU does

The EU’s customs union, established in 1968, is a key part of the EU’s role in the global economy today. It allows EU countries to trade freely among each other, while applying the same tariffs to goods imported from outside the EU.

EU customs policy protects the internal market, ensuring compliance with regulations and facilitating trade. Customs authorities collect duties, assess financial and non-financial risks and protect the EU from unfair and illegal trade, while also contributing to supply chain security and environmental protection.

However, the customs union faces significant challenges, including growing volumes of trade driven by e-commerce. Additionally, new legislation on sustainability, human rights and health often relies on customs to stop non-compliant products, which causes challenges for the existing infrastructure.

To address these challenges, the European Commission has proposed major reforms. These include setting up an EU Customs Authority which establishes a shared Customs Data Hub to replace individual national customs declaration systems. The goal is to simplify procedures, cut costs, and strengthen EU’s ability to monitor and respond to threats. This will help make the customs union a stronger, more strategic part of EU’s global position.

Key figures

€21.2 billion

Contribution of customs duties to the EU budget in 2023

77%

Increase in counterfeit articles detained in 2023 vs 2022

~95%

Percentage of import declarations cleared within 1 hour

Areas of action

Security and safety

Measures to ensure cargo safety and the security of international supply chains

Prohibitions and restrictions

Customs controls to ensure product safety and protect animal, plant and public health

Customs duties

Learn how goods are valued and duties calculated

Risk management

Policies to mitigate financial and non-financial threats to the EU, its businesses and citizens and its financial interests

Customs cooperation

Support for cooperation and information exchange between customs authorities

Customs laboratories

Scientific support and expertise for customs and tax authorities risk management

International affairs

Boosting cross-border trade and strengthening global partnerships

Union Customs Code

Legal framework for customs rules and procedures in the EU customs territory

Authorised economic operator (AEO)

Certifying trusted businesses, supporting risk management and boosting security and trade efficiency by granting faster customs clearance

Key achievements

In practice, the EU’s customs union is managed by the national customs services. They protect consumers, animals and the environment from goods that could be harmful, and they contribute to the fight against organised crime, terrorism and smuggling. Once goods have cleared customs, they can circulate freely or be sold anywhere within the European Union.
Effective customs administration is essential for global economic integration and national security. It can prevent revenue leakage and unfair trade practices while ensuring transparent and accountable tax and duty collection.
It can also have a profound impact on the ability to participate in global trade, affecting competitiveness and promoting economic growth, job creation and European firms' presence in global value chains.
Customs play a crucial role in safety and security, including the application of trade policy and sanctions, and can help protect national security by controlling the trade of dual-use goods.

In focus

EU Customs Reform

The customs authorities defend the Single Market by intercepting non-compliant products. With the surge of e-commerce and over 40% of seized products failing to meet EU compliance standards, they face unprecedented challenges.

The EU customs reform and the new EU Data Hub will enable real-time data sharing across Member States, advanced risk analysis, and coordinated enforcement. These measures will enhance security, optimise resources, and ensure smarter customs controls.

By fostering collaboration, innovation, and transparency, the EU customs reform will strengthen the EU’s resilience against global risks while reducing trade barriers for legitimate businesses.