Plans to reform the EU Customs Union are on the table

The EU Commission is planning a reform of the Customs Union. This is a significant step towards strengthening the single market and promoting trade within the European Union. The Customs Union, which has existed since the 1950s, aims to reduce trade barriers between member states and establish a uniform trade policy.

The reform of the EU Customs Union aims to modernise and simplify customs procedures to make trade more efficient and smoother. This includes the introduction of uniform electronic customs clearance and the harmonisation of customs procedures and documents. These measures are intended to reduce costs and bureaucracy for businesses, benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises in particular.

Another goal of the reform is to strengthen the protection of intellectual property and intensify the fight against product piracy. Increased cooperation between EU member states in monitoring the movement of goods will make it possible to identify and combat counterfeit goods more effectively. Attention will also be paid to ensuring that EU standards and norms with regard to quality, safety and environmental protection are also upheld in trade agreements with third countries. At the same time, the abolition of duty-free allowances for goods with a value of less than €150 for imports into the EU is to be implemented.

Comprehensive consultations of customs with stakeholders, among others with the DSLV Bundesverband Spedition und Logistik at national level, are to take place shortly, in which the plans, which have been kept under wraps so far, will be discussed and critically scrutinised. The European freight forwarding umbrella organisation CLECAT is closely involved in the coordination at EU level.