Enhancing Europe’s post and parcel security
Driven by a surge in e-commerce, the European post, parcel and courier market is growing fast. According to the European Commission, the number of low-value ecommerce parcels entering the EU(opens in new window) increased to 5.8 billion in 2025 – a 26 % rise from the previous year. While this is good news for the economy, it does create new challenges, especially for customs and border patrol. “The huge increase in postal and express parcels means border authorities now face the near impossible task of detecting illicit goods – explosives, weapons, narcotics, chemicals or nuclear and biological substances – from coming into the EU,” says Valentina Scioneri, project administrator and senior researcher at CBRA Services. Making this task even more difficult is the fact that authorities are still using classic detection methods like physical inspections and K9 units – neither of which can keep up with the vast amounts of packages that require inspection. This is where the EU-funded PARSEC project(opens in new window) comes in. Led by CBRA Services, who also coordinates the EU-funded BORDERLINK project, PARSEC is delivering a set of solutions to fight the use of postal and express courier flows for criminal purposes without slowing down the parcel flow. “In doing so, we’re helping create a safer society where goods can freely travel into and across the EU Internal Market,” adds Frank Janssens, a researcher at CBRA Services and PARSEC Project Coordinator.
Innovative detection technologies for parcel services
The project developed and tested three next generation, non-intrusive risk analysis approaches and detection technologies: a multi-energy photon counting detector, computed tomography x-ray scan, and x-ray diffraction. The solutions are combined into a detection architecture, or system-of-systems, designed for optimal detection accuracy, speed and reliability. “As a system, these solutions redefine the threat detection capabilities of parcel service providers, custom authorities, police agencies and other security stakeholders,” explains Janssens. The system was demonstrated to authorities at a PostNL facility in the Netherlands. “This was the moment when all the pieces came together,” notes Scioneri. “Seeing the integrated architecture process real parcel flows and detect genuine threat materials is the clearest possible validation of our four years of work.”
Adjusting detection based on risks
In addition to the detection technologies, the project also enriched and completed threat risk analysis, along with a flow-simulation tool that authorities can use to help set up security systems within re-engineered sorting centres. When combined with the detection architecture, users can zoom in on specific threats. For example, the equipment can be configured to detect all threats, or to concentrate on specific threats such as soft drugs hidden in parcels. “This ensures that the sorting centre can adjust the level of detection based on actual risks and thus limit its impact on processing times,” remarks Janssens.
Controlling the flow of packages and parcels
The PARSEC project has helped the EU regain control over the flow of parcels across its borders. “We provided the solutions postal and express operators, customs and police authorities need to better fight crime and terrorism and ensure safe and undisrupted postal and express services,” concludes Scioneri. The project is now further developing their solutions and working with border authorities to implement their detection system within the operational environment.
