Customs 2013 (2008-2013)

The customs administrations of European Union (EU) Member States play an important role in protecting the interests of the European Community (EC). They also ensure an equal level of protection throughout EC territory for citizens and economic operators within the Community. This Decision establishes the Community action programme Customs 2013 (2008-2013). The programme aims to support the development of a pan-European electronic customs environment which ensures that customs activities match the needs of the internal market, guarantees the protection of the financial interests of the EC and increases safety and security.

ACT

Decision No 624/2007/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 May 2007 establishing an action programme for customs in the Community (Customs 2013).

SUMMARY

The aim of the Customs 2013 programme is to help customs administrations in participating countries to facilitate legitimate trade and to simplify and speed up customs procedures. The programme will start on 1 January 2008 and end on 31 December 2013.

Objectives

The main objectives of the Customs 2013 programme are:

supporting the development of a pan-European electronic customs environment which ensures that customs activities match the needs of the internal market, guarantees the protection of the EC's financial interests and increases safety and security;

contributing to the creation of a modernised customs code;

increasing cooperation between customs administrations so that they carry out their tasks as effectively as if they were a single administration;

increasing international customs cooperation between EU customs administrations and third countries customs authorities in the field of supply chain security;

preparing for enlargement, including the sharing of experience and knowledge with the customs administrations of the countries concerned;

developing cooperation and exchange of information and best practices with the customs administrations of third countries, in particular candidate countries, potential candidate countries and partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy;

standardising and simplifying customs systems and controls to reduce the administrative burden and the cost of compliance for economic operators;

identifying, developing and applying best working practices.

Action

Customs 2013 will include activities in the field of communications systems and exchange of information, comparative analyses, seminars and workshops, project groups and steering groups, working visits, training activities and monitoring activities.

Participation in the Programme

The countries participating in the Customs 2013 programme are the EU Member States. The programme is also open to candidate countries benefiting from a pre-accession strategy, potential candidate countries (after the conclusion of framework agreements concerning their participation in Community programmes) and certain partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy (provided that a sufficient level of proximity has been attained and in compliance with relevant framework agreements).

Budgetary implications

The Customs 2013 programme will run for a period of six years, in accordance with the Financial Perspectives 2007-13. The amount to be borne by the Community budget is EUR 328.8 million.

BACKGROUND

Customs 2013 continues the activities carried out in the framework of the previous customs programmes, in particular Customs 2007, and supports the increasingly important development of e-customs.