Author: Theresa Linder

POHM: Ms Schmaljohann, you recently took over as head of the Hamburg main customs office. Congratulations! What in particular appealed to you about this new role?

Melanie Schmaljohann: Thank you! What appealed to me most was the enormous scope of the tasks and the opportunity to set my own priorities. The Hamburg main customs office is one of the most multifaceted authorities within Germany’s Customs Service. This complexity is what makes the location so exciting.

What first impressions have you gained working in Germany’s largest seaport, and what areas will you focus on in the future?

My first impression: I took over an office that is excellently run, both professionally and organisationally. Colleagues work with great professionalism and remarkable motivation.

My second impression: The networking in the port is exceptionally good – both between authorities and with the business community. This close integration is one of the cornerstones of success.

Customs plays a dual role in the port: we must ensure security while also collecting duties for the federal government and the EU. In addition, our checks contribute significantly to consumer, species, and market protection, along with other areas that are important to our society. At the same time, we see ourselves as a partner to the business community. Legal trade must not face unnecessary obstacles from us. This is only possible if all parties in the port continue to maintain close dialogue and develop joint solutions with an understanding of each other’s processes. I aim to contribute actively to this.

Customs is heavily integrated into European processes. How important is collaboration within the EU Customs Union, particularly for Hamburg?

European cooperation is essential. Only by exchanging information can the major EU ports learn from one another and create comparable frameworks. In many areas, this exchange already works very well. It is essential that we continue to be involved early on in legislative processes to ensure that practical experience is also taken directly into account.

Which developments at the European level are currently shaping how you work at the Hamburg customs authority?

We are watching the ongoing negotiations on the reform of the Union Customs Code with great interest. Many questions remain unresolved, making it difficult to assess the concrete impact at present. Particularly intriguing is the role of the planned customs agency and how the future data hub will be structured.

Since Brexit, trade with the UK has changed. What challenges did this create for Hamburg’s customs authorities?

With Brexit, the United Kingdom became a third country. The EU’s IT systems were updated on time, and much of the business sector was well prepared. There were no noticeable problems. The transition in Hamburg went almost entirely smoothly.

How can the customs authority help to simplify procedures and strengthen Hamburg’s competitiveness – also with regard to digital solutions?

We are continuously working to optimise our processes. Our goal is to release goods as quickly as possible. The port community will recognise that we are currently managing this effectively: there have been no significant backlogs this year. Digital systems will play an even greater role in the future – they not only accelerate processes but also assist us with carrying out risk analyses.

What relevance does sustainability have for day-today customs workflows?

Sustainability is increasingly coming into focus, particularly due to the Green Deal and its regulations. For both administration and business, this entails significant adjustments: training, new procedures, complex IT systems.

In Hamburg, we benefit from close dialogue with the port community. This allows us to implement requirements consistently without unduly burdening port operations during the implementation phase

In your view, what should European and international customs look like in the next five to ten years, and where does Hamburg fit in?

I hope that customs administrations across Europe will continue to consistently drive digitalisation and that we can collectively create a well-connected level playing field that provides a reliable foundation for competitive international trade. The Hamburg main customs office is already closely linked to major European seaports – and we want to further strengthen and expand this cooperation. Simultaneously, I believe that in close collaboration with stakeholders here, we will continue to set strong examples for modern goods management processes – best-practice solutions which other European regions can emulate.

One last question: what fascinates you personally about working in customs?

Above all, it is the diversity – few authorities cover such a broad spectrum. Personally, I am thrilled to work with committed colleagues who are willing to think in new ways and develop viable solutions – because good work thrives on dialogue.