Customs programme for cooperation in the field of customs 2021–2027

The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection adopted the report by Maria GRAPINI (S&D, RO) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the ‘Customs’ programme for cooperation in the field of customs.

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.

Subject matter

This Regulation seeks to establish the customs programme for cooperation in the field of customs for the period 2021-2027.

Objectives

The Programme has the following specific objectives:

- to assist with IT capacity building, which consists in developing, maintaining and operating the electronic systems of the Union Customs Code, and enabling a smooth transition to a paperless environment and trade in line with this Regulation;

- to finance joint actions, which consist in cooperation mechanisms enabling officials to carry out joint operational activities under their core responsibilities, share experience in the customs field and join efforts to deliver on customs policy; 

- to enhance human competencies, supporting the professional skills of customs officials and empowering them to fulfill their role on a uniform basis; 

- to support innovation in the area of customs policy.

The Programme shall also support the continuous evaluation and monitoring of the cooperation between customs authorities with a view to identifying weaknesses and possible improvements. It shall be consistent with and exploit any synergies with other Union action programmes and funds with similar objectives in related fields.

Budget

The financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 842 844 000 in 2018 prices.

The Programme shall not be used to cover costs relating to the potential withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the Union. The Commission shall reserve upon its own assessment resources in order to cover the costs relating to the disengagement of the United Kingdom from all Union customs systems and cooperation, and the lapsing of its legal obligations in this area. 

Multiannual work programmes

The Programme shall be implemented by multiannual work programmes which shall set out the objectives to be pursued, the expected results, the method of implementation and the total amount of the financing plan. They shall also set out in detail a description of the actions to be financed, an indication of the amount allocated to each action and an indicative implementation timetable. The multiannual work programmes shall be, communicated to the European Parliament where applicable.