Brussels, 18/03/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 17 March, the EU Council of Ministers adopted two customs regulations without debate. The first amends Regulation No918/83 on setting up a Community system of relief from customs duty in order to bring it into line with Directive 2007/74/EC on the exemption from value added tax and excise duty of goods imported by persons travelling from third countries (see EUROPE 9574). The second regulation amends Regulation No2198/87 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the common customs tariff.
As of 1 December 2008, imports of goods which are subject to the application of common trade defence measures will be excluded from the system of customs relief. Also excluded from the system will be imports of household effects for furnishing a secondary residence in an EU member state. Given the rise in electronic trade, the maximum limit for consignments of negligible value is fixed at €150, after being €22 since 1991. Finally, in line with Directive 2007/74/EC, the legislative amendment eliminates import duties on goods contained in the personal luggage of travellers coming from third countries, provided that such imports are exempt from value added tax under provisions of national law.
The Council also adopted a regulation adjusting the rate on goods contained in consignments sent by private individuals or in travellers' luggage. The flat rate will be 2.5% as of 1 December 2008, although it had been 3.5% since 1977 for goods of up to a maximum value of €350. (M.B.)