European Union: Council adopted general approach on proposal for Regulation establishing Union Customs Code and European Union Customs Authority

On 27 June 2025, the Council of the European Union adopted its general approach on the proposal for a regulation establishing the Union Customs Code and the European Union Customs Authority. The regulation aims to provide customs authorities with updated tools to manage increased trade volumes, particularly in e-commerce. It is intended to help the EU prevent the entry of non-compliant, dangerous, or unsafe goods, improve the collection of customs duties, and carry out necessary controls without imposing excessive burdens on authorities or traders. The Council’s amendments clarify certain customs procedures to facilitate implementation by customs authorities and officials. The amendments maintain the existing authorised economic operators (AEO) scheme, which is widely used by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and includes measures to support SMEs in complying with the revised rules. It also introduces a handling fee to be collected by customs authorities on small consignments entering the EU via distance selling. Following the general approach adoption the Council will start interinstitutional negotiations with the European Parliament.