Lille will host the new European Union Customs Authority (EUCA).
The decision was made on Wednesday, March 25, following a vote by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Discover the booklet - The European Union Customs Authority in Lille [pdf - 8 Mo]
A new authority to meet the challenges of European customs
On 17 May 2023, the European Commission published a reform proposal for the Customs Union, which was approved by the European Parliament in March 2024.
This reform aims to modernise and harmonise the tools of European customs by creating a Customs Data Hub, strengthening oversight of e-commerce, and addressing the proliferation of non-customs regulations.
One of the key measures of this reform is the creation of a European Customs Authority to support national customs administrations in their daily work to protect EU citizens and businesses.
EUCA will assist national administrations by controlling trade, through risk analysis, fraud prevention, trade flows management, and crisis response.
« Hosting EUCA in Lille means giving Europe a leading operational player, rooted in a strategic territory in service of a more effective and protective Customs Union. »
A strong European commitment
The French candidacy to host the authority is the natural continuation of its consistent support to this reform.
The objective is to provide the authority with the best conditions to succeed in its ambitious missions.
France has been a driving force of this reform, starting from its Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2022.
This reform is essential to safeguard the internal market, simplify procedures for economic operators, regulate e-commerce, and preserve the European industrial sovereignty.
French customs are actively involved in international cooperation efforts against trafficking. It has a vast network of customs representatives across the world, a strong expertise in joint operations, and an active role in the European pilot projects.
France contributes to the European Customs Alliance for Borders (EUCAB), the first structured initiative for the cooperation between the Member States customs, aiming to combat illicit trafficking by transport mode. Some of EUCAB's missions will be transferred to EUCA.
France has also played a key role in the success of the Customs Threat Assessment (CTA), a new strategic document listing the major customs threats. This commitment highlights France’s legitimacy in coordinating risk management for the future authority.
« It is in this demanding context that France is submitting its candidacy to host this new institution in Lille. With its recognized customs expertise, state-of-the-art infrastructure, strategic location at the heart of Europe, and ideal reception conditions for civil servants and their families, Lille offers all the assets needed to enable this new agency to fully accomplish its mission and for its staff to thrive. France’s support to this candidacy and this new agency, in line with its ongoing commitment to the European project, is total. »
The Customs Union in figures in 2024
€40.88
Billion in state and European revenue collected
20.97
Tonnes of cocaine seized
21.47
Million counterfeit items removed from the market
Lille, a strategic location at the heart of Europe
Lille offers a comprehensive and attractive ecosystem for a European authority.
The city is located in a region with a strong customs tradition, it sits at the crossroads of trade between the EU, the UK and the rest of the world. With over one million inhabitants and a strong economic dynamism, the European Metropolis of Lille (MEL) combines life quality, attractiveness, and a European and international position.
Establishing the new Customs Authority in Lille will reinforce the local roots of the European project while offering an attractive living environment for future staff and their families.
Its position between major seaports (Dunkirk, Le Havre, Rotterdam, Antwerp) and proximity to Calais and the Channel Tunnel makes it a strategic gateway for intra- and extra-European trade.
50 destinations are also served from Lille-Lesquin airport, 20 minutes from the city centre. Paris-CDG and Brussels-Zaventem airports are also accessible in under one hour.
The Lille European Metropolis is one of France’s major economic centres, with a dense economic tissue, strong public services, and a rich cultural and family life.
At the crossroads of major European capitals, the
Lille metropolitan area is home to 80 corporate
headquarters with more than 500 employees and
attracts major French and international companies. It is also the leading city in France after Paris in terms of the number of international headquarters.
Euralille, located right next to the two main TGV stations, is a modern and dynamic business district.
Located right next to Lille Flandres station and in the heart of the Euralille business district, the Agora is a
contemporary and flexible property development combining modernity and sustainability.
The Agora complies with the most stringent European security standards, required for hosting sensitive activities.
High-security IT and telecoms infrastructure will also be available to agents.
Lille: a vibrant, innovative cultural capital
Lille hosts major cultural venues like the Palais des Beaux-Arts and the LaM, a key centre for modern and outsider art in Northern Europe. Events like Lille3000 or the Braderie de Lille attract over 2 million visitors annually.
A sporting metropolis with international visibility
Lille hosted several sporting events during the 2024 Olympic Games, the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and hosted the start of the 2025 Tour de France. The city offers modern facilities for regular sports practice.
Health and research: Lille, a centre of medical excellence
Lille’s healthcare offer is highly developed. The University Hospital (CHU) and numerous private clinics rank among France’s best infrastructures for both general and specialised care.
An attractive living environment for European staff and their families
Lille offers a high quality of life at a lower cost than other European capitals. The city’s property market is diverse, catering to both urbanites and families looking for space and tranquillity. There is a wide range of properties available, from renovated flats in the city centre to traditional houses in residential neighbourhoods.
Its real estate affordability, more accessible than other European capitals, ensures a wide range of housing options suitable for EU staff and their families.
Lille has a dense hotel infrastructure, with nearly 10,000 rooms, mostly located near Euralille and the train stations.
The European Metropolis of Lille provides a dedicated relocation support service for the staff and their families, covering all aspects of international mobility.
This service includes housing search (rental or purchase), administrative procedures (social security, driving licence, banking, etc.), and family life (childcare, extracurricular activities, etc.).
A discovery day in the Lille metropolitan area will allow new arrivals to familiarise themselves with their new host city.
Lille also provides an attractive educational environment for European families, with a wide choice of bilingual and international schools. Within them, the Jacques Delors European School is officially recognised by the European School network.
Higher education in Lille offers top-level academic opportunities across all fields, with institutions such as the University of Lille, Sciences Po Lille, EDHEC, and Centrale Lille.
A broad political and institutional support
The Government has entrusted the sponsorship of this bid to Pascal Lamy, former WTO Director-General and European Commissioner for Trade. His expertise, engagement, and European network play a key role in the gathering of institutional actors and the promotion of Lille as the future EUCA host city.
« The city of Lille, with its strong European dimension due to its history and geographical location, is the ideal city to host and support the new impetus given to the Customs Union. »
The Lille candidacy has been strongly supported by the French government and local elected officials, including the City of Lille, the European Metropolis of Lille, the Nord Department, and the Hauts-de-France Region.
Ressources and contacts
Available downloads
Press Kit [Pdf - 2,2 Mo]
EUCA future organisation [pdf - 138,5 Ko]
- Suomi - EUROOPAN UNIONIN TULLIVIRANOMAINEN LILLEEN
- ελληνικά - Η ΤΕΛΩΝΕΙΑΚΗ ΑΡΧΗ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΡΩΠΑΪΚΗΣ ΕΝΩΣΗΣ ΣΤΗΝ ΛΙΛ
- Magyar - AZ EURÓPAI UNIÓ VÁMHATÓSÁGA LILLE-BEN
- Lietuvių - EUROPOS SĄJUNGOS MUITINĖS INSTITUCIJA LILYJE
- Malti - L-AWTORITÀ DOGANALI TAL-UNJONI EWROPEA F’LILLE
- Română - AUTORITATEA VAMALĂ A UNIUNII EUROPENE LA LILLE
- Svenska - DEN EUROPEISKA UNIONENS TULLMYNDIGHET I LILLE
- Eesti - EUROOPA LIIDU TOLLIAMET LILLE’IS
- Italiano - L’AUTORITÀ DOGANALE DELL’UNIONE EUROPEA A LILLE
- Nederlands - DE DOUANEAUTORITEIT VAN DE EUROPESE UNIE IN LILLE
- Português - A AUTORIDADE ADUANEIRA DA UNIÃO EUROPEIA EM LILLE
- Slovenčina - COLNÝ ORGÁN EURÓPSKEJ ÚNIE V LILLE
- Deutsch - DIE ZOLLBEHÖRDE DER EUROPÄISCHEN UNION IN LILLE
- български - МИТНИЧЕСКИЯТ ОРГАН НА ЕВРОПЕЙСКИЯ СЪЮЗ В ЛИЛ
- Hrvatski - CARINSKO TIJELO EUROPSKE UNIJE U LILLEU
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- Polski - URZĄD UNII EUROPEJSKIEJ DO SPRAW CELNYCH W LILLE
- Slovenščina - CARINSKI ORGAN EVROPSKE UNIJE V LILLU
- Español - LA AUTORIDAD ADUANERA DE LA UNIÓN EUROPEA EN LILLE
- Gaeilge - ÚDARÁS CUSTAIM AN AONTAIS EORPAIGH IN LILLE
- Latviešu - EIROPAS SAVIENĪBAS MUITAS DIENESTS LILLĒ
- čeština - CELNÍ ORGÁN EVROPSKÉ UNIE V LILLE