The EU customs competency framework : modernising customs through competency-based human resource management.
Date: 2017-01-16
Institutions: Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union
Subjects: EU customs procedure, company modernisation, customs, customs harmonisation, customs profession, professional qualifications, updating of skills

T H E   E U   C U S T O M S   C O M P E T E N C Y   F R A M E W O R K

Modernising customs

through competency-based 

human resource management

Taxation and
Customs Union

What is the EU Customs Competency 
Framework?

The EU Customs Competency Framework (EU CFW) is a key tool for modernising customs 
workforce through training and wider human resource (HR) development initiatives. 
It aims to make optimal use of staff competencies to increase the perfor-
mance of an entire organisation. Through two tailor-made versions, the EU CFW 
addresses public customs administrations as well as trade.

The EU CFW is based on three pillars: skills, behaviours and knowledge, which are 
recognised as fundamental for professionals working within public customs organisations 
and private businesses dealing with customs. 

What does it contain?

>   A set of four categories of competencies at different proficiency levels 

(aware, trained, advanced and expert): 

•  customs core values, 
•  professional competencies, 
•  operational competencies, 
•  management competencies.

>   Public and private customs role descriptions (‘job descriptions’) applied  
to various functional domains (i.e. risk, declaration processing, client management, 
etc.). The role descriptions and their associated competencies are what make up  
an individual competency profile. 

>   An Excel-based use tool forms part of the EU CFW package and facilitates the 
adaptation of the EU’s competencies and roles to the individual needs  
of the national administrations and businesses.

KNOWLEDGEWhat the individual needs to knowSKILLSWhat the individual needs to be able to doBEHAVIOURSHow the individual needs to act 
 
 
 
Who can use it?
>   Public administrations and private businesses that rely on efficient and effective 

customs functions in their organisation.

>   Professionals and academic training providers to align their training/study 

programmes with competency requirements agreed upon across the EU. 

What is in it for YOU?

The EU CFW can add value at multiple levels: 
>   At European level the EU Customs Competency Framework will put in place a mechanism 

that will help to raise the level of performance across the European Customs Union. 

>   At national level the introduction of competency-based HR management can bring  

a variety of direct advantages to those who embrace it:

•  Improved response  

to training needs and gaps
•  Improved training investment

•      Identification of expected  

critical vacancies

•     Identification of employees 

and candidate gaps

Improved 
Learning/
Training

Succession 
Planning

Development 
& Career 
Planning

Higher- 
Performing 
Workforce

Competency 
framework

Recruitment 
& Selection

Improved 
Gap 
Assessment

Strategic 
Workforce 
Planning

•  Assessment of which 

competencies and levels  
of proficiency are required 
for the roles within  
the organisation

•  Exchange of best practices 
and tools for successful 
performance across EU

• Strategic planning  
enabler for leaders

•  Information for tactical 

resource decisions

•  Enhanced individual 

development

•  Enhanced organisational 

development

•  Identification of behaviours 

for high performance

•  Better exchange  
of ‘best practices’

• Matching values and competencies 

of potential new hires to the 
organisational values and the 
competencies required for the role

K
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0
1
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1
5
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4
5
5
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E
N
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N

What else?

The EU CFW has set the basis for further developments:

Training curricula for customs 
authorities and trade

Learning Topics’ and 
‘Learning Outcomes’ for training 
programmes tailored towards customs 
professionals working 
in the European Union

A set of reference training/study 
programmes to be used 
by customs training providers

Basis to build or enhance vocational 
and/or academic training/study 
programmes (Bachelors, Masters), 
and training materials

EU Recognition Process for 
customs training programmes

Quality label for accredited 
customs training/study programmes

This will help to further harmonise and raise customs performance standards 
throughout the European Customs Union. 

Where can you find the EU CFW?

The public sector version of the EU Customs CFW is available in 22 EU languages;  
the private sector version is available in English. 

Are you willing to take this CHANGE journey or do you just want to know more 
about the EU CFW? Visit the Europa website: 
http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/eu_training/competency/index_en.htm

More information on the European Union is available 

on the Internet (http://europa.eu)

© European Union, 2015

Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.

ISBN 978-92-79-48548-0

doi:10.2778/065366

The EU CFW and other related documents can be downloadedFOR FREE