EU Accession of Moldova and Montenegro to the Convention on the Simplification of Formalities and the Common Transit Procedure
Effective 12 September 2025, Poland has officially closed all border crossings with Belarus until further. Council Decision (EU) 2025/1948 has been published, which sets out the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the EU-CTC Joint Commission, established by the Convention on the Simplification of Formalities for Exchange in Goods and the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure. The decision concerns the invitation of the Republic of Moldova and Montenegro to accede to these conventions. In addition, it includes a position on the adoption of decisions amending the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure in connection with the accession of these countries. These changes are related to the adaptation of warranty documents and technical procedures aimed at facilitating and streamlining the transit of goods. Source: European Commission
The Commission (EU) is introducing new labels for products
The European Commission has presented a new, EU-wide notice and label for products sold on the EU market. The new labels will help businesses better inform consumers about their rights and introduce uniform labelling of products. They will enable consumers to make informed choices for more durable products, stimulate demand for circular solutions and ultimately play a key role in the development of the circular economy. The notice and label implement the provisions of the Consumer Empowerment Directive in the context of the green transition, which will come into force next year. Member States have until 27 March 2026 to transpose the directive into national law. Once the directive enters into force, i.e. from 27 September 2026, consumers across the EU will start to see this information and labels in practice. On 25 September 2025, as a follow-up to the Directive on Consumer Empowerment in the Green Transition, the European Commission adopted an Implementing Regulation aimed at better informing consumers across the European Union about their guarantee rights and durability guarantees offered by businesses.
EU Market Readiness Survey: IT service providers are invited to share their views for new EU Customs Data Hub
The European Commission is seeking input from market operators to assess readiness for the delivery of a large-scale, secure, multi-cloud turnkey system that will underpin the EU Customs Data Hub. In preparation for a planned competitive dialogue procurement procedure in 2025, the European Commission has launched a market survey to gauge the capabilities of economic operators active in IT service delivery. The system, once implemented, will serve as the first operational level of the EU Customs Data Hub, a critical infrastructure for managing cross-border e-commerce flows efficiently and securely.
The survey aims to evaluate:
- Market readiness to meet the technical, security, and scalability requirements of the system.
- Preferred modalities for delivery, including multi-cloud architecture and turnkey solutions.
- Potential challenges in designing and deploying such a system at scale.
All interested economic operators are invited to respond to the survey until 10 October via the dedicated submission portal: EUSurvey
This consultation is a vital step in shaping the procurement process and ensuring the selected solution aligns with EU regulatory standards, cybersecurity protocols, and the evolving demands of cross-border e-commerce.
Why participate?
By sharing their perspective, IT service providers can contribute to the design of a cutting-edge system that will play a pivotal role in the EU’s digital customs strategy. Responses will inform the competitive dialogue process, ensuring robust competition and tailored requirements.
EU: A proposal for a new legal framework for technology transfer agreements in the EU
A Commission (EU) Communication approving the content of the draft Commission regulation on the application of Article 101(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to the category of technology transfer agreements and the draft Commission Guidelines on the application of Article 101 of the Treaty to technology transfer agreements have been published. The purpose of these documents is to provide a clear legal framework for technology transfer in the Union. The draft Regulations are to enter into force on 1 May 2026. Source: European Commission
EU changes in the monitoring of the transport of goods
The Regulation of the Minister of Finance and Economy on goods whose transport is covered by the system of monitoring the road and rail transport of goods and trade in heating fuels has been published. The amendment adds exemptions for goods transported on the basis of the provisions of the Act, especially those coming from third countries, which, after being released for free circulation on the EU market, are transported outside the territory of the country to another Member State. Some facilitations have been introduced, such as exemptions from the monitoring obligation for entities with an AEO certificate (authorized entrepreneur) or having agreements with the National Tax Administration. The SENT system has been extended to rail freight transport, including the obligation for the carrier to report details such as train and wagon numbers. New CN codes for monitoring have been introduced, which expands the catalogue of controlled goods to include, m.in, selected groups of clothing. Waste entrepreneurs , on the other hand, note that the new changes eliminate the possibility of splitting shipments in order to circumvent monitoring limits, which means the need for strict supervision of all transport documentation and an increase in reporting obligations. The regulation enters into force on March 17, 2026, with some regulations effective from May 21, 2026. Source: Ministry of Finance Poland
EU Fluorinated greenhouse gases
Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases - an update of import measures (MT 724) and export measures (MT765) on Fgas has been done in TARIC as followed. Following the provision of Article 22 (1) second subparagraph of Regulation (EU) 2024/573, TARIC document code Y162 (personal effect) has been removed from all pairs of conditions except from the registration pairs of conditions where it stays introduced in parallel with Y123. In total 48 import measures + 5 export measures have been updated.
An update of export measures (MT765) on Fgas has been done:
- A new certificate Y193 ‘Refillable containers for fluorinated greenhouse gases’ has been introduced for empty containers.
In total 12 measures have been updated.
Start date of all above measures is 17/9/2025 to leave enough time for Customs authorities and economic operators to prepare their systems for smooth implementation. The existing measures have been closed with 16/9/2025.
EU: The transition to ICS2 version 3 is complete
Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is an advanced cargo information system designed to improve security in the international transportation of goods and the related supply chain. All economic operators who bring goods into or transit through the EU must declare safety data in ICS2 via the Abbreviated Entry Declaration (ENS). From 1 September 2025, ICS2 will be fully operational in all Member States for all modes of transport – currently including road and rail. The European Commission also announces that several EU Member States and the United Kingdom (for Northern Ireland) have requested a temporary extension of the implementation deadline. These derogations would make it easier for businesses, especially small businesses, to adapt to the new rules. In some Member States, derogations would include the possibility to continue submitting security data in combination with a transit declaration via the New Computerised Transit System Phase 5 (NCTS-P5).
The European Commission is proposing to suspend trade concessions with Israel
The European Commission presented to the Council (EU) a proposal to suspend certain trade-related provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, as well as proposals for sanctions against Hamas, extremist ministers and violent settlers. The Commission is also withholding bilateral support to Israel, with the exception of support for civil society and Yad Vashem. In particular, this concerns future annual allocations for the period 2025-2027, as well as ongoing institutional cooperation projects with Israel and projects funded under the EU-Israel Regional Cooperation Facility. The Council (EU) must adopt the decision by qualified majority. The decision will enter into force on the day it is taken. Once the decision is taken, the EU-Israel Association Council will be notified of the suspension. The suspension will take effect 30 days after the notification of the Association Council.
EU: 2025 Update of the EU Control List of Dual-Use Items
On 8 September 2025, the European Commission adopted a Delegated Regulation updating the EU dual-use export control list in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2021/821. This update of the EU control list provides for the addition of new dual-use items, including:
- Quantum technology (e.g. quantum computers, electronic components designed to work at cryogenic temperatures, parametric signal amplifiers, cryogenic cooling systems, cryogenic wafer probers);
- Semiconductor manufacturing and testing equipment and materials;
- Advanced computing integrated circuits and electronic assemblies such as Field Programmable Logic Devices and Systems;
- Coatings for high temperature applications;
- Additive manufacturing machines and related materials (e.g. inoculants for powders);
- Peptide synthesisers, and;
- Modification of certain control parameters and update of certain technical definitions and descriptions.
The updated EU control list enters into force after the usual two-month scrutiny period for the Council and the European Parliament. Source: European Commission
Poland Closes Border with Belarus
Effective 12 September 2025, Poland has officially closed all border crossings with Belarus until further notice. This move was announced by the Polish Minister of Interior Affairs on 10 September 2025, in response to the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercise “Zapad 2025”. From 12 September 2025, no commercial or person movement is possible through any of the Polish-Belarusian border crossings. The closure applies to road, rail, and pedestrian traffic, effectively sealing the border. Poland’s border policy with Belarus has faced increasing restrictions since the 2021 migration crisis. By 2023, nearly all road crossing points had been closed, with recent measures extending these closures further. These actions reflect Poland’s escalating security concerns in respect of its border with Belarus. This closure may also impact the transit of goods through Belarus to China and Central Asian countries.
Germany-investigation into low-value import from Russia
Schwerin Public Prosecutor’s Office has commenced an investigation into suspected imports of prohibited goods from Russia. The case illustrates the appetite for investigating suspected sanctions breaches even of low value, as the cost of the goods imported is said to be €26.83: consisting of a bar of soap, a decorative piece of wood and a CD. The recipient is reported as saying that the goods were a gift from a long-standing Russian friend.
Norway - new license application system
Norway will launch its new export control licence & sanctions reporting application system on 25 September 2025. The current system, E-license, will close at 12.00 on 18 September 2025. Users will not have access to the system between 18 and 25 September. All user accounts, registered companies, and past & current cases in E-license will be automatically transferred. The Norwegian Agency for Export Control and Sanctions (DEKSA), said the new license application system will include sanctions licences, sanctions reporting, and general transfer licensing.
UK: Update to the UK Sanctions list-Russia Sanctions Regime
The UK Government has designated the following 27 entities, 3 individuals and specified the following 70 ships under the Russia Sanctions Regime.
United States: CBP Issues Guidance on Filing Entries for Replacement Duties
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published updated guidance for filing replacement Chapter 99 duty classifications on certain imports from the European Union (EU), Japan, and the United Kingdom (UK).
The updated guidance reviews the following headers and how they must be reported:
- 9903.02.20, EU reciprocal tariff;
- 9903.02.73, Japan reciprocal tariff;
- 9903.94.41; Japan Section 232 automobile tariff;
- 9903.94.43; Japan Section 232 automobile parts tariff; and
- 9903.94.32; UK Section 232 automobile parts tariff.
CBP also provides guidance on how importers may claim duty drawback on the column 1 tariff for automobiles from Japan, automobile parts from Japan, or the UK. The Section 232 duties are not eligible for drawback. Source: US CBP