What Ukraine Can Learn from the Netherlands: An Anti-Corruption Recipe for Customs

The Netherlands is a country through which 35% of all imported goods to the EU pass and that has turned its customs system from a bureaucratic barrier into a driver of trade and economic growth.

In the new video by “Cost of the State” — “How the Netherlands Earn Billions from Customs” — experts explain how this system works and what practices Ukraine can adopt to make its own customs processes transparent, fast, and corruption-proof.

Among the solutions that can already be adapted in Ukraine:

  • harmonisation of customs and tax legislation with EU standards;
  • unification of customs clearance procedures;
  • electronic data exchange with EU countries;
  • introduction of an automated risk management system;
  • development of business partnerships and authorised economic operator (AEO) programmes for trusted participants.

The result: fewer queues, more official trade, faster movement of goods, objective and transparent cargo screening, reduced corruption risks, higher business competitiveness, improved quality control, and a smaller shadow market.

Watch the full video on Cost of the State to learn how the Netherlands’ experience can help Ukraine build an efficient, honest, and technology-driven customs service: https://youtu.be/svTgaj36-E0?si=ntYFBDHkjskrn8Am.

The project is supported by the EU Anti-Corruption Initiative (EUACI). The views expressed in the video do not necessarily reflect those of EUACI, the European Union, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.

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