Source: European Parliament
On 20 May, Members discussed the Customs Union with Commissioner Maros Šefčovič, who highlighted the strategic importance of reforming the Customs Union as a response to evolving trade patterns and the increasing pressure on the integrity of the Single Market. Customs authorities, he noted, act as frontline defenders of the Single Market, ensuring that unsafe and non-compliant goods do not enter the EU.
However, the Commissioner stressed that the Customs Union remains fragmented and inconsistent, with substantial differences between national systems, which results in inefficiencies and increased costs. Šefčovič recalled the Communication on e-commerce published in February 2025 and explained that the customs reform aims to create a single customs data hub, reduce duplicative tasks among authorities, and enhance cooperation with market surveillance bodies. A key element is the introduction of handling fees for e-commerce items to address the growing burden placed on customs by the rise in parcel volumes.