Romania is applying to host the future Customs Authority of the European Union, a strategic European institution designed to coordinate digitization and risk management at the level of EU borders.
The Romanian Customs Authority (AVR), in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, submitted Romania’s candidacy to host the future European Union Customs Authority (EUCA), an institution designed to become a European hub in the field of risk analysis, operational coordination and customs data governance.
AVR representatives point out that the authority must be placed “where operational needs, accelerated digitization and the realities of European borders meet directly”.
“Romania is ready to support the construction of a
modern customs architecturesable to protect the internal market, manage growing trade volumes and respond quickly to the risks generated by global trade. Our strategic position and experience in managing trade flows and borders give substance and relevance to the candidature”, said a representative of AVR for Agerpres.
The EU’s longest external border
Romania is one of the EU member states with the longest external border, managing millions of tons of goods annually by road, rail, sea and air.
This position transforms it into an essential operational node for the economic security of the Union, which could be an asset in front of the other counter-candidates who want to host the new European institution.
What are the counter-candidate countries
The European Commission launched on October 16 the call for applications to host the EUCA, with the idea that the new institution will support national customs authorities by simplifying procedures for businesses, efficient collection of duties and taxes and strengthening the protection of the internal market against illegal or unsafe products.
The deadline for applications was 27 November at 18:00, and nine Member States have expressed their interest: Belgium (Liege), Spain (Malaga), France (Lille), Croatia (Zagreb), Italy (Rome), the Netherlands (The Hague), Poland (Warsaw), Portugal (Porto) and Romania (Bucharest).
All applications will be evaluated by the Commission and will be published on a dedicated platform.
The future EU Customs Authority will operate the Customs Data Platform, centralizing all Union customs information and gradually replacing existing fragmented systems. This platform will enable a unified, data-driven approach to risk management and customs procedures at European level, strengthening the Union’s economic security and administrative efficiency.
