Brussels, 18/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Monday the European Commission adopted a regulation aiming at increased security for shipments entering or leaving the EU and providing greater facilitation for compliant operators. It introduces a framework for better risk analysis of goods crossing EU borders. From 1 January 2008, reliable traders (Authorised Economic Operators) respecting high standard security criteria will benefit from trade facilitation measures and from 1 July 2009 the electronic exchange of advance information between traders and customs authorities on all goods entering or leaving the EU, will be introduced. The regulation also requires customs authorities to exchange information electronically on exports in order to speed up export procedures.
The measures introduced aim at increasing the level of protection offered by customs controls for goods entering or leaving the European Community. These measures should produce faster and better targeted customs controls that facilitate legitimate trade but tighten minimum security and safety requirements. They consist of the introduction of a new risk management framework. Customs expertise in controlling goods, backed up by the use of modern IT systems and an efficient risk assessment, is vital to detect illegal goods crossing the EU borders such as drugs, explosive materials or nuclear and chemical weapons. The new regulation introduces better risk information sharing mechanism and setting uniform Community risk-selection criteria for controls, supported by computerised systems. The Authorized Economic Operator status will meant that reliable and compliant traders will benefit from simplifications in the customs procedures and/or from facilitation with regard to customs controls relating to safety and security under the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Certification scheme. The AEO concept should ensure a safer and more secure end-to-end supply chain. Being recognised as an AEO will constitute an added value for the operator, as it demonstrates compliance with solid security criteria and controls. This will provide a competitive advantage to participating companies. Information on goods prior leaving or entering the EU territory. Traders will have to supply customs authorities with advance information on goods brought into, or out of, the European Community (entry and exit summary declarations). This will enable customs authorities to carry out better risk analysis, e.g. before goods arrive in the customs territory, and to focus on high risk cargo due to the availability of risk-information at an early stage. It will also allow quicker processing and release upon arrival, resulting in a benefit for traders. It will also allow quicker processing and release upon arrival. Improved Export control. Customs authorities will be required to exchange information electronically on exports between the customs offices involved in the procedure. This constitutes the first step in the full computerisation of the EU customs; the so-called electronic customs project. Once all Member States are connected to the Export Control System (expected by July 2007 at the latest) Community exporters will receive the proof of export immediately after the exit of goods, enabling all related processes (VAT refunds, etc.) to be speeded up. (ol)