Detection and characterisation of threats or illegal/ smuggled goods in cargo

¿De qué trata esta convocatoria?

The topic funds the development and testing of technologies that help customs and security authorities detect threats and smuggled or illegal goods in cargo across transport modes and the supply chain.

¿Qué financia esta convocatoria?

Scope

Organised crime and terrorist groups exploit high-volume trade flows to hide threats and illegal or dangerous goods in commercial cargo. The topic funds the development and testing of solutions for cargo security in one or more transport modes (maritime, air, postal, road or rail) and at one or more key points of the supply chain. Proposals are expected to address one option, which should be explicitly selected:

• Option a: security of cargo.
• Option b: detection of smuggled and trafficked goods or materials in cargo.

Targets and technologies

Detection may cover explosive or incendiary devices, drugs and precursors, illegally traded species and cultural property, contraband, weapons, CBRN-E material, F-gases and trafficking methods. Technologies may include sensors, artificial intelligence, tracking and tracing, distributed ledgers, non-intrusive inspection and automated threat recognition. Solutions should cover the whole supply chain, be interoperable with customs equipment and systems, and consider cybersecurity, cost, energy efficiency and environmental impact.

Expected outcomes

Projects contribute to some or all of: more secure transport, cargo and supply chains; better capabilities to detect, characterise, trace and seize dangerous or illicit goods; more mobile and agile customs resources; and interoperable customs control equipment with stronger inter-agency and cross-border cooperation. Activities are expected to reach TRL 4-5.

Further expectations

• Proposals should plan a mid-term deliverable in which the practitioners involved assess the project's outcomes.

¿Cuándo termina el plazo?

4 de noviembre de 2027 (363 días)

4 November 2027 (single-stage submission).