Honourable Members,

I am delighted to be here today for this crucial discussion on customs matters.

Friday marks two years since the Commission adopted its proposal for the Reform of the Customs Union, an innovative package to modernize and strengthen our customs union amid rapid changes and geopolitical challenges.

In 2023, we drew conclusions from Brexit, the Covid-19 crisis, and the first sanctions against Russia and Belarus. We identified e-commerce as a growing trend and counted 370 pieces of legislation to be enforced on goods crossing the EU border.

Trade issues remain high on the agenda in 2025, with e-commerce continuing to expand. In 2024, 4.6 billion parcels were imported, and recent figures confirm this upward trend. The Reform of the Customs Union is key to addressing these growing challenges.

The Commissioner for trade and economic security is also responsible for customs because customs authorities oversee goods entering and exiting the EU. These movements are crucial for EU policies like trade and economic security.

Traditionally, customs are linked to the financial aspect of borders, collecting the EU Common External Tariff since 1968. This role remains vital, representing 22 billion euros a year, or 9% of EU Own Resources in 2023.

Customs enforce our trade policy by checking conditions for preferential duties, implementing quotas, and applying antidumping tariffs or export restrictions as needed, directly impacting EU businesses.

As EU product legislation diversifies, customs act as the Single Markets guardian, with the Customs Union Act as its external skin, ensuring compliance with EU rules, consumer health, environmental protection, and preventing trafficking of illegal goods.

Customs have proven crucial in enforcing sanctions, and in the context of potential trade diversions due to US-China tariffs, customs data and analysis are vital for decision-making.

Without customs, EU foreign economic policy and standards are less impactful, intentions lack full effect, and theres no level playing field or adequate business and consumer protection.

Now, lets discuss the Customs Union Reform.

The Reform was presented two years ago, and significant work has been done since then.

The Commission proposed this Reform to address evolving challenges for our Customs Union. Although one of the oldest European policies, it remains fragmented, generating costs and inefficiencies. Its time for the Union to act as one and be fully equipped to tackle existing and future challenges.

By modernizing our customs framework, we aim to create a simpler, more efficient, and digital customs system supporting our economy.

Weve established an EU Customs Authority, a decentralized agency pooling expertise to analyze customs data and support Member States in targeting controls. We need accuracy in selecting consignments for efficiency. This Authority also provides training and expertise to national customs authorities. It exemplifies the Customs Union acting as one and the value of an EU layer for trade flows entering or exiting anywhere.

To simplify processes and harness data potential, weve designed the EU Customs Data Hub: a common IT system serving businesses and customs authorities.

For businesses, the Hub means providing data once, reusable throughout the process, saving time and enabling operation in any Member State via the same IT tool. This facilitation applies to all traders, including SMEs.

For national customs authorities, it offers a comprehensive trade flow overview, instead of siloed data, enhancing capacity to analyze and detect suspicious flows.

For both, it represents savings of up to 2 billion euros.

The Hub is critical for EU data analysis capacity and Member States support, as the Hub and Authority together will transform customs controls.

The Reform also facilitates cooperation with other authorities, namely Market Surveillance Authorities, essential for enforcing EU acquis. The Commission will present its Single Market Strategy tomorrow, highly relevant in this context.

The Reform provides further facilitation for reliable businesses Trust and Check, and improvements in customs processes.

Additionally, the Reform addresses challenges related to increasing e-commerce trade flows.

Our proposal includes new rules, building on VAT success, requiring platforms to collect and pay customs duties, holding them accountable like other importers. This necessary change ensures basic obligations are met.

Regarding e-commerce, the Commission acknowledges the need for further action. Weve adopted the e-commerce communication in February 2025 and welcome Parliaments initiative to improve the proposal.

The Commission supports bringing forward the Reform to 2026 and has proposed a handling fee. Youve received our paper on this, and Im happy to answer questions.

In conclusion,

I thank IMCO for its swift, excellent work on the Customs Reform and overall support for this ambitious EU Customs Union reform.

Im pleased Parliament recognizes customs essential role as Single Market guardians and the need to strengthen the Customs Union with two key enablers: the EU Customs Authority and the EU Customs Data Hub. Without them, Reform objectives cant be achieved.

I hope Member States will soon find a Council mandate to enter Trilogues with us. The Polish Presidency expressed this ambition from the start to find a Council mandate by Junes end and has invested heavily in this effort, which we greatly appreciate. Two years after adoption, its time for final negotiation stages.

Especially if we want to anticipate parts of the Reforms entry into force, necessary to address e-commerce challenges and the current geopolitical situation. During my hearing, I supported your ambition to advance the EU Customs Authoritys start to 2026.

We look forward to continuing work with you on the customs union reform. IMCOs draft report strengthens my belief we can succeed in elevating the Customs Union together.