On 28 September 2026, a panel discussion on the reformed Union Customs Code was held, chaired and hosted by Noor Sanders.

Prof. Wolffgang was one of five academics asked to share their assessment of selected aspects of the new rules. The contributions were followed by an intensive exchange with the audience.

The event was opened by Gerassimos Thomas, Director-General of DG TAXUD, who also attended the discussion in full. Several heads of Member State customs administrations were present as well, among them Nanette van Schelven (Director-General, Customs Administration of the Netherlands) and Ruth Kennedy (Commissioner and Director-General of Customs, Ireland). DG TAXUD was further represented by Vanesa Hernández Guerrero, Head of Unit, Customs Legislation, among others. Numerous representatives of the Member States to the EU, who had been involved in drafting and negotiating the new UCC, also attended. H.E. Pieter Jan Kleiweg de Zwaan, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the EU, likewise gave a presentation. The audience further included representatives of trade associations, academics such as Timothy Lyons KC and Yves Melin, and a wide range of other customs practitioners.

The presentations were followed by a Q&A session, after which a reception offered the opportunity for one-on-one conversations.

At the centre of the discussion stood the stronger Union dimension of the new Customs Code, in particular the future EU Customs Authority and the EU Customs Data Hub.