E-Commerce

A new European Commission report on customs controls at the EU’s external borders shares a simple message: stronger checks and closer cooperation are needed to help protect EU consumers and businesses, particularly as online shopping imports continue to grow rapidly. 

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Why this matters for customers 

EU rules require products sold in the EU to meet strict standards for safety, health, environmental protection and performance. When imported goods don’t comply, it can create risks for consumers, unfair competition for compliant businesses, and potential disruptions in supply chains. 

The report also notes significant differences in enforcement performance between Member States. The Commission is working with national authorities through monitoring and structured dialogues, supporting national action plans to help close these gaps—and early progress is already being reported. 


Practical updates for businesses 

Alongside the report, the Commission updated its Integrated EU Prohibitions & Restrictions List—a practical tool that helps identify which goods are banned or restricted when entering or leaving the EU. The update reflects recent legal changes and aims to provide greater clarity for both businesses and customs authorities. 


What’s next: EU Customs Reform and better data-sharing 

Looking ahead, the EU Customs Reform  is designed to create a safer and more effective customs system, with a strong focus on tackling non-compliant e-commerce imports. Key developments include: 

  • A new EU Customs Authority in Lille to help coordinate risk management across Member States
  • A central EU Customs Data Hub, which will gradually replace today’s patchwork of national systems
  • Stronger data-sharing and cooperation between customs and market surveillance authorities to enable more targeted, intelligence-led controls

In parallel, the forthcoming European Product Act package, including elements such as the Digital Product Passport, is expected to further modernise product rules and strengthen enforcement—again with a particular focus on e-commerce. 


What this means for your business (importers & online sellers) 

For businesses, this means greater scrutiny, higher expectations on product compliance, and a stronger focus on traceability and quality of data. 


If you’re an importer (including e-commerce fulfilment models) 

You should prepare for: 

  • More targeted inspections and interventions at the border, especially for higher-risk product categories (e.g., toys, electronics, cosmetics, PPE, supplements).
  • Increased likelihood of customs holds, requests for documentation, and delayed release if product compliance evidence is incomplete or inconsistent.
  • Greater emphasis on proving EU product compliance (e.g., correct documentation, declarations, labelling, and where relevant, technical files / conformity evidence).
  • More consistent enforcement over time as Member States align performance and as EU-level coordination strengthens via the EU Customs Authority and improved risk management.
  • Higher importance of clean, complete shipment and product data, as the EU moves toward a central EU Customs Data Hub and more advanced risk analytics.


Practical steps 

  • Validate that products meet all applicable EU rules (safety, labelling, restrictions) before shipment.
  • Strengthen onboarding and auditing of suppliers, especially outside the EU.
  • Ensure customs declarations and product descriptions are accurate and detailed (poor data increases risk scoring and delays).
  • Monitor the updated Integrated EU Prohibitions & Restrictions List to avoid restricted goods or missing authorisations.

 

If you’re an online seller (marketplaces, D2C brands, cross-border e-commerce) 

You should expect: 

  • Increased focus on non-compliant goods sold online, with customs acting as a key gatekeeper before products reach customers.
  • Greater risk that shipments may be stopped or refused at the border if products fail EU compliance checks—potentially impacting delivery times, customer experience, and returns/refunds.
  • Stronger requirements around product information and traceability, which will be supported by upcoming reforms and the broader direction of travel toward tools like the Digital Product Passport.
  • More attention on the full supply chain: sellers may be expected to demonstrate they have controls in place to prevent unsafe or restricted products being offered to EU consumers.

 

Bottom line 

For compliant businesses, these changes should help create a fairer market place by reducing the flow of unsafe and non-compliant imports. For importers and online sellers, success will increasingly depend on compliance readiness, data quality, and supplier control—particularly in high-volume e-commerce models. 

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BDO Global Trade Services

As Global Trade becomes more complex, and more subject to risk, we can advise on your trade implications in a Geo-Political context, assess the Risk Landscape and provide proactive duty planning, ensuring security of supply, and support in accessing new markets. In addition, we can provide Board Level briefings in order to support and advise in this new environment. If you think any of these updates could affect your business, don’t hesitate to contact us for further information or to arrange a consultation.

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