Report highlights need for stronger customs controls and cooperation to protect EU citizens and businesses
The [report](https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2778/1722120), which focuses on 2025, outlines the growing pressure on EU customs particularly due to the rapid growth of e-commerce imports. The report recognises the essential work carried out by customs authorities in the EU, while pointing to major differences in enforcement performance across Member States. Today, the Commission also updated its [Integrated EU Prohibitions & Restrictions List](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/prohibitions-restrictions_en), a practical tool to identify EU rules on banned or restricted goods entering or leaving the EU. The update provides greater clarity for businesses and customs authorities by reflecting changes in the legal framework. EU product compliance rules ensure that goods in the EU market meet strict safety, health, environmental and performance requirements. However, many imported goods, including products bought online, do not comply with these rules, thereby creating risks for consumers, businesses and the environment. Customs authorities are the first line of defence at the EU’s external borders and therefore are key actors in stopping dangerous or non-compliant products before they can circulate in the Single Market.
E-commerce is overwhelming traditional control systems
The report shows that customs controls in Member States are under increasing strain. In 2025, around 6 billion items were released for free circulation, three times more than in 2022, largely driven by e-commerce from outside the EU. E-commerce parcels now account for over 97% of all shipments entering the EU, far beyond what customs and market surveillance authorities can handle through traditional methods. As volumes rise, enforcement is weakening. In 2025, the EU control rate fell to 65 items per million items imported. The rate of goods ultimately refused at the border due to non-compliance or because they posed serious risks, also fell to below 10 items per million. A large-scale customs investigation launched by the Commission in 2025 highlights the scale of the problem. Over 60% of checked toys, small electronics, cosmetics, personal protective equipment and food supplements bought online from outside the EU failed to meet EU product compliance and safety requirements.
Enforcement performance varies across the EU
The report highlights major differences between Member States. In 2025, the best-performing Member State recorded a discovery rate 384 times higher than the worst-performing one. To help close the gaps, the Commission launched monitoring actions and structured dialogues, supporting the design and implementation of national action plans. The report already notes encouraging progress, with the Member States identified as underperforming last year improving significantly in this year’s assessment.
Background
The report analyses statistical data provided by Member States on product compliance controls at the EU’s external borders. It is carried out by customs in cooperation with market surveillance authorities. It covers both traditional imports and e-commerce imports and includes statistics on customs interventions, suspensions and refusals at EU borders. It follows [Regulation (EU) 2019/1020](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/1020/oj/eng) on market surveillance and compliance of products. The report helps the Commission and Member States better understand the challenges customs face in controlling product compliance and identifies measures to further improve enforcement of EU rules. Acting at the EU external borders, customs authorities are responsible for enforcing EU rules in a wide array of policy areas, the so-called Prohibitions and Restrictions (P&R), in addition to their traditional financial role of collecting duties and taxes. Product compliance represents a significant portion of P&Rs and covers the EU requirements on manufactured products, for example cosmetics, toys, and machinery. The [EU Customs Reform](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/eu-customs-reform_en), entering into force in 2026, will ensure a safer and more effective customs system. This means stepping up action against non-compliant imports, especially those linked to e-commerce from outside the EU. The new [EU Customs Authority](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_707) in Lille will coordinate risk management across Member States, while a central EU Customs Data Hub will gradually replace today’s patchwork of national systems. Better data-sharing and joint supervision will improve risk management, strengthen cooperation between customs and market surveillance authorities, and support more targeted enforcement of product compliance rules. The forthcoming European Product Act package, including the horizontal provisions for the Digital Product Passport will further simplify and modernise EU product rules, strengthen information-sharing and enforcement against non-compliant products, especially in e-commerce.
For More Information
[Product Compliance Report](https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2778/1722120)
[EU Customs Union: facts and figures](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/eu-customs-union-facts-and-figures_en)
[E-commerce: product compliance and safety](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/eu-customs-union-facts-and-figures/e-commerce-product-compliance-and-safety_en)
[Prohibitions & Restrictions](https://taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu/customs/prohibitions-restrictions_en)
Publication date
20 July 2026
Author
[Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union](https://commission.europa.eu/about/departments-and-executive-agencies/taxation-and-customs-union_en)