The EUDR, logistics and customs – what is changing in the trade of goods?

The introduction of the EUDR has a significant impact not only on businesses’ obligations within the supply chain, but also on the way logistics and customs clearance operate. Under the new regulations, the release of goods for free circulation within the European Union is directly linked to requirements regarding the absence of deforestation. As a result, the EU border no longer serves solely a control and tax function, but also becomes a point for verifying the environmental compliance of products.

Customs clearance and EUDR requirements

One of the key changes is the linking of the procedure for placing goods on the market to the obligation to submit a due diligence statement in advance. Failure to provide such a statement, or if it is incomplete, may result in customs clearance being suspended. The goods will not be released for free circulation until their compliance with the requirements of the Regulation has been demonstrated.

This represents a significant shift in the approach to imports, as previous customs procedures did not involve such detailed verification of a product’s origin in an environmental context.

The new role of customs authorities

Under the EUDR, customs authorities are granted additional powers that go beyond standard tariff checks and formal import documentation. Their role is extended to include verifying the environmental compliance of goods placed on the European Union market.

This means that, before goods are released for free circulation, it will be possible to check whether a due diligence statement (DDS) has been registered and correctly assigned to the relevant consignment in the EU information system. This data will need to be consistent with the information provided in the customs declaration, including, amongst other things, details of the product, its quantity and the entity responsible for placing the goods on the market, which requires a clear determination of which goods and products are subject to the EUDR.  

Customs authorities will also be able to identify discrepancies between the importer’s declaration and the data recorded in the EUDR system. In the event of non-compliance, the clearance procedure may be suspended until the discrepancies have been clarified or the missing information provided. As a result, customs administration is becoming one of the key points for enforcing environmental regulations within the supply chain – alongside the business’s own control system. This also means greater interdependence between customs procedures and compliance processes within importing companies.

From an operational perspective, the importance of the quality of data provided at the import stage is growing. This applies to both importers and logistics intermediaries, who will increasingly have to ensure the consistency of information as early as the stage of preparing transport and customs documentation. In practice, any ambiguity or missing data may result in delays to customs clearance and, in extreme cases, the goods being detained at the border.

Implications for the supply chain and logistics

The changes resulting from the EUDR have a direct impact on the organisation of logistics processes. Ensuring full traceability of goods even before they are transported to the European Union has become a key challenge.

This means that data on the origin of products must be collected and verified in advance so that complete EUDR documentation can be prepared before dispatch. A lack of such data may lead to delays in customs clearance, goods being held up at the border, or the need to return them to the sender. From a business perspective, this not only generates costs but also poses a risk of disrupting supply continuity.

In summary, the EUDR significantly changes the way in which the process of importing goods into the European Union is viewed. Transport and customs clearance are no longer merely logistical operations, but have become part of the environmental compliance control system.

For importers and logistics operators, it is becoming crucial to prepare data in advance and integrate regulatory requirements into supply planning. Those entities that ensure compliance even before the dispatch stage will gain a competitive advantage, minimising the risk of border detentions and operational disruptions. In practice, this means that companies must adapt to the EUDR requirements. Find out how we can help you with this.