EU Customs Union Reform: New Operators' Advisory Council, Export Tensions

Key Information

On April 17, 2026, the DGDDI established the Customs Operators' Advisory Council (CCOD) to structure dialogue between businesses and customs authorities in light of the ongoing reform of the Union Customs Code. This initiative comes at a time when the digitalisation of customs IT systems is accelerating, while international unrest impacts industrial exports.

Key Points

• DGDDI created the CCOD in April 2026 to foster operational dialogue with the customs profession (source: Le Moci, 17/04/2026).
• The Union Customs Union reform (UCC revision project, COM(2023) 258 final proposal) introduces new digitalisation and transparency requirements for operators.
• Tensions in West Asia have increased freight costs and disrupted supply chains. Indian manufacturing exports have dropped, according to Devdiscourse (12/04/2026).

Context and Challenges

The CCOD aims to unite stakeholders around major regulatory changes. The EU Customs Union reform, unveiled in May 2023 (COM(2023)258 final), foresees full digitalisation of customs management, introduction of new declaration processing systems, and stronger centralized controls. Operators need to prepare for the increased demands of these technical upgrades, particularly regarding goods classification, traceability, and stricter compliance verification, all within an unstable geopolitical environment.

At the same time, several key markets are experiencing logistics congestion and surging costs due to energy market volatility and regional conflicts (source: Devdiscourse, 12/04/2026). Exporters must therefore adapt their flow management strategies and transportation cost optimization approaches.

Impact for the Profession

Declarants and freight forwarders now face the obligation to follow customs IT system developments in real time. The professional community must strengthen consultation with customs authorities to ensure the operability of upcoming procedures (digitisation, pre-filling, automated classification). Exporters are updating their contractual risk management practices in response to transport disruptions and integrating new risks into their business continuity planning.

Next Steps

The inaugural CCOD meeting is expected in Q2 2026. The implementation schedule for new procedures will be adjusted after dialogue with the profession. Operators should prepare a comprehensive mapping of their flows, verify their capacity to interface with new applications, and anticipate training needs for classification and tariff nomenclature.

La création du CCOD le 17 avril 2026 marque une étape clé dans la gouvernance réglementaire de la profession export.
(Translation: The creation of the CCOD on April 17, 2026 marks a key milestone in the regulatory governance of the export profession.)

Source: Le Moci, April 17, 2026. See also Devdiscourse, April 12, 2026. UCC reform: COM(2023) 258 final proposal, published May 17, 2023.