The European Parliament adopted by 520 votes to 29, with 48 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 laying down the Union Customs Code.
Parliament adopted its position at first reading in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure.
The proposal makes technical amendments to the Union Customs Code (UCC) to ensure that the Code meets its objectives of improving the competitiveness of European businesses, but also better protecting the financial and economic interests of the Union and the Member States and the safety and security of EU consumers.
The amendments introduced aim to (i) implement the basic objectives of enabling the Customs Union to function effectively and to implement the common commercial policy, (ii) solve a number of technical issues that have been identified in the implementation of the Code since its entry into force and (iii) align the Code with international trade agreements that were not in force at the time of its adoption.
In addition, the proposal amends the definition of the customs territory of the Union to include the Italian municipality of Campione d'Italia and the Italian waters of Lake Lugano within its scope. The inclusion of these two territories in the customs territory of the Union shall apply from 1 January 2020.