Action programme for customs (Customs 2020), 2014-2020

PURPOSE : to establish a multi-annual action programme Customs 2020 to improve the functioning of the customs union.

LEGISLATIVE ACT : Regulation (EU) n° 1294/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an action programme for customs in the European Union for the period 2014-2020 (Customs 2020) and repealing Decision No 624/2007/EC.

CONTENT : in order to ensure the continuation of the previous multi-annual action programme for customs, this Regulation establishes a new programme in the same area, the Customs 2020 programme to support the functioning of the customs union.

The Programme shall be open to participation by acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates benefiting from a pre-accession strategy, as well as partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy under certain conditions.

Specific objectives: these shall be to: (i) support customs authorities in protecting the financial and economic interests of the Union and of the Member States, including the fight against fraud and the protection of intellectual property rights, (ii) increase safety and security, (iii) protect citizens and the environment, (iv) improve the administrative capacity of the customs authorities and (v) strengthen the competitiveness of European businesses.

The operational objectives of the Programme shall be to:

·        support the preparation, coherent application and effective implementation of Union law and policy in the field of customs;

·        support the European Information Systems for customs;

·        develop, share and apply best working practices and administrative procedures, in particular further to benchmarking activities;

·        reinforce the skills and competences of customs officials;

·        improve cooperation between customs authorities and international organisations, third countries, other governmental authorities, as well as economic operators.

Financial framework: the financial envelope for the implementation of the Programme for the period 2014-2020 is set at EUR 522 943 000 in current prices. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the European Parliament and the Council within the limits of the multiannual financial framework.

Indicative amounts shall be allocated to eligible actions as follows:

·        Joint actions (seminars and workshops, project groups, information and communication activities: maximum 20 %

·        IT capacity building: at least 75 %

·        Human competency building: maximum 5 %

Union financial support for eligible actions shall take the form of: (a) grants; (b) public procurement contracts; (c) reimbursement of costs incurred by the external experts.

Evaluation: the Commission shall, by 30 June 2018, draw up a mid-term evaluation report on the achievement of the objectives of the actions under the Programme, the efficiency of the use of resources and the added value of the Programme at the European level. By 31 December 2021, it shall draw up a final evaluation report.

The Commission will be assisted by the Customs 2020 Committee for the implementation of the Programme.

ENTRY INTO FORCE : 23.12.2013. The Regulation is applicable from 01.01.2014.

DELEGATED ACTS : the Commission may adopt delegated acts in order to respond appropriately to changes in policy priorities. The power to adopt such acts is conferred on the Commission for a period starting on 1 January 2014 and ends on 31 December 2020. The European Parliament or the Council may raise objections with regard to a delegated act within two months of the date of notification (which may be extended by two months). If Parliament or Council raise objections, the delegated act will not enter into force.