European Union customs authority
The EU is working to establish a new customs authority to strengthen cooperation between national customs authorities and support the effective functioning of the customs union.
Why a European Union customs authority?
The establishment of the European Union customs authority (EUCA) will create a central coordinating capacity and support national customs administrations.
National customs authorities in the EU face increasing challenges linked to growing trade volumes, the expansion of e-commerce, evolving security threats and complex global supply chains. Many of these challenges are cross-border in nature and the EUCA will support customs authorities in addressing them even more effectively.
To address these challenges, the Council and the European Parliament agreed on 26 March 2026 to establish the EUCA as part of a broader reform of the EU customs framework.
Main tasks of the authority
According to the agreement, the European Union customs authority will serve as a central operational capacity to support coordinated governance of the customs union.
In particular, it will:
- allow for EU-level risk management to support the work of national customs authorities from constantly updated import and export data contained in the new EU customs data hub
- help to establish priority control areas and risk criteria
- help to coordinate EU-level crisis management in the area of customs
The headquarters of the EU customs authority will be based in Lille, France, and it is expected to have around 285 staff members. It will be set up as soon as the regulation enters into force.
EU-level risk management
The EUCA will support the work of national customs authorities by developing and coordinating EU-level risk analysis, using the constantly updated import and export data information in the new EU customs data hub.
On the basis of threat assessments, it will periodically develop recommendations to support customs authorities in carrying out their tasks and promote a more uniform application of customs rules across the EU.
National customs authorities will remain responsible for enforcement, while benefiting from EU-level coordination and shared analysis.
Operational coordination and crisis response
In situations where enhanced cooperation is needed, the authority will support coordinated operational responses.
The EUCA will develop procedures and protocols to improve preparedness for customs-related crisis scenarios (e.g. measures to minimise disruptions to the flow of goods), strengthening the EU’s capacity to respond to emerging risks.
It will also be able to set up a crisis response cell to coordinate actions during crises and remain operational throughout the crisis.
Operation of the EU customs data hub
The EUCA will be entrusted with tasks related to the development, operation and maintenance of the EU customs data hub.
The new authority will support the interoperability of customs IT systems and facilitate the use of high-quality data to improve risk assessment and cooperation between customs authorities.
Benefits for citizens and businesses
By strengthening coordination and improving governance at EU level, the new rules aim to enhance the effectiveness of customs controls. This delivers concrete benefits for citizens and businesses.
For citizens:
- better protection against unsafe, counterfeit and illicit goods
- enhanced security at the EU's external borders
- stronger enforcement of EU customs and product safety rules
For businesses:
- more predictable procedures across member states
- faster and more efficient clearance for low-risk, legitimate trade
- fairer competition through improved detection of customs fraud
Legislative process
In May 2023, the European Commission presented a proposal to reform the EU customs framework, including the establishment of a European Union customs authority.
On 27 June 2025, the Council agreed on a partial negotiating mandate supporting, among other things, the creation of a European Union customs authority. This allowed interinstitutional negotiations with the European Parliament to begin.
On 25 March 2026, the Council and the European Parliament selected Lille as the seat of the authority. The authority is expected to have around 285 staff members.
On 26 March 2026, the Council and the European Parliament reached provisional agreement on the reform of the EU customs framework, including the establishment of the authority.
The EU customs union
Modernising the EU customs union
Single market
Last review: 23 April 2026