EU/New Zealand Agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters

2016/0006(NLE)

The Committee on International Trade adopted the report by Daniel CASPARY (EPP, DE) on the draft Council decision 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.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament give its approval to the conclusion of the Agreement.

As indicated in the explanatory memorandum accompanying the report, the Agreement between the EU and New Zealand on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters can be seen as another step in deepening the EU-New Zealand trade and economic relationship by creating a more trade-friendly and secure customs environment.

The Agreement was signed on 3 July 2017. It is aimed at:

  • benefitting legitimate trade by creating a more predictable and trade-friendly exchange;
  • further enabling exchange of information and cooperation of customs authorities;
  • promoting modern and simple procedures in order to save time and money in getting goods through customs, thus creating a level playing field for economic operators on both sides;
  • helping to prevent, investigate and combat breaches of customs legislation, and thus helping to protect consumers by stopping harmful or illegal goods reaching the European market.

In the rapporteur’s view, the conclusion of the agreement would be a welcome step towards a future free trade agreement.