Policy

Customs

The EU customs union allows goods to move freely within EU borders and helps business with streamlined procedures across the Union's internal market. It is managed by 28 national customs services acting as one. They protect consumers from dangerous imported goods and health hazards, the EU and its Member countries’ budgets, animals and the environment, and fight organised crime and terrorism.

Page Contents

Policies

  • Customs and security

    Customs-related security initiatives of the EU include the concept of Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and security cooperation with non-EU countries.

  • Electronic customs

    A vast majority of EU customs declarations for both import and export are now submitted to customs electronically, instead of using paper-format.

  • International trade procedures

    The EU has simplified and harmonised international trade procedures to make it easier for EU business to import and export.

  • International customs cooperation

    The EU signs customs cooperation agreements with its largest trading partners, which often contain provisions on security and simplification of procedures.

  • Customs Code

    The European Union's basic customs legislation is contained in the Customs Code and the Code's implementing provisions.

  • Calculation of customs duties

    A standard set of rules has been created for establishing the value of goods, which is used to calculate customs duties.

  • Customs co-operation programmes

    Supporting co-operation between national customs administrations - exchange information, develop skills and competences and share best working practices.​

  • Customs procedures

    The EU maintains extensive documentation on all aspects of customs, from how to make a customs declaration to customs formalities for ships.