Strasbourg, 11/12/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 11 December, the European Parliament adopted the report by Christopher Heaton-Harris (Conservative, UK) on the draft decision on a paperless environment for customs and trade (the “eCustoms” programme). The report approved the Council's common position on this issue without amendment, clearing the way for definitive adoption of the programme (see EUROPE 9422). “Pan-European electronic customs will increase the competitiveness of companies doing business in Europe, reduce compliance costs and improve security at the EU borders,” said European Customs Union Commissioner László Kovács in a press release.
The eCustoms programme will see the phased inter-connection of member states electronic customs systems, particularly through the setting up of a common electronic portal. Automated import/export/transit systems, a one-stop shop for the control of goods at the same time and in the same place, and a single registration and identification system for economic operators are among the plans. By 2011, economic operators will provide all the information required by European customs legislation on cross-border movement of goods within the EU electronically. Henceforth, paper submissions will be the exception. (M.B.)