German Customs has been successfully implementing innovative tools to address the challenges of managing international trade efficiently, developing solutions that are not only creative but also practically applicable in daily Customs operations. This article highlights a number of initiatives and projects in the field of cutting-edge technologies.
Leveraging AI to enhance targeting capacities
In order to enhance the capacity to control risks, analytics tools leveraging machine learning have been developed, enabling the German Customs Administration to systematically analyse vast amounts of data in real time and to help Customs specialists identify potential risks at an early stage. These tools are being implemented at critical hubs such as airports and seaports. Each tool has been customized to respond to specific threats and requirements. Harmonization is planned at a later stage to ensure that a holistic approach is adopted across the country so that the tools can be deployed to all ports of entry.
Customs specialists, IT experts, scientists and practitioners worked closely together in order to create tools that are not only technically innovative but also practical for everyday use. The preliminary results are highly promising:
- analysts can widely use the tools without any major difficulties;
- the processing time for risk analyses has been significantly reduced, enabling a smoother and faster flow of goods; and
- the accuracy in identifying illicit or fraudulent shipments has substantially improved.
A Customs App Factory to develop applications within a short time frame
Another innovation is the Customs App Factory launched in 2024 to enable the dynamic and rapid development of apps for citizens, businesses and Customs officers. Eight employees from different departments of the German Customs Administration work at the factory. Their comprehensive and specialized knowledge enable them to understand officers’ needs. They then work with software developers and legal specialists to plan, design and test apps for Customs purposes.
The team members needed to adapt to a very different workflow which is much faster, agile and more intuitive. Thy also needed to learn new tasks such as drafting privacy statements, conditions of use and legal notices, obtaining and devising a budget, communicating with several interface partners, and developing information campaigns for Customs officers and the general public.
They recently worked on the development of the eZOLL App, which was launched on 16 December 2024. This app enables recipients of postal and express consignments originating from outside the European Union to fill in and submit a Customs declaration and pay duties and taxes – at any time, from anywhere. It also includes an AI based tool that provides assistance in the classification of goods in the EU Nomenclature.
Another milestone in the digital transformation of the German Customs Administration is the establishment of the AI Office.
While AI offers great opportunities to make German Customs more efficient, citizen-friendly and innovative by enabling further automatization of processes, it must be implemented in a legally compliant and responsible manner. The AI Office is involved in all AI-related matters and serves as a central advisory and coordination point for the safe, effective and responsible development and use of AI.
It also ensures compliance with legal requirements, including the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act) of the European Union which was adopted in August 2024 and came into effect in February 2025. The AI Act prohibits certain AI practices that can materially distort people’s behaviour or raise serious concerns in democratic societies. Specifically, it bans applications for social scoring or the use of “real-time” remote biometric identification systems in publicly accessible spaces for the purposes of law enforcement, albeit with certain exceptions.
The office staff were appointed from among those employed by the Customs Administration, but future recruitment will also be open to external candidates. These staff are currently working on the promotion of AI knowledge and skills among employees, as well as on the development of training in the uses of AI. Such training can be used to address issues such as information security, data protection and fundamental obligations to be considered when using AI. At a later stage, an AI portfolio is to be created that will include all AI projects implemented by German Customs.
More information
DVIA2.gzd@zoll.bund.de
