This Week in Freight & Ports — Brussels (#11, 2026)
Customs Union reform agreement; Lille selected for EU Customs Authority; new handling fee for e-commerce imports; Parliament debate on customs duties; Belgium granted vessel derogation; anti-dumping duty amended.
March 22, 2026 to March 28, 2026
Customs Union reform agreement; Lille selected for EU Customs Authority; new handling fee for e-commerce imports; Parliament debate on customs duties; Belgium granted vessel derogation; anti-dumping duty amended.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🏛️ European Parliament
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission welcomes historic agreement to reform EU Customs Union
The Commission announced a landmark reform of the EU Customs Union after Parliament and Council reached agreement on a comprehensive overhaul of customs rules. The reform introduces new measures for e-commerce and launches a modern, data-driven customs architecture to simplify procedures and enhance efficiency. Customs authorities will be supported by the new EU Customs Authority (EUCA), headquartered in Lille, France, which will coordinate operations across Member States and manage the EU Customs Data Hub. The agreement removes the duty exemption for parcels valued below €150, introducing a €3 duty effective 1 July 2026, with a handling fee to be determined by delegated act and effective no later than 1 November 2026. Online platforms and sellers will be required to notify customs of sales and ensure product compliance. The EUCA will begin activities in 2027, and the Data Hub will be operational for e-commerce in 2028 and for all businesses by 2031, becoming mandatory in 2034.
Commission welcomes selection of Lille as seat for EU Customs Authority
The Commission confirmed the selection of Lille, France, as the headquarters for the EU Customs Authority (EUCA), following a joint decision by Parliament and Council. Nine Member States submitted applications; the final choice was based on strategic location and operational readiness. The seat selection is one of the final steps before concluding negotiations on the Customs Reform package, which aims to modernise and strengthen the EU customs framework. The Commission will oversee the establishment and initial operations of the EUCA until it becomes fully operational. The location will be included in the regulation establishing the new Union Customs Code and the EUCA.
EU road deaths drop by 3% in 2025
The European Commission published preliminary figures for road fatalities in 2025, reporting approximately 19,400 deaths, a 3% decrease from 2024. Notable decreases were recorded in Estonia (-38%) and Greece (-22%). Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Poland, and Romania are on track to meet the EU target of halving road deaths by 2030. Vulnerable road users accounted for 70% of urban fatalities, and the number of incidents involving personal mobility devices, including e-scooters, increased. The report confirms progress but highlights the need for continued action to meet the 'Vision Zero' target by 2050.
Commission registers European Citizens' Initiative on accessible and sustainable transport
The Commission registered a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) titled 'Fast, convenient, affordable, and above all climate-friendly transportation for all Europeans'. The initiative calls for measures to make train travel a viable alternative to aviation, including an EU-wide aviation fuel tax and the allocation of revenues to a European rail organisation. The ECI will proceed to signature collection, and if it gathers one million signatures from at least seven Member States, the Commission will decide whether to act.
Statement by President von der Leyen at joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Albanese
President von der Leyen addressed the recent escalation in the Middle East and disruptions to commercial shipping, stating that freedom of navigation must be upheld. She announced the conclusion of the EU-Australia Free Trade Agreement, which removes tariffs on industrial goods and aims to strengthen supply chains for critical raw materials. The statement underlined the importance of resilience and diversification in EU trade policy and highlighted enhanced cooperation on defence, research, and innovation.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/712 authorising Belgium to derogate from technical requirements for tugboat HAVENSLEEPBOOT 21
The Commission granted Belgium a five-year derogation from Annexes II and V of Directive (EU) 2016/1629 for the tugboat HAVENSLEEPBOOT 21, allowing the use of dual-fuel methanol/marine gasoil engines. The decision is based on technical documentation prepared by Lloyd’s Register and CESNI, with requirements for safety and reporting on formaldehyde emissions. The derogation encourages innovation in clean propulsion technology for inland waterway vessels.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/701 amending anti-dumping duty on iron or steel fasteners from China
The Commission amended Regulation (EU) 2022/191 to extend the anti-dumping duty applicable to Zhejiang New Shengda Fastener Co., Ltd. to Anhui Newshengda Precision Technology Co., Ltd., following a request and confirmation of business linkage. The TARIC code C853 now applies to both entities, aligning duty rates for related exporting producers.
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/681 entrusting OLAF with enforcement actions on shipments of waste
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/681 of 20 March 2026 entrusts OLAF with enforcement actions under Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 concerning shipments of waste. OLAF is granted powers to carry out inspections and coordinate actions on illegal waste shipments with cross-border implications, with access to relevant information from Commission services and executive agencies.
Council Decision (EU) 2026/730 on EU position at ICAO session concerning environmental protection standards
Council Decision (EU) 2026/730 establishes the EU position for the 237th session of ICAO, supporting amendments 3, 12, and 15 to Annex 16 (Volumes I-III) of the Chicago Convention. The amendments address environmental standards for civil aviation, and the EU position will be expressed jointly by Member States serving on the ICAO Council.
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/745: Norway's contribution to EUNAVFOR ASPIDES
Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2026/745 of 24 March 2026 accepts Norway's contribution to the EU maritime security operation EUNAVFOR ASPIDES for the Red Sea crisis. Norway is exempted from financial contributions to the operation's budget.
Decision No 1/2025 of the Community/Switzerland Inland Transport Committee amending EU-Switzerland rail and road agreement
The Community/Switzerland Inland Transport Committee adopted Decision No 1/2025 on 9 December 2025, extending transitory provisions in the EU-Switzerland rail and road agreement until 31 December 2027. The decision amends Annex 1 and maintains smooth cross-border rail traffic, updating compatibility reviews of Swiss national rules with EU technical specifications.
European Parliament
Parliament debate: Non-application of customs duties on imports of certain goods
On 26 March 2026, Parliament debated the proposal for a regulation on the non-application of customs duties for certain goods (COM(2025)0472, 2025/0260(COD)), with Bernd Lange (Committee on International Trade) as rapporteur. The session addressed customs duty exemptions and their implications for trade and customs procedures.
EU Council
Informal video conference of transport ministers on coordinated response to crisis
Transport ministers held an informal video conference on 21 April 2026 (Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council) to discuss coordinated measures addressing fuel price volatility and resilience in the transport sector.
EP Committee Work
IMCO Committee: Deal reached on Union Customs Code reform
The IMCO Committee announced a provisional agreement on the Union Customs Code reform, introducing a handling fee for each item entering the EU from non-EU countries and designating sellers and platforms as importers responsible for compliance and data provision. Companies established in the EU or represented by authorised economic operators or trusted traders will bear responsibility. Bulk shipments will benefit from lower fees. The reform also establishes the EU Customs Authority in Lille and a new data hub, with penalties for systematic non-compliance including fines and suspension of status. The press release includes a statement from rapporteur Dirk Gotink (EPP, NL).
TRAN Committee: Transport MEPs to visit Poland’s multimodal hubs
A TRAN committee delegation will visit Poland from 30 March to 1 April to meet national and local authorities, review multimodal transport hubs, discuss railway sector development, military mobility, drone technologies, and infrastructure security. Meetings include the Polish Minister for Infrastructure and regional officials in Warsaw and Łódź. The visit aims to support preparations for the review of the Connecting Europe Facility 2028-2034. Committee chair Elissavet Vozember (EPP, EL) will lead the delegation.
IMCO Committee: MEPs travel to China for first visit in eight years to focus on digital economy
A nine-member IMCO delegation, led by Anna Cavazzini (Greens/EFA, DE), will visit Beijing and Shanghai from 31 March to 2 April. The agenda includes meetings with Chinese political leaders, the EU Chamber of Commerce, and e-commerce giants such as Shein, Alibaba, and Temu. The delegation will also observe customs controls at Pudong International Airport and discuss compliance with EU digital market rules and product safety standards.
IMCO Committee: Future EU Customs Authority to be headquartered in Lille, France
IMCO Committee confirmed Lille, France, as the headquarters for the new EU Customs Authority (EUCA) after a joint decision by Parliament and Council. The selection followed a hearing and evaluation of nine candidates, with Lille chosen for its strategic location and operational readiness. Rapporteur Dirk Gotink (EPP, NL) commented on the significance of the decision for EU customs integration.
What We're Reading This Week
- EU strikes political deal on customs reform: EU member states agree on major customs overhaul to modernize border checks and strengthen enforcement across the bloc.
