Saatja: "IMCO Secretariat" <
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Saaja: "IMCO Secretariat" <
[email protected]>
Teema: Progress and ambition in the reform of the Union Customs Code (2023/0156(COD))
Kuupäev: 2025-12-04 08:16
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Dear Minister,
Please find attached a letter signed by the IMCO Chair, Anna CAVAZZINI, and
the Rapporteur, Dirk GOTINK, on the progress and ambition in the reform of
the Union Customs Code (2023/0156(COD)).
Kind regards,
IMCO Secretariat
European Parliament
Secretariat of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
<https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/imco/home/highlights> IMCO
Committee webpage
Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection
The Chairwoman
Rapporteur for the Union Customs Code reform D 201999 04.12.2025
D(2025)35723
To the 27 Finance Ministers
of the European Union
Subject: Progress and ambition in the reform of the Union Customs Code
(2023/0156(COD))
Dear Minister,
As Chair of the Internal Market Committee (IMCO) and Rapporteur for the Union Customs
Code (UCC) reform, we wish to underline the urgency of achieving meaningful progress on
this essential file. The Council conclusions at ECOFIN on 13 November and the European
Parliament’s resolution of 26 November on the SHEIN case demonstrate that both
institutions recognise the gravity of the situation. Nevertheless, we must express serious
concerns about the direction taken by the Council in the current negotiations.
Despite substantial technical progress, the last political trilogue revealed a wide gap
between Parliament and Council on the overall design and ambition of the new Customs
Code. A centralised EU customs data hub remains a cornerstone of the reform. It is crucial
for modernising customs, ensuring coherent practices, and addressing the surge of non-
compliant e-commerce goods threatening consumers, retailers, and EU producers.
Parliament considers it essential that data in the hub be treated as Union data; the Council’s
preference for maintaining national control risks creating bottlenecks and undermining our
shared goals of protecting the single market, combating fraud and organised crime, and
addressing unfair competition.
We see similar reservations regarding the establishment of the EU Customs Authority and
the harmonisation of penalties. While we respect national competences, a genuinely
European approach is indispensable for an effective reform. The EUCA cannot be merely
a collection of national structures; it must enable customs to operate as a coherent
European system.
Meanwhile, harmful products continue to enter the EU, with the recent example of pedo-
pornographic dolls sold online by SHEIN highlighting the urgency. Imports of low-value
items have quadrupled between 2022 and 2024, and consumer organisations report that
70% of products from Temu and SHEIN fail to meet EU safety standards. Member States’
unilateral measures, such as handling fees, show the pressure on national systems—but
without a common EU approach, non-compliant goods will simply enter through another
Member State.
B-1047 Brussels
We therefore urge the Council to show the ambition needed to deliver a modern and
effective customs system, built on a workable EU data hub, a capable EU Customs Authority
and stronger cooperation among administrations. As the Parliament’s negotiating team, we
are committed to a reform that truly safeguards the single market and protects EU citizens
and businesses. We trust the Council will demonstrate the political will required at this
decisive stage.
Thank you for your attention.
Anna CAVAZZINI Dirk GOTINK
Member of European Parliament Member of European Parliament
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