- E-commerce, consumer goods and electronics industries were cited as the most commonly targeted by customs authorities in the EME region
BRUSSELS: Global law firm Reed Smith has conducted a survey exploring customs enforcement activity and emerging trends across 21 countries in Europe and the Middle East (EME).
The survey gathered insights from senior trade lawyers at 19 law firms based in EME to allow in-house compliance and trade professionals to track the latest areas of risk across the region and help them determine where to focus their customs compliance efforts.
Key survey findings:
- 70% of survey respondents indicated an increased level of customs enforcement in the EME region across the last 12 months
- Despite this, according to the survey, over 95% of companies that are facing a customs investigation demonstrate only low to moderate levels of preparedness
- E-commerce, consumer goods and electronics industries were cited as the most commonly targeted by customs authorities in the EME region
- Survey respondents rank customs valuation, tariff classification and export controls and sanctions as the key focus areas for customs enforcement in the next 12 months
- Criminal investigations are most commonly triggered by false declarations regarding the origin or classification of goods, suspicious trade flows such as transshipment or production relocation, and the movement of controlled or high-value goods, including excise products like alcohol, tobacco, and energy products
- The involvement of EU enforcement agencies, in particular the European Anti-Fraud Office and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, has become increasingly prominent in EU customs-related investigations.
Philippe Heeren, Brussels based trade partner at Reed Smith, said: “The findings show that there are increasing levels of customs enforcement across the EME region and yet companies who are facing investigations are not sufficiently prepared. It’s vital that companies engaged in cross-border trade remain vigilant, invest in robust compliance programs, and closely monitor regulatory developments in order to mitigate risks and respond effectively to audits and investigations. This is especially important amid rising tariff tensions and the EU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen enforcement through its Customs Reform initiative.”
“Customs enforcement is becoming more intensive, particularly for high-volume, cross-border industries. E-commerce, consumer goods, and electronics were cited as the most commonly targeted sectors, reflecting the complexity of their supply chains and the high risk of scrutiny around product classification, valuation, and origin declarations.
“For retailers and consumer brands, the impact can be significant: increased inspections, delayed shipments, higher compliance costs, and the reputational and operational risks that come with potential investigations. Businesses operating in these sectors must treat customs compliance as a core risk management function, investing in systems, training, and processes that can withstand growing regulatory scrutiny.”
Leigh Hansson, Global Regulatory Enforcement partner at Reed Smith, said: “The increase in customs enforcement has direct and growing implications for the shipping industry. Heightened scrutiny, particularly in sectors like e-commerce, consumer goods, and electronics, will result in more inspections, delays at ports, and increased operational costs for carriers and logistics providers.
“Shipping companies must account for both compliance risks and commercial disruption, especially when routing through busy trade corridors. Preparing for these pressures requires proactive engagement with customs authorities, investment in trade compliance infrastructure, and a strong understanding of regulations across jurisdictions.”
With integrated teams in Brussels, London, and Washington, D.C., and more than 25 lawyers in key trade markets worldwide, Reed Smith offers coordinated, multi-jurisdictional advice across EU, UK, and US trade regimes.
This latest initiative forms part of the firm’s broader efforts to support clients navigating evolving trade risks — including the Trump 2.0 Tariff Tracker, launched in February 2025, which enables clients to track the latest U.S. tariffs, as well as counter-tariffs from other countries around the world.
