Customs

The primary focus of the customs administration has traditionally been the administration of taxes and duties. Today, however, it is responsible in almost equal measure for performing monitoring tasks relating to the trading of international goods:

• With the electronic customs system “e-zoll”, the customs administration facilitates the electronic networking of and communication with authorities at a domestic and EU-wide level.
• Each day, the customs administration conducts some 22,000 clearances of goods to and from third countries.
• The customs administration protects Austrian citizens and the country’s economy from product piracy, counterfeiting and dangerous goods.
• The customs administration verifies export refunds for Austrian agricultural products.
• The customs administration administers numerous international treaties governing the preferential treatment of imports and exports.

In view of the important role the customs administration plays in securing and administering taxes and duties, it employs approximately 1,750 civil servants, all of whom make a significant contribution to strengthening and protecting Austria’s economy and Austrian jobs.

The pages that follow offer useful information about the Austrian customs system, particularly the current regulations regarding passenger travel. In addition, the customs directory provides contact details for every customs office in Austria.

Additional useful information is available on the European Customs Information Portal set up by the European Commission's DG for Taxation and Customs Union.