CUSTOMS ECOSYSTEM CONGRESS TO FOCUS ON IMPLEMENTING EU CUSTOMS REFORM
With the new Union Customs Code adopted, attention is turning to how the reform will work in practice. The Customs Ecosystem Congress, taking place in Liège on 14 October 2026, will bring together EU institutions, customs administrations, trade associations, practitioners and academia to discuss the next steps.
The Congress marks the first anniversary of the Vilnius Manifesto. It will explore how its commitments to a more unified, cooperative, simplified and digital customs ecosystem can translate into practical implementation. A closed meeting of Manifesto signatories on 13 October will precede the Congress, which is open to the wider customs community.
The programme includes contributions from Matthias Petschke and Philippe Duponteil of DG TAXUD, alongside Enda Ryan, representing the Irish Council Presidency, and Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Vice-President of the Walloon Government. Customs administrations will also be represented, including by Frank Heijmann from the Netherlands, Luis Fernandez from France and Clara Van Hemelrijck from Belgium.
Academic and private-sector discussions will examine four central areas: Trust & Check and the import process, risk management, the EU Customs Data Hub, and the EU Customs Authority and special procedures.
CLECAT supports the Congress and will contribute through Dimitri Sérafimoff, who will participate in the private-sector roundtable on Trust & Check, import processes and risk management. For freight forwarders and customs representatives, implementation must provide clear answers on data provision, access and correction rights, and the allocation of responsibilities. It must also recognise their professional and advisory role in helping businesses comply with customs requirements, particularly SMEs.
The programme and registration information are available here.