2024
2024-06-03Customs · ICS2
Complete entry summary declaration (ENS) filing through ICS2 opened for maritime and inland-waterway carriers.
In forceSea and inland-waterway carriers · Confirm who files the ENS for your consignments — mode and contract decide the duty.
2025
2025-02-02EU AI Act
Prohibited AI practices under Article 5 have applied since 2 February 2025.
In forceProvider, Deployer
2025-02-02EU AI Act
The duty to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy among staff who operate or use AI systems has applied since 2 February 2025.
In forceProvider, Deployer
2025-04-01Customs · ICS2
ICS2 complete-ENS obligation extended to road and rail carriers.
In forceRoad and rail carriers · Check your filing set-up per transport mode; house-level filers can also be obligated.
2025-08-02EU AI Act
Obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models have applied since 2 August 2025.
In forceGPAI provider
2025-08-15Maritime · EMSWe
The European Maritime Single Window environment applies: ship reporting formalities submitted once per port call through harmonised national interfaces.
In forceShip operators and port reporting parties · Route port-call reporting through the harmonised national single window.
2025-09-12Data Act
The Data Act applies: users of connected products get the right to access the data those products generate and to share it with third parties.
In forceUsers, data holders and providers of connected products and related services · Determine your role per data flow — user, data holder or recipient — because the duties differ per role.
2026
2026-01-01CBAM
Only authorised CBAM declarants may import CBAM goods (iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen) into the EU.
In forceEU importers of CBAM goods and their indirect customs representatives · Verify your declarant authorisation status before importing CBAM goods.
2026-03-31CBAM
Applying for CBAM declarant status by this date lets an importer keep importing while the competent authority decides.
Applies fromImporters of CBAM goods without declarant status yet · File the declarant application before 31 March 2026 to preserve import continuity.
2026-06-01Customs · ICS2
Consignments entering the EU by any mode of transport are expected to be covered by a valid entry summary declaration (ENS).
In forceAll carriers and filers bringing goods into the EU · Close any remaining ENS gaps across modes; risk analysis can stop consignments at the border.
2026-08-02EU AI Act
The AI Office's power to enforce the general-purpose AI model obligations applies from 2 August 2026.
Applies fromGPAI provider
2026-08-02EU AI Act
The AI Act's remaining provisions enter into general application on 2 August 2026.
Applies fromProvider, Deployer
2026-08-02EU AI Act
Transparency duties under Article 50 (disclosing AI interaction, marking synthetic content, labelling deepfakes) formally apply from 2 August 2026; a provisional agreement would postpone the content-marking duty to 2 December 2026 for systems placed on the market before 2 August 2026.
Proposed — pending adoptionProvider, Deployer
2026-08-02EU AI Act
High-risk obligations for stand-alone AI systems (Annex III — risk management, data governance, documentation, human oversight, conformity assessment) formally apply from 2 August 2026; a provisional agreement would defer this to 2 December 2027.
Proposed — pending adoptionProvider, Deployer
2026-08-02EU AI Act
High-risk obligations for AI embedded in regulated products (Annex I) formally apply from 2 August 2026; a provisional agreement would defer this to 2 August 2028.
Proposed — pending adoptionProvider, Deployer
2026-09-12Data Act
The Article 3(1) design obligation (data accessible by design) applies to connected products and related services placed on the market after this date.
Applies fromManufacturers of connected products; providers of related services · Bake data access into new product designs — the duty bites on newly designed equipment, not the existing fleet.
2027
2027-01-12Data Act
Cloud switching charges are withdrawn entirely; providers of data-processing services must remove obstacles to switching.
Applies fromCloud/data-processing providers and their business customers · Review cloud contracts for switching terms and charge clauses ahead of the cut-off.
2027-02-01CBAM
Member States start selling CBAM certificates — the financial side of the carbon border levy begins.
Applies fromAuthorised CBAM declarants · Budget for certificate costs against your 2026 import volumes.
2027-09-12Data Act
The unfair-terms rules reach contracts concluded on or before 12 September 2025, where of indefinite duration or running at least ten years from 11 January 2024.
Applies fromParties to long-running data-sharing contracts · Inventory pre-existing long-term contracts and review terms against Chapter IV.
2027-09-30CBAM
First annual CBAM declaration and certificate surrender, covering 2026 imports, falls due.
Applies fromAuthorised CBAM declarants (importers above the 50-tonne exemption) · Keep 2026 embedded-emissions records declaration-ready.
Timeline pending
30 months after the eFTI technical acts enter into forceeFTI
Authorities must accept regulatory freight information made available electronically — the acceptance duty that demotes paper.
Timeline pendingCompetent authorities; carriers and forwarders presenting transport data · Track the delegated/implementing acts — they start the 30-month clock.
2028 → 2031 → 2034 (staged; political agreement 26 March 2026)Customs reform
EU Customs Data Hub opens for e-commerce in 2028, voluntary for other importers from 2031, mandatory for all goods from 2034 — pending formal adoption.
Political agreementAll EU importers; e-commerce platforms first · Treat as confirmed direction of travel: align system and data investments to the staged timeline.