Community customs code: treatments, controls and risk-related informations (amend. Regulation (EC) No 2913/92)

PURPOSE : to simplify administration and strengthen security at its external borders. CONTENT : the purpose of the proposal for a Regulation amending the Community Customs Code is to bring together the basic concepts underlying the new security-management concept for the EU's external borders, such as a harmonised system for risk assessment. The Commission is therefore proposing a number of measures to tighten security around goods crossing international borders. The measures will be good for customs authorities, good for the public and good for traders because they will mean faster and better targeted checks. The proposed measures would: - require traders to provide customs authorities with information on goods before they are imported into or exported from the European Union. This information would take the form of an electronic summary declaration. It would be used as a basis for selecting goods for checks even before they arrive at the border, thus enabling them to cross it more quickly when they do arrive; - provide reliable traders with special, user-friendly options; - introduce a mechanism for the setting of risk-selection criteria that will apply throughout the Community; - introduce a computerised support system to help with implementation of risk management. This proposal is accompanied by two communications on the role of customs in the integrated management of external borders and on a simple and paperless environment for customs and trade. The first communication proposes that security checks be improved and reinforced. This would involve: - rationalising the work involved in checks at external borders by focusing on priority checks (such as checks to determine whether goods can be let in or not) at border posts; - establishing a common approach to risk management at external borders: for this, all public bodies responsible for the various aspects of the safety of traded goods (e.g. customs, veterinary-health services, environmental bodies and the police) will be called on to help establish criteria, and customs authorities in all Member States will need to apply the common approach homogeneously; - inducing traders and customs authorities to routinely send and process information electronically; - promoting cooperation and rapid exchange of information between all services responsible for the security of traded goods crossing the EU's external borders; - ensuring that all crossing points on the EU's external borders have the necessary equipment. The second communication proposes to simplify and rationalise customs legislation to take into account changes in business trends and to tackle fraud. Emphasis is given in particular to promoting modern techniques and a greater spread of information to help customs and economic operators apply the legislation in a consistent manner. FINANCIAL STATEMENT : - budget line : B 5307; - period of 12 months : EUR 300 000; current financial year : EUR 1 470 000; following financial year : EUR 2 040 000; - financial implications are linked to the setting up of an automated system for risk management.�