The Compliance Brief
PAS 41201:2026
On 4 June 2026, HMRC published PAS 41201:2026, a new UK standard for customs intermediaries developed with the British Standards Institution (BSI). Several Dutch and EU clients have asked us the same question: does PAS 41201:2026 apply in the Netherlands? The short answer is no – but the standard is still worth understanding if your business…
From today, 1 July 2026, the EU duty exemption for consignments up to €150 is abolished. For companies importing goods into the EU under deferred payment arrangements, this creates a direct obligation: a customs guarantee.
What changed on 1 July 2026? Until this date, the Union Customs Code (UCC, Regulation (EU) 952/2013) exempted consignments with an intrinsic value of €150 or less from import duties. That exemption is now gone. Every parcel entering the EU from a third country is subject to customs duties – regardless of value. For businesses…
EU E-Commerce Handling Fee: What the 2026 Customs Changes Mean for Your Business
The Compliance Brief | Smart Trade Compliance | 16 June 2026 The EU e-commerce handling fee is coming, but not from the Netherlands. On 12 June 2026, State Secretary for Finance Eelco Eerenberg confirmed to the Dutch parliament that the Netherlands will not introduce a national handling fee on e-commerce parcels. Instead, the Dutch government…
Customs Enforcement Executive Order
On 3 June 2026, President Trump signed an Executive Order titled ‘Strengthening Customs Enforcement’ — one of the most far-reaching US customs reform measures in decades. For European companies importing into the United States, the consequences are direct and significant. The order explicitly creates a two-tier system: one set of rules for US importers, and a…
How to prepare for an AEO re-assessment without disrupting operations
An AEO re-assessment does not have to be a stressful event. Companies that approach it proactively – with the right documentation, internal controls, and people in place – consistently find that customs authorities see a mature, well-run organisation. The key is preparation, not perfection. Here is how to get ready without disrupting your day-to-day operations.…
Trump updates steel, aluminium & copper tariffs: What EU exporters need to know
On 1 June 2026, US President Trump signed a new Proclamation further adjusting the Section 232 tariff regime on steel, aluminium, and copper imports into the United States. For EU exporters, the changes are a mixed signal: modest relief in some areas, new competitive disadvantages in others. What changed? Agricultural machinery such as combines and…
Legal chaos: reclaiming duties that should never have been collected
Scales of justice — reclaiming unlawfully collected customs duties
EU-US Trade Deal: What It Means for Your Business
After months of negotiations, the European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on 20 May 2026 implementing the EU-US Joint Statement. Here is what matters for importers and exporters. The deal in brief The EU will eliminate tariffs on US industrial goods and grant preferential access for selected US agricultural and seafood products. In…
EU Customs Reform: Is your business ready for Trust & Check?
The European Commission is overhauling its’ EU customs legislation. The new Union Customs Code introduces a Trust & Check (T&C) trader status with significant benefits for compliant businesses, but also serious implications for SME’s and customs representatives. Key changes coming as off 2028 : What does this mean for your business, especially for representation? Contact…
Will the EU Customs Reform change your AEO accreditation?
The proposed EU customs reform and its impact on AEO accreditation is one of the most pressing questions for authorised economic operators right now. The European Commission’s reform of the Union Customs Code – planned for phased implementation between 2028 and 2037 – introduces a new trader status called ‘Trust and Check’. For companies that…