The CGAA promotes key strategies in response to the reform of the Customs Code and the administrative burden in fishing

 

El Consejo General de los Colegios de Agentes de Aduanas y Representantes Aduaneros (CGAA) has defined a roadmap to address the challenges of foreign trade in 2026, focused on optimizing the system CATCH, the management of tax guarantees under the Union Customs Code (CAU) and legal certainty in the powers of attorney for the office.

 

Optimization of the CATCH system and fisheries imports

 

One of the central points of the plenary session was the analysis of the system CATCH integrated into TRACESFollowing the negotiations carried out with the Secretaría General de Pesca, CGAA It has denounced that the tool presents significant "inefficiencies and shortcomings", mainly derived from the zero integration of third countries into the platform.

 

In response to this situation, both the Administration and the operators have agreed to act in a coordinated manner to address the Comisión EuropeaThe goal is to move towards feasible solutions that reduce the administrative burden, taking advantage of the temporary flexibility already achieved for professionals in the sector.

 

Fiscal guarantees and the new framework of the CAU

 

The plenary session also focused on tightening the requirements for the surety insurance as collateral for customs and tax debt. The implementation of CAU This is leading to increased pressure on validity control, which requires customs agents to closely monitor expiration dates and coverage.

 

Analysis Area	Critical Point Identified
System CATCH (TRACES)	Lack of integration of third countries and high administrative burden.
Surety Bond	Stricter requirements and stricter control of validity periods by Customs.
Certificate EUR.1	Post-production verifications in the textile, automotive and electronics sectors.
Powers of Attorney	Doubts about the temporary validity and extensions in customs clearances.

 

Operational complexity in North Africa and Gibraltar

 

Operations in the north of África y Egipto, especially in partial manufacturing processes, is under scrutiny due to the use of the certificate EUR.1. The CGAA It warns of an intensification of documentary checks in strategic sectors such as electronics and automotive.

 

At the territorial level, the institution expressed its concern about the "operational uncertainty" in Ceuta y MelillaThe situation in the Campo de Gibraltar, waiting for the Gobierno de España finalize the definitive operational framework following the agreements with the Reino Unido.

 

Institutional Agenda and Events 2026

 

To strengthen the visibility of the group, the CGAA announced the next milestones on its calendar:

• Organization of the next Customs Forum, which will be based in the city of Lisboa.
• Celebration of a technical conference and plenary session in Barcelona in the framework of SIL.
• Promotion of sectoral initiatives for the International Customs Day (January 26th).

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about the customs sector

What problems does the CATCH system currently have?

The system exhibits inefficiencies due to the lack of integration of third countries into the platform. TRACESThis creates an excessive administrative burden for operators managing fishery products.

How does the new CAU affect surety insurance?

El Union Customs Code has tightened control requirements, forcing professionals to be more thorough in reviewing coverage, validity periods, and admission criteria. Departamento de Aduanas.

What is the situation of the officers in Ceuta, Melilla and Gibraltar?

Significant operational uncertainty persists. Campo de Gibraltar Definitive instructions from the Executive are awaited following the post-Brexit agreements, while in the autonomous cities there is concern about instability at the border.