EU Customs Digitisation And Data-driven Approach To Modernise Border Controls, Says European Commission

Digital transformation and advanced data use will shape how customs operate in coming years, according to Philippe Duponteil of the European Commission. Duponteil said the European Union is shifting towards "a more data-centric and data-driven approach to customs" to speed up procedures while maintaining controls across the bloc’s borders.

Speaking to the Emirates News Agency on the sidelines of the World Customs Organisation Technology Conference 2026, Duponteil explained that current EU work focuses on customs digitalisation and smarter data management. The aim is to support trade flows, strengthen security checks, and align customs tools with broader taxation and regulatory policies.

Duponteil said customs services perform functions far beyond physical border checks, as they also enforce legislation tied to different government policies. These include consumer safety, environmental rules and taxation. The central task, Duponteil noted, is to verify that every item entering or leaving the EU complies with applicable regulations.

He highlighted that meeting these wide duties depends on how data is collected, shared and reused by public and private actors. Duponteil stressed that customs must avoid extra burdens on companies, following the "one and only principle", where information is filed once and then reused by authorities whenever needed.

According to Duponteil, reusing information and checking data across supply chains and approval stages improves border risk analysis. He said such systems help customs detect threats, target high-risk shipments and support safe trade. Better data also supports faster clearance for compliant operators, which benefits both administrations and businesses.

Duponteil pointed to current EU models that rely on advanced data for sustainability and social protection. These include climate-related measures, child safety checks on imported toys, and monitoring timber flows so that products do not come from illegal logging or rare wood species. Data links these areas with customs decision-making.

Customs digitalisation and data quality across the EU and UAE

Accurate and complete information from economic operators is essential, Duponteil said, because customs administrations in all 27 EU member states use that data for targeted controls. Reliable declarations help officials apply consistent rules, coordinate checks and support policy goals from security to environmental protection.

Duponteil also commented on customs systems in the UAE after visiting Dubai and Abu Dhabi Port facilities. Duponteil observed advanced infrastructure and strong digital transformation in local customs processes. Duponteil said these features allow smooth trade handling while maintaining strict border oversight, creating a balance between facilitation and control that aligns with EU priorities.

With inputs from WAM