European Customs: France Announces Bid to Host New Authority in Lille

In our August 2024 newsletter, we discussed the ongoing overhaul of the European Union’s customs system, a comprehensive reform expected to span the next decade.

A key pillar of this reform is the creation of a new EU Customs Authority (EUCA), which will be responsible for managing the DataHub platform and coordinating cooperation between national customs administrations, market surveillance authorities, and law enforcement bodies - effectively forming a unified customs entity at the EU level.

On June 17, 2025, France officially submitted its candidacy to host the future EUCA in the city of Lille.

This new authority will lead the consolidation of technical expertise, strengthen operational cooperation among Member States, and oversee the management of the DataHub - a single platform for processing and visualizing international trade data, set to replace the current 111 national customs systems.

To support its bid, France has appointed Pascal Lamy as the official sponsor of the candidacy. Lamy, a former Director-General of the WTO and former European Commissioner, is widely recognized for his expertise in international trade.