Brussels, 15/10/2007 (Agence Europe) - At the General Affairs Council of Monday 15 October, the Council adopted without debate its common position on the proposed regulation modernising the Community customs code. This adoption will make the political agreement on this dossier, reached by the Member States at the Competitiveness Council in June, a reality (see EUROPE 9455 and 9451).
The modernised Community customs code aims to rationalise and simplify European legislation, by the introduction: - of the “centralised customs clearance” system”, by which accredited operators may declare their goods electronically and pay customs duty in their country of establishment, irrespective of the Member State by which the goods enter or leave the EU, transit through or are consumed in; - of the “accredited economic operator” status. The legislative proposal also raises the question of opening up the profession of customs representative, tasked with carrying out customs operation on behalf of businesses. (M.B.)