Newsletters

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) has released its Customs programme Annual Progress Report on year 2024  detailing the activities and outcomes of the EU Customs Programme in 2024. The report highlights  the Programme’s continued role in supporting the customs union, particularly as it adapts to evolving demands linked to digitalisation, security, and global trade.

Throughout 2024, significant progress was made on the implementation of common digital systems, notably those underpinning the Union Customs Code (UCC). The report confirms that almost the entire Programme budget was allocated to digital customs infrastructure, reflecting its centrality to modern customs operations.

The Programme also remained a key forum for addressing challenges raised in the EU Customs Reform Proposal, with a particular focus on the complexities of e-commerce. In this context, 2024 was marked by heightened discussions and collaborative efforts to find practical solutions that can balance trade facilitation with effective enforcement.

Further, the Programme supported the work of the European Ports Alliance and contributed to actions set out in the Commission’s roadmap to combat drug trafficking and organised crime. This technical support reflects the broader strategic priority of securing European ports and logistics chains from illicit activities, while ensuring legitimate trade can continue without undue disruption.

The report also highlights enhanced synergies with other EU instruments, such as the Customs Control Equipment Instrument (CCEI) and the Fiscalis Programme. These links have helped maximise the impact of EU funding and promote a more integrated approach to customs cooperation and capacity-building.

In light of ongoing enlargement efforts, the Programme also extended support to candidate countries, helping them align national customs systems with EU legislation. This effort strengthens the customs union’s cohesion and reinforces shared standards across an expanding EU.

Overall, the 2024 report portrays a Customs Programme that is seeking to adapt to new challenges while laying the groundwork for long-term digital and operational transformation.