Illicit trade remains one of Europe's most persistent economic and public safety challenges, siphoning billions from government revenues and putting consumers at risk through counterfeit and unregulated goods. Speaking at a recent industry forum, Gijs de Best, a prominent voice in trade compliance, urged European authorities to move beyond isolated national efforts and embrace a genuinely shared enforcement model.
A continental problem demanding a continental answer
De Best, who has spent years advising businesses and policymakers on trade integrity, stressed that the fragmented approach currently in place across the EU's twenty-seven member states is no longer sufficient. Criminal networks exploit differences in national enforcement capacities and legal frameworks, shifting routes through ports like Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Piraeus as pressure mounts elsewhere.
“The reality is that illicit trade does not respect borders,” de Best said. “A product seized in Antwerp may have entered through Trieste or Valencia. Without shared intelligence and a common set of enforceable rules, we are chasing shadows.” His comments come as customs authorities across the bloc report rising seizures of counterfeit electronics, substandard pharmaceuticals, and smuggled tobacco.
The financial toll is staggering. According to recent estimates, illicit trade costs EU governments tens of billions of euros annually in lost customs duties and taxes. But the human cost is less visible yet equally severe: fake medicines that fail to treat diseases, counterfeit car parts that fail under stress, and untaxed alcohol that may contain dangerous impurities.
Intelligence sharing as the first line of defense
De Best's central proposal is the creation of a permanent EU-wide intelligence-sharing platform, linking national customs agencies, Europol, and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). Such a system would allow real-time data exchange on suspicious shipments, emerging smuggling methods, and known criminal actors. He pointed to successful pilot projects in the Baltic Sea region, where joint patrols and shared analytics have already disrupted several major smuggling operations.
“We have the technology and the expertise,” he argued. “What we lack is the political will to institutionalize cooperation. A single database, accessible to all member states, would be a game-changer.” He also called for harmonized penalties across the bloc, noting that a smuggler faces far stiffer consequences in one country than in another, creating a natural incentive to route goods through weaker links.
The push for stronger enforcement comes at a time when trade policy is already under strain. The EU is navigating delicate negotiations with China over electric vehicles, and a preliminary deal was recently reached to ease tensions. Meanwhile, French farmers have protested against the EU-Mercosur agreement, highlighting how trade decisions ripple through domestic politics. De Best acknowledged these complexities but insisted that tackling illicit trade should be a unifying priority.
“Trade policy is about balancing interests, but enforcement is about protecting citizens,” he said. “We cannot let the perfect become the enemy of the good.” He also noted that legitimate businesses suffer when they compete against counterfeiters who pay no taxes and face no regulatory costs. Small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of the European economy, are particularly vulnerable.
De Best's remarks have resonated with officials in Brussels, where the European Commission has been exploring ways to modernize customs controls. A proposed reform of the EU Customs Code, currently under discussion, includes provisions for greater data sharing and joint risk management. However, implementation has been slow, and member states remain wary of ceding authority to Brussels.
“We are not asking for a European super-agency,” de Best clarified. “We are asking for a network of national authorities that work as one when it comes to intelligence and enforcement. That is the only way to stay ahead of criminals who are already operating across borders.”
The urgency is underscored by recent cyberattacks on French supermarkets, which disrupted supply chains and exposed vulnerabilities in the retail sector. While not directly linked to illicit trade, such incidents highlight the broader security challenges facing European commerce. As de Best put it, “Security is a chain, and it is only as strong as its weakest link.”
For now, the call for shared enforcement remains a proposal, but one that is gaining traction among policymakers and industry leaders. Whether it translates into concrete action will depend on the willingness of national governments to pool resources and trust each other with sensitive data. As de Best concluded, “The cost of inaction is far higher than the cost of cooperation.”
