EU council agrees on the 2028 Customs Reforms

6 August 2025

The Council of the European Union has agreed on a compromise text on the 2028 Customs Reforms proposal. The package will now move to the European Parliament for review and approval, with a view to adoption in early autumn.

The reforms aim to increase duty revenue and reduce fraud by simplifying and harmonising customs procedures. The European Commission’s proposals include:

• Creation of a single Customs Authority from March 2028 to strengthen border enforcement
• Establishment of a Customs Data Hub by December 2037 to support a more centralised and digitalised customs process
• Introduction of a "Trusted Trader" scheme, offering enhanced customs simplifications for the most reliable traders
• Removal of the €150 customs duty exemption, meaning customs duty would apply to all imports into the EU regardless of value
• Extension of the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) to goods of any value
• Expansion of the “deemed seller” regime. Currently, Online Marketplaces (OMPs) such as Amazon and eBay are considered the deemed sellers under IOSS and must collect VAT on sales made via their platforms. With the removal of both the VAT and customs duty thresholds, OMPs will be responsible for collecting and remitting both VAT and customs duty on all goods sold, regardless of value.