Union Customs Code: prolonging the transitional use of means other than the electronic data-processing techniques

The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted the report by Jasenko SELIMOVIC (ALDE, SE) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 to prolong the transitional use of means other than the electronic data-processing techniques provided for in the Union Customs Code.

As a reminder, the Commission proposes to amend Article 278 of the Code so that the transitional arrangements for the exchange and storage of customs information (i.e. existing electronic and paper-based systems) can continue to be used after 2020 and no later than 2025 for the customs processes covered by the electronic systems that will not be implemented by 2020.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament's position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission's proposal as follows:

• until 31 December 2023 at the latest, means for the storage and exchange of information other than the electronic data-processing techniques may be used on a transitional basis, where the electronic systems which are necessary for the application of the following provisions of the Code are not yet operational;
• Parliament should be fully involved in monitoring the setting up of the electronic systems that will not be implemented by 2020 by inviting the European Commission to report, one year after the entry into force of this Regulation and every year thereafter, on the progresses achieved and challenges ahead as regards to the completion of that work.