On July 11h, FEPORT attended an event on the Customs Reform which was hosted by the Polish Permanent Representation in Brussels. Aim of the event was to take stock of the results of the recently adopted Council General Approach, on the drafting of which the Polish Presidency of the Council played a key leading role.
The event featured high-level representatives from Member States such as Chair of the event Ms. Malgorzata Krok, Undersecretary of State and Deputy Head of the Polish National Revenue Administration. Also the European Commission was represented by high-level officials such as Mr Matthias Petschke, Director Customs at DG TAXUD, as well as Heads of Unit Customs Policy and Customs Legislation Ms Michele Perolat and Ms Vanesa Hernandez Guerrero.
The event was divided into two panel discussions focussing on the future of the Union Customs Code as well as the expected impact of the reform on businesses and customs administrations.
Many trade association representatives also attended the event including Mr Walter van der Meiren speaking on behalf of EEA. In his intervention during the second panel, he applauded the Council’s text progress on maintaining the AEO-C status, reinstating the temporary storage time limit on 90 days while recognising the need of strong involvement of the industry representatives united in the Trade Contact Group in the upcoming implementation of the UCC reform.
Other topics addressed during the panel discussions included e-commerce, the mandate and governance of the European Customs Authority, as well as penalties and sanctions, with a broad consensus between the European Commission and trade representatives that harmonisation is key.
Following the adoption of the Council General Approach, discussions on the Customs reform are entering their final stage as policy makers aim to agree on a text before the end of 2025.
FEPORT stands ready to provide its input during the upcoming trilogues, especially when it comes to matters related to temporary storage and the distribution of data requirements and liabilities along the supply chain.
