The European Commission’s report on Kosovo highlights significant progress made by the Kosovo Customs in key areas, including the expansion of public customs terminals, reduction and removal of fees at private terminals, increased revenue through the fight against the informal economy, prevention of customs fraud, strengthened institutional and international cooperation, enforcement of intellectual property protection, and the use of advanced technology and artificial intelligence for risk management. The successful recruitment of new staff has further reinforced administrative and professional capacities within the organization.
This progress has been achieved with the support of the government and collaboration with international and institutional partners, including the EU Office, the U.S. Embassy, the British Embassy, the German Government, and other relevant programs supporting Customs work.
Key Areas of Progress Highlighted in the Report:
- Significant increase in customs revenue — over €170 million in additional revenue in 2024, thanks to effective anti-fraud measures and strengthened institutional integrity.
- Expansion of public terminals and removal of service fees at major customs points, enhancing trade facilitation and transparency.
- Strengthened inter-institutional and international cooperation, including the creation of a Joint Investigation Team with the Tax Administration and Police, and continued collaboration with OLAF, yielding concrete results in combating smuggling.
- High achievements in intellectual property protection (IPR), seizing counterfeit goods worth around €12 million, protecting legitimate businesses and consumers.
- Implementation of electronic excise bands for tobacco and alcohol products, improving market control and increasing budget revenues.
- Foundations for AI use in risk analysis and business intelligence platforms, marking a major step toward full digitalization of customs processes.
- Efficiency of the accredited Customs Laboratory, supporting trade facilitation and product safety.
- Recruitment and integration of new customs officers, enhancing professional capacity and organizational efficiency.
- Deployment of scanners to improve controls and services.
- Active participation in EU programs (Customs 2020) and international forums of the World Customs Organization, contributing to higher professional standards and alignment with EU best practices.
European Commission Recommendations for the Coming Year:
- Finalize sub-legal acts under the new Customs and Excise Code.
- Strengthen professional and administrative capacities based on merit principles.
- Intensify anti-smuggling efforts in cooperation with OLAF.
- Develop digital systems and approve the IT Strategy.
- Remove remaining fees for exporters and importers.
Kosovo Customs remains fully committed to implementing the European Commission’s recommendations and advancing reforms that strengthen integrity, transparency, and efficiency, serving both citizens and the economy of the Republic of Kosovo.
