The government will submit a bid to host the new European Union Customs Authority headquarters in Portugal, the Ministry of Finance announced in a statement on Friday. The aim is to have it located in Porto.
“The Executive believes that Portugal has the necessary conditions to ensure the facilities of this new entity, particularly due to its geographical location. The country is a natural gateway for transatlantic and intercontinental trade in Europe, with an extensive maritime border and a strong tradition in customs matters,” the statement reads.
The same statement notes that “Porto is the city chosen by the Executive to enter the competition.”
The government adds that “the Tax and Customs Authority (AT) has a strong history of innovation, particularly in the digitalization of customs procedures, thanks to a significant investment in technology and digital modernization, which has occurred in public services.”
“Through its universities and centers of research excellence, Portugal is well-positioned and capable of training and attracting highly specialized technical staff,” the statement continues.
According to the Ministry, and “considering the criteria that will be taken into account in this selection process, the government believes that the city of Porto will be the most suitable location, ensuring good accessibility and infrastructure, conditions for access to the labor market and education, safety, and quality of life.”
“With the aim of modernizing and strengthening the functioning of the Customs Union and improving risk management, the European Union Customs Authority will be responsible for overseeing the European Customs Data Platform, which will compile and share a set of information, significantly improving cooperation between customs authorities, market surveillance authorities, and law enforcement agents at the EU and national levels,” the government states.
According to the Executive, “the headquarters chosen must be ready to accommodate the EUCA by 2026, and it is expected that by 2034, approximately 250 staff members will be working in these facilities.”
