EU customs reform in force: Data Hub timeline set
The EU customs reform took effect on 21 September 2026. A customs authority will be set up in Lille and the single Data Hub will phase in through 2034.
The European Parliament and the Council adopted the EU customs reform, Regulation (EU) 2026/2108, on 16 September 2026. It was published in the Official Journal and entered into force on 21 September 2026, with gradual implementation from that date.
A new EU Customs Authority will be based in Lille with roughly 285 staff and will run the EU Customs Data Hub, a single digital point where traders submit customs and product data once. Use of the Hub becomes mandatory for e-commerce on 1 July 2028 and for all traders on 1 March 2034; voluntary use for businesses starts in 2031.
Reliable traders under the new 'Trust and Check' approach are to get simpler procedures and fewer controls. For exporters selling into the EU, the practical point is that entry data will move to one digital channel over the coming years.
Please confirm: This summary is for information only. Confirm the details with your customs broker or financial adviser before acting.