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This position paper presents views of CONFIAD on the Wise Persons Group’s report which contains 10 recommendations on the development of EU customs.

RECOMMENDATION 1
The European Commission by the end of 2022 tables a package of reforms, including of the Union Customs Code, implementing the recommendations contained in this report, relating to processes, responsibilities and liabilities, and governance of the European Customs Union.

RECOMMENDATION 2
Introduce a new approach to data, focused on obtaining better quality data based on commercial sources, ensuring it is cross-validated along the chain, better shared among administrations, and better used for EU risk management. Clarify which private actors – including e-commerce platforms – must provide data, with costs for non-compliance. Provide businesses with a single data entry point for customs formalities and a single window/portal. Data to be stored and properly managed in a central data warehouse. The existing budget for 2021-2027 could be refocused for these goals.

RECOMMENDATION 3
Setting up of a comprehensive framework for cooperation, including data sharing between European Customs, with Market Surveillance Authorities, other Law Enforcement bodies and tax authorities for a comprehensive management of risks at EU level.

RECOMMENDATION 4
A European Customs Agency should be set up to provide EU value-added services to the Commission and the Member States. Its governance should respect the existing allocation of competences.

RECOMMENDATION 5
Introduce a System-Based Approach centered on a reformed Authorised Economic Operator scheme expanded in scope, multi-layered and more effective, to better facilitate trade with trust.

RECOMMENDATION 6
Introduce a new ABC model (Authorised, Bonded or subject to greater Control), in which operators would seek Authorised Economic Operators status to gain commercial access to the EU market. Failing this, a bond provided to an AEO, against which the EU authorities may levy a significant charge for misdeclaration or rule breaches, may allow access to the market. Small non-commercial consignments would continue to be sent through the usual processes, but without priority and subject to a level of controls that reflects their “non-trusted” status.

RECOMMENDATION 7
Remove the customs duty exemption threshold of EUR 150 for e-commerce and provide some simplification for the application of Customs duties rates for low value shipments.

RECOMMENDATION 8
To implement a package of measures to green EU Customs

RECOMMENDATION 9
Properly resource, skill and equip Customs to ensure their capacity to fulfil their missions.

RECOMMENDATION 10
Introduce an annual Customs Revenue Gap Report based on an agreed methodology and data framework to better manage Customs revenue collection.