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Commission Unveils Maritime and Ports Strategies 
31 March 2026
Dr. Anna Pingen Dr. Anna Pingen in Issue 1/2026
On 4 March 2026, the European Commission adopted a new EU Industrial Maritime Strategy and an EU Ports Strategy aimed at strengthening competitiveness, sustainability, and security across the maritime sector.The Industrial Maritime Strategy focuses on reinforcing Europe’s global leadership in shipbuilding and shipping through … Read more
EU Organised Crime Customs Cooperation
Successful Crackdown on Pharmaceutical Crime (Operation SHIELD VI) 
25 March 2026
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 1/2026
On 25 February 2026, OLAF and Europol informed of the results of the joint law enforcement operation SHIELD VI. Now in its sixth year, this operation resulted in the prosecution of over 3,350 individuals, and the seizure of illicit medicines and doping substances worth … Read more
EU OLAF Europol Counterfeiting & Piracy Organised Crime Customs Cooperation Judicial Cooperation Law Enforcement Cooperation
Spotlight Illicit Trafficking of Firearms: New Legislative Proposal 
23 March 2026
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 1/2026
On 26 February 2026, the European Commission presented a proposal for an EU Directive on combating firearms trafficking and other firearms-related offences. The initiative proposes common definitions of criminal offences and penalties. It also includes a component on strengthening cross-border cooperation by National Firearms Focal Points. Read more
EU Legislation Europol Customs Cooperation
Europol and OLAF Crack Down on Sanctions Evasion 
5 February 2026
Cornelia Riehle LL.M. Cornelia Riehle LL.M. / Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 4/2025
In the framework of EMPACT, the EU strengthened law enforcement activities against sanctions evasion. Europol launched a new team within its European Financial and Economic Crime Centre to target the circumvention of sanctions following Russia's war against Ukraine. First successful results were achieved by a joint action against illicit vehicle exports to Russia. Read more
EU Ukraine conflict OLAF Europol Customs Cooperation Law Enforcement Cooperation
High-Level Conference on Customs Fraud 
28 November 2025
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 3/2025
From 12 to 13 November 2025, OLAF and the Danish Council Presidency hosted a high-level conference in Copenhagen, in which over 100 senior customs officials discussed ways to tackle customs fraud. This was the fourth edition of annual conferences on customs fraud organised by … Read more
EU OLAF Protection of Financial Interests Customs Cooperation
OLAF and EUIPO Kick Off Efforts to Fight E-commerce Fakes 
29 October 2025
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 3/2025
On 7 and 8 October 2025, OLAF and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) brought together over 100 participants from 57 countries to discuss current trends and best practices in the fight against counterfeits and violations of intellectual property in the e-commerce sector. The … Read more
EU OLAF Counterfeiting & Piracy Customs Cooperation
European Parliament Targets Substandard Imports from Non-EU Webshops 
1 August 2025
Dr. Anna Pingen Dr. Anna Pingen in Issue 2/2025
On 9 July 2025, the European Parliament (EP) adopted a resolution to address the sharp rise in substandard and potentially dangerous goods entering the EU from non-EU webshops. The resolution underlined the need for stronger customs controls, improved risk analysis, and greater digitalisation of import procedures. Read more
EU Counterfeiting & Piracy Customs Cooperation
Commission Launches Import Surveillance Tool to Counter Trade Diversion 
30 June 2025
Dr. Anna Pingen Dr. Anna Pingen in Issue 2/2025
At the beginning of June 2025, the European Commission announced that it launched a new import surveillance tool to protect the EU from harmful trade diversion and sudden surges in imports redirected from high-tariff markets. Building on customs data, the tool provides fact-based information to … Read more
EU Commission Customs Cooperation
ECA: Simplified EU Customs Procedures Vulnerable to VAT Fraud 
5 May 2025
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 1/2025
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) believes that simplified import customs procedures in the EU are vulnerable to VAT fraud. This is the main conclusion of a special report published on 24 March 2025. Read more
EU Protection of Financial Interests Tax Evasion Customs Cooperation
OLAF’s Operational Work July-December 2024 
22 January 2025 (updated 1 year, 8 months ago)
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 4/2024
This news item summarises OLAF’s operational work in the second half of 2024 in reverse chronological order. It follows the reports on operations supported by OLAF in the first half of 2024 published in → eucrim 1/2024, 17-18. Read more
EU OLAF Customs Cooperation
Operation BELENOS: Illicit Cash Flows Targeted 
8 January 2024 (updated 1 year, 8 months ago)
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 4/2023
On 16 November 2023, the French Customs Authority and OLAF informed of the results from the joint customs cooperation BELENOS. The Operation targeted illicit flows of cash equal to or in excess of €10,000 entering or leaving the EU, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 … Read more
EU OLAF Money Laundering Customs Cooperation
Launch of New Expert Group to Fight Drugs Trafficking 
18 December 2023 (updated 2 years, 5 months ago)
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 4/2023
On 24 November 2023, as part of the European ports alliance, the European Commission launched a new strategic project group to strengthen the role of EU Customs in the fight against drug trafficking. The group consisting of customs experts will meet regularly and be tasked … Read more
EU Organised Crime Customs Cooperation
Spotlight Commission Proposes Comprehensive Reform of Customs Union 
2 August 2023 (updated 1 year, 10 months ago)
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl in Issue 2/2023
On 17 May 2023, the Commission put forward proposals for the most ambitious and comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union since its establishment in 1968. The aim is that simplify customs processes and make them smarter and safer, including by means of an increased use of Artificial Intelligence, a new EU database and a new EU Customs Authority. Read more
EU Customs Cooperation
Illicit Tobacco Trade in 2022 
4 May 2023
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
On 4 April 2023, OLAF presented the results of its operations against tobacco smuggling in 2022. International operations involving OLAF during 2022 led to the seizure of 531 million contraband cigarettes. The majority had been illegally produced within the EU. Read more
EU OLAF Customs Cooperation
Working Arrangement between OLAF and Vietnamese Ministry of Finance 
12 January 2023
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
A working arrangement between OLAF and the Viet Nam Ministry of Finance, signed on 14 December 2022, will facilitate cooperation in illicit trade, customs fraud, etc. Read more
EU OLAF Customs Cooperation
Final Evaluation of Customs 2020 Programme 
13 December 2022
Thomas Wahl Thomas Wahl
In a report on the final evaluation of the Customs 2020 programme, the Commission concluded that the programme has been effective in achieving its objectives and has contributed significantly to the improvement of the functioning and modernisation of the Customs Union. Nevertheless, some improvements are suggested. Read more
EU Customs Cooperation