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The European Customs Union opened its “business” in 1968, by abolishing customs tariffs for trade in goods marking a first decisive step towards making the EU the world's largest trading bloc. Besides, the 28 national customs administrations of the EU member states have been acting as though they were one entity.

Over the past 50 years, the Customs Union has developed into a cornerstone of our Single Market, keeping EU borders safe and protecting our citizens from prohibited and dangerous goods such as weapons and drugs. It also facilitates an ever-growing portion of global trade: EU customs handled 16% of the world's commerce in 2017. 

Borne out of the landmark post-war agreements that paved the way for European integration, the Customs Union was established on 1 July 2018. The Commission is organising events at airports and schools across the EU to raise awareness of the customs extraordinary achievement.

See more in: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/50-years-eu-customs-union_en

The EU Customs Union: essentials

The aim of the European Customs Union is to protect society at large while making sure that legitimate trade can flow easily. The Customs Union defends against international trafficking and smuggling, protects consumers against illegal and dangerous goods, and preserves the environment and European cultural heritage as well as the financial interests of the EU’s states. There are 90 various type customs laboratories in the member states and EU institutions to carry out this job. Some labs specialise in certain types of analysis, e.g. toy safety. When human senses are not enough to detect certain types of illegal goods, customs officers partner up with sniffer dogs which specialise in detecting illegal drugs, suspicious food, explosives or even large amounts of cash. 

The European Customs Union is a unique arrangement in the world; it has been a foundation of the European Union and essential for the proper functioning of the Single Market. The Customs Union represents a single trading area where all goods circulate freely, whether they're made in the EU or imported from outside. This means that there are no customs duties at the borders between EU countries. Duty on goods from outside the EU is generally paid when they first enter the EU. From then on, there's nothing more to pay and no more checks. National customs services in all EU countries work together as one to manage the day-to-day operations of the Customs Union. Member countries share one single system for handling the import, export and transit of goods.

The EU Customs Union comprises all EU member states, including  Monaco and British territories. Over 114,000 customs officers work around the clock at airports, border crossings, ports, inland customs offices or customs laboratories. The EU's customs administrations need to work closely to facilitate trade and protect the health and safety of all EU citizens.

See more in fact-sheet at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-18-4288_en.htm?locale=en

Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, Pierre Moscovici, said on the occasion of the jubilee, that Customs Union has been a tremendous and unique accomplishment, as it allows Europeans to reap the full benefits of the internal market, keeping trade flowing and consumers safe.

He expressed his appreciation of the many thousands people who have been working and contributing to this European achievement over the past 50 years.

Customs Union in action

The EU's Customs Union was first provided for in the Treaty of Rome and in 1968 it abolished the customs duties levied at the borders between members of the European Community. Today, it is a single trading area where all goods can circulate freely, whether produced in the EU or outside its borders. Duty on goods from outside the EU is generally paid when they first enter the EU. In this way, customs ensure that those duties are paid and the financial interests of the Union and its Member States are protected. Customs also prevent products from entering the Union that pose a risk to the safety or health of EU citizens; they stop goods that have been trafficked and smuggled or present a danger to the environment and European cultural heritage, or goods which undermine the financial interests of the EU states.

To ensure the smooth functioning of the single customs area, EU Member States use a common set of rules, with the so-called Union Customs Code as its cornerstone. This Code, upgraded in 2013 and applied since 2016, means that EU countries rely on the same rules and procedures for handling the import, export and transit of goods. This stimulates competition and trade, improves efficiency, raises quality, and lowers prices for consumers.

Note: The Union Customs Code (UCC) is a key element of the EU actions to modernise the custom system. It provides a comprehensive framework for customs rules and procedures in the EU customs territory adapted to modern trade realities and modern communication tools. The UCC entered into force on 1 May 2016, but some transitional arrangements still apply, most notably for customs formalities which are still in the process of being gradually transitioned to electronic systems.

See more at: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/union-customs-code_en

National customs authorities in all EU countries are primarily responsible for the extensive day-to-day operations of the Customs Union and cooperate between each other and with the Commission. At the same time, wider international cooperation is crucial to protect the interests of European citizens and European business worldwide.

In this regard, the EU has signed more than 50 international agreements providing for customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance with 80 countries outside the EU to support controls and enforcement and simplify and harmonise customs procedures, which in turn reduces the administrative burden and costs for European companies.

The Commission recently proposed a continued financial commitment of €950 million for customs programmes in the next EU malty-year budget; the money should help to increase cooperation and data exchange between customs authorities as well as supporting and training customs officials in their work. A new fund of €1.3 billion has also been included in the EU budget plans to help the EU states purchase, maintain and replace necessary customs equipment.

More information in: - Factsheet; - more on campaign celebrating 50 years of the Customs Union in: https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/50-years-eu-customs-union_en. More information on international trade in: http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/eu-position-in-world-trade/statistics/ .

Commission press release at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-4265_en.htm?locale=en; Latvian version at: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-4265_lv.htm