Integrated Border Management Fund: instrument for financial support for customs control equipment 2021–2027
The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution approving the Council's position at first reading with a view to the adoption of a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing, under the Integrated Border Management Fund, the Instrument for Financial Support for Customs Control Equipment.
Under the Integrated Border Management Fund, the proposed regulation establishes an instrument to provide financial support for the purchase, maintenance and upgrading of customs control equipment for the period corresponding to that of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2027.
Objectives of the Instrument
The objective of the instrument is to support the Customs Union and the customs authorities in order to protect the financial and economic interests of the Union and its Member States, to ensure security and safety within the Union and to protect the Union from unfair and illegal trade while facilitating legitimate economic activities.
The specific objective of the instrument is to contribute to adequate and equivalent levels of customs control performance through the transparent purchase, maintenance and upgrading of relevant, modern and reliable customs control equipment, which should also be secure, safe and environmentally friendly.
The customs control equipment financed under the instrument should be used primarily for customs control purposes, but may also be used for other purposes, including the control of persons in support of national border management authorities and for investigations. Such customs control equipment will not be systematically shared between customs and other border authorities.
The Commission should encourage joint procurement and testing of customs control equipment by several Member States.
Budget
The financial envelope for the implementation of the Instrument for the period 2021-2027 is set at EUR 1 006 407 000 in current prices. The instrument may finance up to 80% of the total eligible costs of an action.
Implementation and monitoring
The Regulation lays down the forms of Union funding and the rules for granting such funding.
The instrument should be implemented through work programmes adopted by means of implementing acts.
Monitoring and regular reporting will be based on quantitative and qualitative indicators measuring the effects of the actions carried out under the Instrument. The reporting obligations include an obligation to provide the Commission with information on customs control equipment where the cost of customs control equipment exceeds EUR 10 000 exclusive of taxes.
An interim evaluation of the instrument should be carried out by the Commission at the latest four years after the start of its implementation. The Commission should communicate the conclusions of the evaluations, together with its observations and lessons learned, to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.