Brussels, 14/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Friday, the United States made a formal request for a dispute settlement panel to be set up against the European Union at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The panel will then be asked to rule on whether the absence of a common and uniform EU customs administration constitutes a trade obstacle for American exporters. Bilateral consultations took place in November 2004, but without success. According to the US, the lack of harmonisation in the EU customs regime penalises American exports, and is particularly damaging to small and medium-sized enterprises. The problem is not new, but it took on a whole new dimension after enlargement on 1 May 2004, says Washington. The American administration stresses that the WTO obliges its members to govern customs legislation "in a uniform, impartial and reasonable manner". The Commission, on the other hand, feels that the American complaint has no legal basis, as, it insists, it fulfils all of its customs requirements laid down by the WTO. The Commission goes on to explain that the WTO does not require its members to establish a centralised structure to oversee customs administration. Furthermore, the EU has brought in several legal, institutional and administrative instruments, under the aegis of the Commission, to ensure uniform customs treatment in all Member States.