Lithuania’s customs corruption risk may rise if staff rotation is abandoned

Lithuania’s Special Investigation Service (STT) has warned that scrapping mandatory job rotation for customs officers could increase corruption risks, state broadcaster LRT reports.

The alert comes as parliament debates amendments to the Customs Law that would end regular transfers for most customs staff—excluding post heads and deputies. Proponents argue the change would improve working conditions and stability, but the STT counters that rotation is a key anti-corruption tool, preventing long-term informal ties between officers and businesses.

In its assessment, the STT noted that current rules allow flexible rotation models, while the proposed amendments fail to justify why alternative measures couldn’t achieve the same stability goals. Eliminating rotation entirely could also weaken management’s ability to proactively address corruption risks, the agency said.

The warning underscores Lithuania’s role in enforcing EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus, where stricter controls are needed to prevent smuggling and sanctions circumvention. “The current geopolitical situation demands stronger anti-corruption safeguards in customs,” the STT stated.

Liberal MP Vitalijus Gailius previously questioned whether the rotation removal was unintentional or a deliberate move to dismantle an anti-corruption mechanism. The broader Customs Law amendments, which also ease experience requirements for leadership roles, were submitted by the Budget and Finance Committee.