European customs laboratories

Customs laboratories - the scientifi c arm of customs

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6

Other

6%

Training

3%

Analyses of 

samples 

75%

Expertise 

(including 

participations 

in committees)

16%

Elaborate matters (electronic, toys, …)

1,34%

Wood / paper

0,53%

Tobacco

0,41%

Ores and base metals

1,42%

Plastic and rubber

1,47%

Textile / Leathers and skins

2,53%

Chemicals and 

pharmaceuticals

5,33%

Alcoholic 

beverages

8,57%

Other products 

14,19%

Food

19,3%

Fuels and petroleum 

products

21,71%

Narcotics and 

psychotropic

drugs / Chemical

precursors 

23,19% 

Main laboratory activities

Type of samples analysed

Cooperation outside customs

The customs laboratories do not exist in isolation. As well as 

working on a daily basis with customs offi  ces, there are many 

other bodies with which the laboratories may cooperate, 

including universities, government ministries, private companies, 

standardisation bodies, police and veterinary services. The 

customs laboratories also maintain valuable cooperation 

among themselves through the Group of European Customs 

Laboratories (see pp. 17-20).

Get in touch!

Whatever the diff erences between the customs laboratories, 

the bottom line is that they all provide a wealth of scientifi c 

experience and expertise. So, if you have a consignment that 

needs expert analysis, the best thing you can do is to contact 

your customs laboratory (see p. 21-22 for the contact details) 

and they will be able to advise you on how to proceed. 

LABS IN ACTION: SUPPORT FOR THE SCIENTISTS OF THE FUTURE 

LABS IN ACTION: SUPPORT FOR THE SCIENTISTS OF THE FUTURE 

The Finnish Customs Laboratory, for example, cooperates 

with local universities and technical colleges by taking 

students for practical training. It also supervises students 

who do research in the laboratory as part of their Bachelors 

or Masters degrees (typically method development and 

validation projects).

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