A Commission staff working document published on 13 July 2026 reports on progress developing the electronic systems required under the Union Customs Code (UCC), with all projects required to be fully operational by the end of 2025. The document, accompanying a report to the European Parliament and the Council, notes that while several systems have been completed, Member States face significant challenges in aligning national IT systems and meeting tight deadlines.
The UCC, in force since 1 May 2016, requires upgrading or creating 14 trans-European and 3 national systems, with deadlines set for end of 2020, 2022, or 2025. Completed projects include the Registered Exporter system (REX), Customs Decisions System (CDS), Uniform User Management and Digital Signature System (UUM&DS), EORI2, Surveillance 3 (SURV3), Binding Tariff Information (BTI), Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) upgrade, INF for Special Procedures, Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Releases 1 and 2, Guarantee Management (GUM) Component 1, Proof of Union Status (PoUS) Phase 1, and NCTS Upgrade Component 1.
The Commission tracks ongoing projects through Member State bi-annual national planning, an EU survey conducted from February to May 2025, DG TAXUD project manager updates, bilateral high-level meetings, and coordination programmes. Key challenges reported include aligning diverse national IT systems, managing interdependencies across parallel UCC projects, adapting to changes in EU technical specifications, tight procurement timelines, constrained budgets, and limited technical staff. Best practices identified include dedicated national project teams with prior UCC experience, Agile and in-house development, phased implementation, early integration testing, and close stakeholder engagement with traders and IT teams.
The document serves as a formal progress update under Article 278a of the UCC, which requires the Commission to report on the development of electronic systems. The report does not propose any extension of the 2025 deadline, implying that all remaining systems must be completed within the next five months. Stakeholders most impacted include national customs authorities, which must accelerate IT upgrades; EU traders and customs agents, who face potential disruptions if systems are not ready; and the Commission's DG TAXUD, which must continue coordination and oversight. The report does not specify consequences for Member States that miss the deadline, leaving open the possibility of infringement proceedings or transitional measures. The European Parliament and Council are expected to take note of the report in upcoming discussions on customs reform.