A new EU customs report has highlighted the growing pressure that rising e-commerce imports are placing on Europe’s border control systems, warning that traditional customs operations are struggling to keep pace with the rapid expansion of online cross-border trade.
Published by the European Commission, the report reviews customs performance during 2025, acknowledging the efforts of customs authorities while revealing notable differences in enforcement effectiveness across EU Member States. It stresses that customs agencies remain the first barrier protecting the Single Market from unsafe and non-compliant products entering from outside the European Union.
According to the EU customs report, approximately 6 billion items entered free circulation across the EU in 2025—three times the volume recorded in 2022. The sharp increase has been driven primarily by the rapid growth of e-commerce shipments originating outside the bloc.
Today, online shopping parcels account for more than 97% of all consignments arriving at EU borders. Despite the rising import volumes, the inspection rate declined to 65 controlled items per million imported products.
The report also found that fewer than 10 products per million were ultimately rejected at EU borders because of serious safety or compliance concerns. However, a large-scale customs investigation conducted by the European Commission during 2025 revealed widespread regulatory failures among products purchased through overseas online marketplaces. More than 60% of inspected toys, consumer electronics, cosmetics, personal protective equipment and food supplements failed to comply with EU product safety and regulatory standards.
Another key finding highlighted significant inconsistencies in customs enforcement across Member States. During 2025, the highest-performing country recorded a product detection rate 384 times greater than the weakest-performing Member State. To address these disparities, the Commission introduced targeted monitoring programmes and structured engagement with national authorities. Countries previously identified as underperforming have since shown measurable improvements.
The Commission has also revised its Integrated EU Prohibitions and Restrictions List, providing updated guidance on products that are banned or subject to import and export restrictions. The revised framework is intended to improve regulatory clarity for both customs officials and businesses trading within the Single Market.
The EU customs report is based on statistical information supplied by Member States regarding product compliance inspections conducted jointly by customs and market surveillance authorities under Regulation (EU) 2019/1020, covering both conventional imports and online retail shipments.
Looking ahead, the Commission said the EU Customs Reform, which takes effect in 2026, will introduce stronger measures to tackle non-compliant imports, particularly those linked to cross-border e-commerce.
As part of the reforms, the newly established EU Customs Authority in Lille will oversee coordinated risk management across Member States, while a centralised EU Customs Data Hub will gradually replace existing national customs systems. In addition, the upcoming European Product Act package, including horizontal provisions for the Digital Product Passport, is expected to improve information sharing, product traceability and enforcement against non-compliant goods entering the European market.
