Newsletters

CLECAT took part in the 72nd plenary meeting of the Trade Contact Group (TCG) on 19 November, where the Commission and trade representatives reviewed several core files shaping the near-term customs landscape.

The discussion on UCC IT implementation highlighted the pressure on businesses to keep pace with multiple system rollouts, with stakeholders calling for clearer planning and more predictable timelines. Updates on CBAM focused on the continued alignment of customs and environmental reporting, an area where trade stressed the need for practical guidance to avoid duplicated obligations.

Eurochambres presented ideas on reducing bureaucracy and simplifying customs procedures, echoing long-standing industry concerns about administrative burdens. The session on customs valuation underlined persistent divergences across Member States and the need for consistent application of rules. CLECAT added that the EU’s fast-growing landscape of digital initiatives – from eFTI and eCMR to the DPP, the Customs Data Hub and the Maritime Single Window – is being developed across multiple Commission departments with limited coordination. This fragmented approach risks duplication, higher administrative costs and parallel systems for both authorities and traders. CLECAT stressed that early, continuous cross-DG cooperation and structured trade input are essential to avoid siloed solutions and future implementation problems.

The Commission also provided a state-of-play update on the EU-India FTA negotiations, noting progress on market access and customs cooperation. A further item concerned the new arrangements on rules of origin under the EU-Morocco agreement, following the recent exchange of letters.

Overall, the meeting reaffirmed the value of structured dialogue between the Commission and trade, ensuring that upcoming reforms remain workable for businesses across Europe.