Brussels, 02/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - New customs rules came into force on Sunday 1 May. The new Union Customs Code (UCC) represents a major overhaul of existing EU customs legislation, which dates back to 1992.
It seeks to streamline customs legislation and procedures across the EU; offer greater legal certainty and uniformity to businesses and increase clarity for customs officials; simplify customs rules and procedures to make customs transactions more efficient and modern; complete the shift to a paperless and fully electronic and interoperable customs environment; and introduce more speedy customs procedures for compliant and trustworthy businesses. The UCC should be fully implemented by the end of 2020. During the transitional period, the new rules will apply by using existing IT systems and, in some cases, paper forms. (Original version in French by Élodie Lamer)