EU in Singapore - Trade & Investment

The EU & Customs Security

Customs policy - Introduction

The Customs Union is a foundation of the European Union and an essential element in the functioning of the single market. The single market can only function properly when there is a common application of common rules at its external borders. This implies that the twenty-seven Customs administrations of the EU must act as though they were one.

These common rules go beyond the Customs Union as such - with its common tariff - and extend to all aspects of trade policy, such as preferential trade, health and environmental controls, the common agricultural and fisheries policies, the protection of our economic interests by non-tariff instruments and external relations policy measures.

Today, customs are facing new challenges: they must ensure the smooth flow of trade whilst applying necessary controls on the one hand, whilst guaranteeing protecting the health and safety of the Community's citizens. To achieve the correct balance between these demands, control methods must be modernised and co-operation between the different services must be reinforced.

For more information on customs security in the EU, click here.

To consult a fact sheet explaining the practical impact of the Customs Code update on supply chain security, click here

To view a list of frequently asked questions on Supply Chain Security, click here.