Top-Level Seminar ‘EU Customs Law: Recent Developments and Outlook’ (in English)
During this 3-day seminar (in English) you and other top international customs specialists will discuss the customs implications of a wide range of topical issues, including the measures recently implemented across the EU and the recent Court of Justice case law.
You will be brought fully up-to-date with all the important developments in your field and can be assured of in-depth discussions with prestigious international speakers: Frank Heijmann, Prof. Dr. Madeleine Merkx, Mark van Driel, Dr. Martijn Schippers, Arnoud Willems, Ilona van den Eijnde, Prof. Dr. Joost Pauwelyn, Dr. Anna Jerzewska, Claudia Buysing Damsté, Stefano Mauro, George Riddell, Prof. Dr. Maarten de Wilde, Patricio Diaz Gavier and Prof. Dr. Walter de Wit. The seminar will be held from Wednesday 10 – Friday 12 June 2026.
Key Benefits
- In-depth, interactive sessions
- Intensive 3-day programme
- Max. 25 participants
- Bridging theory and practice
- International networking
EFS is pleased to invite you and other top specialists from customs advisory services, legal practice, the judiciary, government bodies, customs authorities, and academia to the 2026 edition of the Top-Level Seminar on EU Customs Law. This three-day seminar offers a unique opportunity to engage in high-level discussions on the latest developments in EU customs law in an informal and intellectually stimulating setting.
On the first day of the seminar, we will begin with an in-depth exploration of the new EU Customs Code. By June 2026 the trilogue negotiations will most probably be finished and the text revised by lawyer linguistics, so it’s expected that we can have a look into the final text of the EU customs reform. Speakers from the Dutch Permanent Representation to the EU, academia, and business will share their perspectives on the reform, including its implications for the VAT Directive.
On the second day of the seminar, the focus will shift to sustainability, customs valuation and origin. The morning sessions will address the EU’s latest instruments aimed at promoting sustainable trade, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the EU Forced Labor Regulation and rules around the Digital Product Passport (DPP). These developments are reshaping supply chain compliance and will be discussed from both practical and policy perspectives. In the afternoon, the focus will shift to customs valuation and origin. We will explore key updates in customs valuation, including the latest instruments issued by the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation of the World Customs Organization — such as Commentary 27.1, Case Studies 14.3 and 14.4, and Explanatory Note 7.1. These developments offer important clarifications and practical guidance for valuation in complex scenarios. We will then delve into the growing significance of non-preferential origin in a world increasingly shaped by trade tensions and shifting geopolitical alliances. The session will also address the practical implications of self-certification under Free Trade Agreements, highlighting both opportunities and compliance challenges. A representative from OLAF will elaborate on the role the European Anti-Fraud Office plays in monitoring and enforcing origin-related rules within this evolving landscape.
On the third and last day of the seminar, we will explore the evolving role of the customs function in a rapidly changing global environment. This session will highlight the strategic importance of trade automation and how businesses and customs authorities are adapting to digital transformation. The seminar will conclude with a comprehensive review of recent case law from the Court of Justice of the European Union, covering customs, excise, and import VAT matters.
All sessions are designed to offer ample opportunity for in-depth discussions on each topic covered. As we wrap up the seminar, we’ll take time to collectively reflect on the matters discussed and draw broad conclusions.
If you are looking to update and expand your highly specialized knowledge and to network with other leading professionals, sign up now for the EFS top-level seminar on ‘EU Customs Law: Recent Developments and Outlook’ to be held at the Erasmus University Rotterdam on 10 – 12 June 2026.
For more information
Prof. Dr. Walter de Wit
Seminar Director
Dr. Martijn Schippers
Seminar Coördinator
+31 (0)6 29 08 41 86
schippers@law.eur.nl
