EU-New Zealand cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters

 

SUMMARY OF:

Decision (EU) 2018/601 concluding the EU-New Zealand agreement on customs matters

EU-New Zealand agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE DECISION AND THE AGREEMENT?

The decision adopts on behalf of the EU its agreement with New Zealand to cooperate and mutually assist one another with regard to customs matters.

The agreement:

• provides a comprehensive set of rules for EU and New Zealand customs cooperation;
• promotes procedures to simplify customs clearance for goods, saving time and money;
• protects the public by preventing harmful or illegal goods entering either jurisdiction.

KEY POINTS

The agreement commits EU and New Zealand customs authorities to cooperate to:

• protect legitimate trade by ensuring compliance with the law;
• supervise the safe movement of goods in both directions by focussing on supply chain security and risk management;
• maximise their contribution to the World Customs Organization and the World Trade Organization;
• implement international commitments and standards;
• cooperate in the research, development, testing and evaluation of new customs procedures, training and exchange of personnel;
• exchange information on customs legislation, implementation and procedures;
• develop joint import, export and other customs procedures;
• assist each other in preventing, identifying, investigating and suppressing customs infringements.

Mutual administrative assistance between customs authorities may be:

• officially requested or spontaneously offered;
• refused or subject to certain conditions if likely to:
  • affect the sovereignty of either New Zealand or an EU country;
  • prejudice public order, security or other essential interests;
  • violate a trade secret or legitimate commercial interests;
  • be incompatible with relevant legislation or regulations;
• postponed if it could interfere with an on-going investigation.

All information exchanged must be treated as either confidential or restricted.

A joint customs cooperation committee oversees implementation of the agreement and handles any issues or disputes which might arise.

The agreement:

• applies to the EU’s customs territory (as described in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 on the EU’s customs code) and to the territory of New Zealand, apart from Tokelau;
• does not affect the rights and obligations of either the EU or New Zealand under other international agreements they have ratified;
• takes precedence over any of their bilateral agreements on customs cooperation and mutual administrative assistance.

FROM WHEN DOES THE AGREEMENT APPLY?

The agreement entered into force on 1 May 2018. The decision has applied since 16 April 2018.

BACKGROUND

In 2017, New Zealand was the EU’s 50th largest trading partner for goods, while the EU was New Zealand’s third largest trading partner after China and Australia.

On 22 May 2018, EU governments authorised the opening of negotiations for a free trade agreement between New Zealand and the EU.

For more information, see:

• New agreement between EU and New Zealand to create a more secure and trade-friendly environment (European External Action Service).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Council Decision (EU) 2018/601 of 16 April 2018 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters (OJ L 101, 20.4.2018, p. 5)

Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters (OJ L 101, 20.4.2018, pp. 6-15)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Council Decision (EU) 2018/600 of 10 October 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters (OJ L 101, 20.4.2018, pp. 3-4)

last update 23.10.2018