The European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services (CLECAT) called on the European Commission on Thursday 19 March to take steps to ease customs formalities to ensure the movement of essential goods across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a letter addressed to EU Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, the association asks the Commission, among other things, to allow the deferred payment of customs debts and other taxes, as allowed under the EU Customs Code in certain specific circumstances.
“Across Europe, governments have announced measures which allow the delayed payment of taxes such as income tax, corporate tax and VAT. Unfortunately, no such measures were announced in relation to customs duties and other related taxes and payments, such as interest and fines”, CLECAT complained.
While the association recognises that such decisions are a matter for the Member States, it considers that general action by the EU is necessary.
CLECAT also calls for flexibility with regard to the required deadlines for customs procedures. “Due to long waiting times at external and internal EU borders, reduced capacity for the public and private sectors, general disruption in transport and, at the same time, a major increase in the prices of certain goods, deadlines for closure of customs procedures cannot be met in all cases”, it explains.
In addition, the association is calling for pragmatic solutions that allow the digital exchange of documents related to customs formalities in order to safeguard the health of workers and minimise workload and waiting times.
It also calls on the Commission to help customs authorities minimise non-essential physical and administrative controls and focus on crucial formalities.
See the letter: https://bit.ly/2Umzinn (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)