Representatives from trade and business sectors are prepared to collaborate with all EU institutions to transform the customs union into a catalyst for future competitiveness within the European Union.
Union Customs Code
Trade and business associations representing various sectors in the liner shipping industry express strong support for the European Commission’s proposed comprehensive reform of the EU Customs Union. They emphasize the importance of achieving a balance between trade simplification and enforcement while promoting a cohesive and harmonized interpretation of customs rules across the European Union. The associations, as active members of the European Commission’s Trade Contact Group, are committed to collaborating closely with the Commission, European Parliament, and EU Member States to ensure the successful implementation of the Union Customs Code reform, recognizing its crucial role in facilitating compliant and efficient international trade.
Impact of UCC electronic systems
Trade representatives emphasize the need for close collaboration with EU Institutions during the upcoming co-decision process, as the proposed reforms have not adequately considered industry input. They highlight the importance of adapting the proposals to the realities of business, trade, and different modes of transportation. The goal is to meet the expectations and requirements of a modern global customs environment through an open exchange between political, administrative, and operational parties. The lack of simplification, uniformity in customs rule application, and fully electronic customs processes have been observed, falling short of the original objectives of the Union Customs Code (UCC). The deployment of electronic systems faces significant challenges, and there are variations in the interpretation and implementation of customs rules among EU Member States. The current state of UCC electronic systems negatively impacts European businesses, and the Commission is urged to address this issue promptly, without waiting for the implementation of the reformed UCC.
EU customs and WTO rules
The coalition group highlights the importance of ensuring that the reform of the EU customs system aligns with WTO rules, particularly the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA). They emphasize that the TFA has played a crucial role in simplifying, modernizing, and harmonizing export and import processes. EU traders and businesses of all sizes have benefited from the application of TFA rules, which facilitate the movement, release, and clearance of goods. The coalition group urges EU institutions to carefully consider this aspect during the future review of the UCC reform proposal.
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Source: Xinde Marine
