An expert group set up in autumn 2021 presented, on Thursday 31 March, ten recommendations to enable European customs to meet the challenges of changing global trade.
Among the ideas put forward is the creation of a European Customs Agency, which would create added value without changing the balance of competences at national and European level.
The experts also recommend the establishment of a framework of Responsibility and Trust in which companies would apply for a reformed status of ‘Authorised Economic Operators’ to gain access to the EU market. Small non-commercial items would continue to be sent according to the usual procedures.
Furthermore, in an increasingly dematerialised environment, a new approach to data is recommended to reduce reliance on customs declarations, to obtain better quality data and to provide businesses with a single entry point for their customs formalities. This approach will also improve data sharing between market surveillance, law enforcement and tax authorities.
According to experts, the €150 duty-free threshold for e-commerce should be removed and the rates for low-value shipments simplified.
Following a reflection involving Member States and stakeholders, the European Commission will make specific proposals by the end of 2022.
See the report: https://aeur.eu/f/127 (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)