Brussels: European Union institutions have reached an agreement on a customs reform package that will impose additional obligations on online platforms and establish a new EU Customs Authority.
According to Anadolu Agency, the European Commission stated that negotiators from the Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament have agreed to overhaul the EU Customs Union framework. This reform is regarded as the most extensive revision of EU customs rules since 1968, aiming to adapt procedures to the swift changes in international trade, especially the surge in e-commerce. The reform seeks to simplify procedures and enhance efficiency through a more modern and data-driven system.
A key component of the reform is the establishment of the EU Customs Authority, which will be headquartered in Lille, France, and is expected to commence operations in 2027. This authority will coordinate and modernize customs practices across the EU's 27 member states, facilitate information-sharing, ensure uniform application of customs rules, and improve the detection and prevention of customs fraud.
The EU Customs Data Hub, a single digital platform for customs procedures across the bloc, will also be managed by the new authority. This platform will enable businesses to submit data only once, thus avoiding the need to navigate multiple national systems. The reform will also enhance the framework for trusted traders, providing highly compliant businesses with access to simpler procedures and fewer checks, while allowing customs authorities to focus on high-risk shipments.
To address the increase in e-commerce, the reform introduces a handling fee on imported goods to help cover the rising costs faced by customs administrations, including IT systems, staffing, data checks, and risk analysis. This fee is set to be implemented by November 1, 2026.
Under the new system, online platforms and sellers will be required to submit transaction data to the Customs Data Hub immediately after a sale. This will enable authorities to take action before goods reach the border. Platforms will also be responsible for ensuring that products comply with EU rules, with penalties imposed for systematic non-compliance.
The revised rules will treat online platforms selling into the EU as importers, holding them accountable for customs duties and product safety. Platforms violating EU regulations will face fines. The new customs legislation is expected to take effect 12 months after its publication in the EU's Official Journal.
Currently, goods valued at less than £150 ($172.7) imported from non-member countries are exempt from customs duties. As a temporary measure, EU countries have already decided to impose a £3 customs charge on online orders below £150 from non-EU countries starting July 1, 2026, with an additional handling fee to follow from November 1 under the latest agreement.
The Commission noted that 5.9 billion low-value goods were shipped directly to consumers in the EU in 2025, with over 90% originating from China. The EU has been considering new levies targeting purchases made through China-linked e-commerce platforms such as Temu, AliExpress, and Shein.