Brussels, 26/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - As expected, in Luxembourg on Monday 25 June, the Competitiveness Council reached political agreement on the draft regulation modernising the Community Customs Code, after last week's preliminary agreement among member states' ambassadors to the EU (see EUROPE 9451). Taxation and Customs Commissioner László Kovács welcomed the news in a press release. “I am very pleased that, thanks to the efforts of the Austrian, Finnish and German presidencies, we have been able to reach an agreement in the Council. I now encourage the European Parliament to start a second reading as soon as possible after the adoption of the common position by the Council, in order rapidly to reach a final decision,” he said.
The modernised Community Customs Code will simplify customs legislation, and streamline customs processes and procedures for customs authorities and traders. It will introduce the concept of “centralised clearance”, under which authorised traders will be able to declare goods electronically and pay their customs duties at the place where they are established, irrespective of the member state through which the goods will be brought in or out of the EU customs territory, or in which they will be consumed. It also poses the question of creating the profession of customs representatives responsible for carrying out customs transactions for economic operators whom they represent. (mb)