Container control extension until 2030 in ports: what changes for operators and transporters

Key data

Port operators, international transporters and foreign trade companies that move cargo through Spanish ports should know that the customs control and security framework has been formally extended until 2030. The Resolution of June 23, 2026 from the Undersecretary publishes the amendment that extends the original 2022 agreement between the State Tax Administration Agency (AEAT) and Puertos del Estado. The agreement had been in force since 2022 and expired on June 8, 2026, the date from which the extension takes effect, following registration in the State Electronic Register of Organisms.

The official justification is clear: the good results obtained in customs control and port security during the previous four years support the continuity of this inter-institutional collaboration.

What does this regulation establish?

The extended agreement regulates three major areas of action in Spanish Port Authority facilities:

The original agreement dates from 2022 and was the framework that allowed this technological infrastructure to be deployed in ports. The amendment does not change the substantive conditions: it simply extends the validity four more years, until 2030, maintaining the same collaboration model between AEAT—responsible for customs control—and Puertos del Estado—manager of port infrastructure.

The MEGAPORT system, expressly mentioned, is a program for detecting radiological and nuclear materials in containers, promoted within the framework of international cooperation on port security. Its continuity is guaranteed under this agreement.

Economic and operational impact

For companies operating in the port environment, this extension has direct operational consequences:

• No changes in customs clearance procedures: existing non-intrusive controls continue without modification. There are no new documentary obligations directly derived from this amendment.
• Maintenance of current transit times: the scanner infrastructure is already deployed. The extension does not add new control points or additional equipment that would extend waiting times in port beyond current levels.
• Enhanced inspection risk for sensitive cargo: the express authorization to Security Forces and Bodies to use this equipment in response to Interior alerts means that, in alert situations, any cargo or vehicle can be scanned without prior notice. This is especially relevant for transporters of high-value goods or cargo transiting routes with high-risk profiles.
• License plate traceability: license plate reading cameras record the movements of all vehicles in port facilities. This information can be consulted by AEAT and Security Forces within the scope of their competencies.

Who does it affect?

• Port operators and container terminals: their daily activity is conducted under the coverage of these control systems. They must maintain cooperation with AEAT and Port Authorities in the use of equipment.
• Road transporters with port activity: trucks accessing port facilities are recorded by license plate cameras and may be subject to non-intrusive scanning.
• Foreign trade companies (importers and exporters): their containerized cargo may be inspected by scanner. An anomalous result may lead to physical inspection and delays in clearance.
• Freight forwarders and customs agents: must understand the current framework to correctly advise their clients on port control procedures.
• Port Authorities: as owners of the facilities where equipment is located, they maintain their cooperation obligations with AEAT under this agreement.

Practical example

An electronics component importing company that receives containerized cargo through the Port of Valencia has been operating under this framework since 2022. With the extension until 2030, the scenario is as follows:

When the container arrives at the terminal, the non-intrusive scanner system (which may include MEGAPORT equipment if the port has it) analyzes the contents without need for physical opening. If the result is consistent with the customs declaration, clearance proceeds normally. If an anomaly is detected—or if there is a security alert issued by Interior—Security Forces and Bodies can request access to the equipment for more detailed inspection, which may involve physical opening of the container and delivery delay.

For the transporter collecting the cargo, their license plate is recorded in the OCR camera system when entering and leaving the port facility. This information is available to AEAT and Security Forces in the exercise of their competencies.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify that customs documentation is rigorous and consistent: scanner systems detect discrepancies between declared and actual content. Incorrect declaration may result in physical inspection, delays and sanctioning proceedings by AEAT.
2. Inform logistics and transport departments: operations managers should know that technological control in ports continues until 2030 without changes in procedures. There are no new obligations, but neither is there relaxation of existing controls.
3. Review protocols for inspections: if a container or vehicle is selected for physical inspection after scanning, the operator must be clear on the procedure: who is the contact with AEAT, what documentation to present and how to manage the delay in the supply chain.
4. Update freight forwarders and customs agents: inform them that the regulatory framework has been extended until 2030 so they can correctly advise on current controls in each port.
5. Stay alert to possible Interior security alerts: in situations of alert issued by the Ministry of Interior, controls may intensify. Having a contingency protocol for port delays reduces the impact on the supply chain.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-14403