Brussels, 17/01/2005 (Agence Europe) - In response to a series of requests, the European Commission has decided to extend until 31 January 2005 the deadline for submitting a questionnaire on updating the EU Customs Code. The questionnaire gives companies and authorities their last chance to explain the impact of the new Customs Code on their business. In October 2004, the Commission published its multi-annual eCustoms strategy on the Customs Directorate General's website.
During the summer of 2004 public consultations were held on planned changes to the EU Customs Code. The review aims to simplify customs rules, cut costs for business and put economic operators on an even footing. It includes measures on the safety of goods crossing international borders. The measures will need one more round of formal adoption before companies would be required to provide information ahead of the import or export of goods in order to meet the requirements of the US Container Security Initiative.