^{PRESS RELEASE
12th March, 2026 — Budapest, Hungary}

The PACK project, an ambitious three-year research and innovation initiative financed by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, is driving a breakthrough in customs and freight security. Launched in October 2025 and co-coordinated by General Mechatronics Llc. and SFC Nonprofit Llc., the project unites partners from across Europe to develop a Persistent Awareness system facilitating Customs checKs — a next-generation solution designed to make international freight transport safer, faster and more transparent.

About the PACK Project

The project reflects the EU’s commitment to enhancing security and resilience across its borders through technology-driven innovation. It brings together a diverse consortium of technical, academic and operational partners from six European countries: General Mechatronics Llc.; Székely Family and Co. Nonprofit Llc.; the National Tax and Customs Administration (Hungary); Autoritatea Vamală Română (Romania); the Institute of Artificial Intelligence Problems (Ukraine); the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems at the National Technical University of Athens (Greece); the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Informatics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (Poland); and the Communications and Transport Systems Faculty of Linköping University (Sweden).

Smarter, Safer Freight and Supply Chains

Current customs processes often require lengthy truck inspections at borders, creating bottlenecks, increasing costs and slowing the flow of goods. The PACK project tackles this challenge head-on by harnessing cutting-edge IoT sensors, edge-based AI and secure connectivity to transform how cargo is monitored and controlled in transit.

The project’s innovative solutions will combine:

•  Intelligent software: enabling real-time data exchange with customs systems.
• Smart seal: continuously tracking cargo integrity with secure, tamper-resistant hardware.
• Advanced sensor modules: monitoring environmental conditions and detecting unauthorized access inside cargo compartments.

“By integrating these technologies, PACK will streamline customs checks and reduce unnecessary stops at EU external borders, allowing authorities to focus on high-risk inspections without compromising trade flows,” says Zoltán Székely from SFC.

Real-World Validation and Impact

The PACK system will be tested in realistic operational environments alongside actual customs inspections, giving key stakeholders — including customs and law enforcement agencies — direct insight into its performance and impact. This real-world validation phase is crucial for demonstrating reliability, effectiveness and readiness for broader deployment across Europe.

Benefits for Trade and Transport

Once deployed at scale, PACK is expected to:

• Speed up border crossings and reduce wait times for freight trucks.
• Cut logistical costs and time delays in commercial transport.
• Improve security and compliance with customs regulations EU-wide.
• Reduce environmental impact by optimizing operations and lowering emissions.

For more information, visit the project website: pack-project.com.

Media Contact: Orsolya-Székely Keresztesi

E-mail: info@pack-project.com

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the Grant Agreement No. 101225875.