Ministry of Finance: changes in the Customs system will cut red tape, facilitate business competitiveness

On Wednesday, the Government approved the proposal of the Ministry of Finance to reform the Lithuanian Customs system by merging its institutions into a single legal entity, the Lithuanian Customs. These changes aim at increasing the efficiency and transparency of customs activities, speeding up decision-making and the provision of customs services.

"The reform will simplify the customs management structure and pave the way for more efficient and consistent customs operations throughout the national territory. By optimising internal administration, the human resources freed up will be channelled where they are most needed – to customs posts, the border and the control of international sanctions. This is important both for strengthening Lithuania's security and for creating more favourable conditions for business competitiveness", Minister of Finance K. Vaitiekūnas states.

Currently, the Lithuanian Customs system consists of the Customs Department, territorial customs offices and special customs offices acting as separate legal entities. Although part of the functions is centralised, the existing legal regulation obliges each body to manage financial, asset and document management independently, resulting in repetition of administrative processes, increased costs and fewer resources being left to the core functions of customs.

The amendments to the laws propose to merge all customs offices into one legal entity, the Lithuanian Customs. Instead of the current Customs Department, territorial and special customs offices, a single organizational structure would be formed with offices, departments, boards, divisions, customs posts and a training centre. This would fully centralise administrative functions, harmonise operational standards and reduce administrative costs by up to 30%.

Last updated: 12-02-2026

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