On 25 March, 2026, the EU Council and the European Parliament selected Lille as the host city of the future European Union Customs Authority (EUCA), a key institutional component of the ongoing reform of the EU Customs Union. The new Authority is expected to employ around 250 staff members and will play a central role in supporting coordination among national customs authorities, strengthening risk management and contributing to the implementation of a more integrated EU customs framework.
The following day, on 26 March, 2026, the European Parliament and the Council reached a political agreement on the broader Customs Reform package. The reform aims to modernise the EU customs framework by simplifying procedures, improving enforcement capacities and strengthening the Union’s ability to address evolving trade, security and e-commerce challenges. At the centre of the reform is the creation of the EU Customs Authority and the development of a future EU Customs Data Hub, which will progressively replace existing national IT systems and facilitate a more data-driven and coordinated approach to customs supervision across Member States.
The Reform also introduces significant changes for e-commerce flows. Online platforms will become the importer of record for distance sales, while the current €150 duty exemption for low-value consignments will be abolished. As an interim measure, a simplified flat duty regime for small parcels is expected to apply from July 2026, pending the gradual rollout of the EU Customs Data Hub.
The reform confirms the direction of travel towards a more integrated and digitalised customs environment at EU level. Improved coordination of controls, enhanced risk management and greater interoperability between customs and logistics data systems have the potential to strengthen both security and operational efficiency in maritime supply chains. At the same time, the operational implications of the reform for freight flows, data management and compliance requirements will require careful implementation to ensure that legitimate trade continues to move efficiently through Europe’s ports.
FEPORT supports the overall objective of modernising the EU Customs Union while consistently emphasising the need to preserve operational fluidity in ports and avoid unintended disruptions to logistics chains.
In its joint industry and trade statement on the Customs Reform, FEPORT and other signatories highlighted that reform is both necessary and urgent for Europe’s competitiveness and security but should be implemented in close cooperation with the private sector and in a manner that supports rather than constrains legitimate trade. As the legislative process moves towards formal adoption and implementation, maintaining this balance will remain essential for the efficient functioning of Europe’s port and logistics ecosystem.
