On 26 March 2026, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament reached provisional agreement on the reform of the EU customs framework, including the establishment of the new authority — the European Union Customs Authority.
The EUCA is designed to act as a central operational capacity supporting the coordinated governance of the EU customs union. Rather than replacing national customs administrations, it strengthens them by providing shared intelligence, common analytical tools, and a framework for closer cooperation. Enforcement will remain at the national level, but increasingly guided by EU-wide coordination.
A key feature of the reform is the introduction of EU-level risk management based on continuously updated import and export data stored in a new EU customs data hub. Using this system, the EUCA will analyse trade flows across the Union, identify emerging risks, and issue recommendations to national authorities. This is intended to make customs controls more consistent and effective, reducing fragmentation between member states.
The authority will also play a central role in shaping common priorities and risk criteria. By developing shared approaches to inspections and controls, it aims to promote a more uniform application of customs rules across the EU, which has historically been uneven due to differing national practices.
Another important function is crisis coordination. In situations that require enhanced cooperation—such as supply chain disruptions or sudden surges in imports—the EUCA will support joint operational responses. It will develop preparedness protocols and may establish a dedicated crisis response cell to coordinate actions at EU level throughout an emergency.
In addition, the EUCA will be responsible for developing and managing the EU customs data hub and supporting the interoperability of national customs IT systems. This reflects a broader shift toward data-driven customs governance, where high-quality, shared information underpins both risk assessment and cooperation.
The authority will be headquartered in Lille, France and is expected to employ around 285 staff members. Its creation forms part of a wider effort to modernise the EU customs framework in response to growing trade volumes, the expansion of e-commerce, and increasingly complex geopolitical conditions.