CTT sees EU rule changes opening door to acquisitions
CTT says new EU e-commerce rules are reshaping logistics flows and could create acquisition opportunities as smaller customs operators struggle with added complexity.
CTT sees recent EU e-commerce rule changes as a potential opening for acquisitions and partnerships, as the new framework increases demand for customs clearance and fulfilment services and may accelerate consolidation in the sector. That matters for international logistics and online retail groups using Portugal and Iberia as gateways into Europe.
In written answers to ECO, chief executive Guy Pacheco said the regulatory shift is reorganising supply chains, especially for goods arriving from Asia, with more products being imported, cleared through customs under B2B models and stored in Europe before sale. He said platforms such as Shein and Temu are gradually reducing their reliance on direct shipment of small parcels from Asia and expanding their European footprint through local warehouses and distribution centres, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe.
Pacheco said the changes make cross-border e-commerce operations more demanding from a customs and tax perspective, increasing the value of operators with specialist expertise, technology and international scale. “As the market evolves towards models based on B2B customs clearance, warehousing and fulfilment, it may make sense to expand capacities, organically or through partnerships and acquisitions,” he told ECO.
The shift has also required operational adjustments at Cacesa, the Spanish logistics operator acquired by CTT last year. When reporting first-half results on July 28, CTT described a “challenging regulatory context” driving volatility across the sector, said it was taking protective measures including workforce reductions in Cacesa’s geographies, and cut its 2026 recurring operating profit guidance to €115 million-€125 million from a previous expectation of at least €125 million.
Pacheco said smaller operators, particularly in customs clearance, may struggle to absorb the added operational, technological and legal complexity of the new rules. He said CTT will keep investing in technology, staff capabilities and its Iberian logistics network while selectively assessing partnerships or acquisitions that strengthen its position in the logistics chain.
Originally published at Eco.pt