Welcome and mission statement

Algirdas Šemeta Commissioner (website)

Walter Deffaa Director General

Welcome to the web site managed by the Commission's Taxation and Customs Union Directorate-General. Under the authority of Commissioner Algirdas Šemeta, the Directorate-General takes an active part in the achievement of the strategic aims of the European Union.

In this context it aims to:

• manage, defend and develop the customs union as a vital part of protecting the external borders of the EU;
  Read more about
  • the customs strategy,
  • the calculation of customs duties (see value of goods; tariff; origin)
  • customs procedures, and
  • customs controls.
• tackle the tax obstacles that currently prevent individuals and companies from operating freely across borders and from exploiting the full benefit of the Internal Market and encourage changes to tax systems so that they support Community objectives such as competitiveness and sustainable development ;
  Read more about
  • the tax policy strategy,
  • personal or company tax,
  • VAT,
  • excise duties,
  • car,
  • other taxes.
• Respond effectively to the international challenges associated with customs and tax policies;
  Read more about
  • enlargement and
  • international customs co-operation agreements.
  • trade facilitation
• Facilitate better co-operation between Member States to combat tax and customs fraud.
  Read more about
  • tax co-operation, control and anti-fraud,
  • Customs controls
• It engages regularly in open dialogue with stakeholders and interested parties in order to ensure that rules and proposals keep pace with the reality of rapid change. Read more about
  • tax consultations and
  • customs consultations.

For a complete picture of our objectives, guiding principles and tasks read our mission statement. An overview of our Directorate General's management structure is available here.

Enjoy your visit !

Mission statement - Directorate-General for Taxation and the Customs Union

The mission statement is the Directorate General's "identity card", defining and stating the role and purpose of the organisation. It presents the service and sets out its core activities in accordance with the Treaty and the strategic objectives defined by the Commission.