Management of the e-commerce boom: what customs authorities need to be successful

Frank Janssens
Frank Janssens
Coordinator, PARSEC and BORDERLINK projects, Belgium
Walter Van der Meiren
Walter Van der Meiren
Customs Brokerage Director, UPS, Belgium
Published 07 May 2025
Management of the e-commerce boom: what customs authorities need to be successful
Photo by sarah b on Unsplash
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The rapid expansion of e-commerce has created opportunities for business and individuals and significant challenges for customs authorities worldwide. The exponential growth in the volume of small parcels, regulatory compliance issues and emerging threats have strained existing customs frameworks. This article explores the key challenges posed by e-commerce for customs authorities and economic operators, discusses the EU’s efforts to address the issues, also in the scope of the EU Customs Reform, and presents recommendations for ensuring compliance, revenue collection and security.