EU Council approves major reform of customs framework

On September 3, 2026, the Council of the European Union finalized the adoption of a sweeping reform of the EU customs framework, marking the most significant overhaul of the system in decades. This legislation seeks to modernize trade procedures, enhance the collection of duties, and improve safety checks for imported goods.

A central component of the new code shifts responsibility for customs duties and declarations from the final consumer to non-EU electronic commerce platforms. These platforms are now legally classified as importers when selling to EU customers. The reform introduces a new system of penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to 6% of the company's previous year's import value, the potential withdrawal of customs privileges, and restrictions on platform access. Additionally, the customs department has indicated that a new administrative fee for small parcels will be introduced by November 1, 2026, as part of the effort to manage the surge in global e-commerce volumes.

The initiative aims to streamline global trade while ensuring that products entering the internal market meet strict EU safety and quality standards, effectively closing loopholes that previously allowed non-compliant goods to enter the bloc.