This week, the European Commission announced proposed reforms to allow for a 'world-leading, data-driven vision for European Customs'.

What are the EU Customs Reforms?

The reforms aim to greatly simplify the current customs processes for businesses importing into the European Union, utilising technology and embracing the Commission's digital transformation. In addition to making customs for traders simpler, the reforms will equip customs authorities with the resources that they need to effectively and efficiently assess and stop imports which pose a genuine risk to the EU, its citizens and its economy.

The EU reform is set to make the customs framework fit for a 'greener, more digital era' as well as ensure the competitiveness of the single market, with factors such as e-commerce and shifting geopolitical realities and crises in mind.

What is the EU Customs Data Hub?

The new EU Customs Data Hub will utilise machine learning, AI and human intervention to provide authorities with an overview of the movement of goods along any supply chain, whilst users will now only need to interact with a single digital portal to manage their EU customs information without the need for multiple customs submissions when adding data for multiple consignments.

In addition, a 'Trust & Check' category of traders will be added, meaning that trusted traders will be able to move goods without any active customs intervention, complementing the current Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme.

When will the EU Customs Data Hub go live?

The EU Customs Data Hub will open in 2028 for e-commerce consignments, with other importers beginning in 2032 on a voluntary basis. The Data Hub will become mandatory for all traders from 2038, pending a review of the processes in 2035.

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