A paperless environment for customs and trade

SUMMARY OF:

Decision No 70/2008/EC replacing paper-format customs procedures with EU-wide electronic ones

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISION?

It aims to promote electronic customs (e-customs) in the European Commission. Such systems facilitate trade by reducing costs and coordinating procedures. They also permit the exchange of data between the customs administrations of EU countries, traders and the Commission. In this way, they improve and facilitate supply chain logistics and customs processes.

KEY POINTS

Following on from the 2003 communication on creating a simple and paperless environment for customs and trade, it was agreed under this decision that the Commission and the EU countries would set up:

secure;
integrated;
interoperable; and
accessible e-customs systems for the exchange of
- data contained in customs declarations
- documents accompanying customs declarations and certificates and
- other relevant information.

The Commission and the EU countries are to establish the structure and means for the operation of those e-customs systems.

Measures

To meet the objectives set out in the decision, the EU needs to:

harmonise the exchange of information;
review customs processes with a view to optimising their efficiency and effectiveness;
offer traders a wide range of e-customs services.

The Commission’s role

The Commission must coordinate:

the setting-up, testing, operation and maintenance of the EU components of the computerised systems;
the systems and services set out in this proposal with other projects concerning e-government services;
the parallel development of national and EU elements;
automatic customs services and single-window services* at EU level;
the completion of the tasks allocated to it under a multiannual strategic plan;
training needs.

The Commission must also monitor progress with regard to the Customs Policy Group. It must also initiate regular consultations with the economic stakeholders concerned.

Role of EU countries

EU countries must ensure the following:

the setting-up, testing, operation and maintenance of the national components of the computerised systems;
the coordination of the systems and services provided for in this decision with other relevant projects relating to e-government at national level;
the completion of the tasks allocated to them under the multiannual strategic plan and work programmes — the latest work programme is contained in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/578 on developing and deploying the electronic systems needed to implement the EU Customs Code (which replaced the Community Customs Code);
the promotion and implementation at national level of e-customs services and single-window services;
training for officials.

Timetable for automated customs services

The decision contains a list of systems and databases and sets out the timetable for their implementation. Single-window services should be available within 6 years.

Financing

The decision states that the costs of its implementation were to be shared between the EU and EU countries based on their EU or national character. EU countries were to develop cost-sharing models. Currently, EU aspects of the work to modernise customs receive funding under the Customs 2020 action programme.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DECISION APPLY?

It has applied since 15 February 2008.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

Electronic customs (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Single-window services: a facility which allows parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardised information and documents with a single entry point to fulfil all import, export and transit-related regulatory requirements. If information is electronic, individual data elements only need to be submitted once.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Decision No 70/2008/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 15 January 2008 on a paperless environment for customs and trade (OJ L 23, 26.1.2008, pp. 21-26).