Lille Selected to Host Fresh EU Customs Authority
Lille, France, has been chosen as the location for the new headquarters of the European Union Customs Authority (EUCA), defeating Rome in a closely contested vote on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The decision marks a significant step in the EU’s efforts to modernize its customs union and bolster internal market security.
The Council and the European Parliament jointly selected Lille after a final round of voting where the French city secured 36 votes to Rome’s 18, according to the Council of the European Union.
Nine cities initially competed to host the agency, including Bucharest, Liège, Málaga, Porto, The Hague, Warsaw, and Zagreb. The competition narrowed to Lille and Rome after both cities received backing from EU governments and lawmakers.
Pascal Lamy, the ambassador for Lille’s bid and a former EU trade commissioner and WTO director-general, acknowledged the strength of the competition. “Two excellent finalists,” Lamy told POLITICO. “Lille had a slight lead and managed to hold on to it right up to the finish line.”
The EUCA will employ approximately 250 officials and will be responsible for overseeing the import of a wide range of goods, from toys and cosmetics to illegal drugs. The authority’s establishment is part of a broader customs reform aimed at addressing the increasing volume of packages delivered through e-commerce platforms, requiring a central IT hub to manage the influx.
French President Emmanuel Macron celebrated the decision, stating it was “the fruit of a tremendous collective mobilization.” ANSA.it reported Macron as saying, “This represents the choice of an open and fully European metropolis, a source of pride for France. We will rise to the occasion to modernize the customs union and strengthen confidence in the European Union’s internal market.”
Lille initially launched its bid in November, inviting EU officials to tour the facilities intended to house the agency and showcasing local amenities, including an international school for staff children.
