Letter

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection The Chairwoman Rapporteur for the Union Customs Code reform

B-1047 Brussels

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.

D 201999 04.12.2025

2

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

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection The Chairwoman Rapporteur for the Union Customs Code reform

B-1047 Brussels

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.

D 201999 04.12.2025

2

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