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The European Commission (EC) has proposed a major reform of the EU Customs Union to modernize and simplify customs processes. The EC, to this end, intends to introduce cutting-edge technologies and make use of real-time data, establish a new customs authority and enhance its competitiveness so as to keep pace with growth in e-commerce and cargo volumes.
The new EU Customs Authority will oversee an EU Customs Data Hub, which will act as the engine of the new system. Over time, the data hub will replace the existing customs IT infrastructure in EU member states, saving them up to EUR2 billion a year in operating costs. The new authority will also help deliver on an improved EU approach to risk management and customs checks.
In the reformed EU Customs Union, businesses that want to bring goods into the EU will be able to log all the information on their products and supply chains into a single online environment: the new EU Customs Data Hub. This cutting-edge technology will compile the data provided by business and - via machine learning, artificial intelligence and human intervention - provide authorities with a 360-degree overview of supply chains and the movement of goods.
At the same time, businesses will only need to interact with one single portal when submitting their customs information and will only have to submit data once for multiple consignments. In some cases where business processes and supply chains are completely transparent, the most trusted traders will be able to release their goods into circulation into the EU without any active customs intervention at all. The Trust & Check category strengthens the already existing Authorized Economic Operators (AEO) program for trusted traders.
