2018/2109(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)

Ad. whereas smuggling and other forms of illegal and illicit trade in goods have a negative impact on the functioning of the single market and make the playing field uneven for competing businesses – to the detriment, in particular, of small and medium-sized enterprises;

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas EU imports and exports totalled EUR 3 700 billion in 2017 and customs duties collected make up 15 % of the EU budget, and whereas an important step must be taken towards strengthening the sovereignty of EU Member States by paying over any customs revenue to the Member States concerned;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas implementation of the Union Customs Code (UCC) ~~is essential to safeguard EU own resources, in particular customs duties, and national fiscal interests, but also~~must under no circumstances mean that customs duties accrue directly to the EU as own resources, thus circumventing the Member States; whereas, rather, since they are levied there, they should be used to boost the national budgets of Member States, in particular given that Member States already pay over part of their budgets to the EU and must not be additionally penalised by having customs revenue taken away, but implementation also serves to safeguard European consumers;

Amendment 13 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Lucy ANDERSON

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas implementation of the Union Customs Code (UCC) is essential to safeguard EU own resources, in particular customs duties, and national fiscal interests, but also to safeguard European consumers and fair competition and on the internal market;

Amendment 14 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the necessary balance that customs authorities must strike between the facilitation of legitimate trade and their customs controls designed to protect the security of the Union and its citizens as well as its financial and commercial interests, and emphasising in this respect the key role played by the status of authorised economic operator

Amendment 15 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the UCC stipulates that the electronic systems needed for its application must be deployed by 31 December 2020, and digitisation of customs procedures was ~~propos~~initiated as long ago as 2003 and enacted in 2008 with the adoption of Regulation (EC) No 450/2008 establishing the Community Customs Code (modernised customs code) and the adoption of the e-Customs Decision No 70/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January2008 on a paperless environment for customs and trade;

Amendment 16 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas the digitalisation of customs is a work in progress, more than 98% of the customs declarations are today electronic and the following areas of customs are now handled through electronic systems: transit(NCTS), export control (ECS); security data (ICS), risk management (CRMS),Economic Operators Registration and Identification Number (EORI),authorisations (CDS), Authorised Economic Operators (AEO), Binding Tariff Information (EBTI), quota and tariff (QUOTA), autonomous tariff suspensions, the combined nomenclature (TARIC), surveillance of import and export (SURV2)and Registered Exporter System for certificates of origin (REX);

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas the objective of the customs programme proposed under the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 is to support the activities of, and cooperation between, the Member States’ customs authorities;

Amendment 18 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

Db. whereas the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU poses a challenge to the proper functioning of the customs union;

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas implementation of key electronic systems necessary for the full implementation of the UCC will be delayed and deferred until after 31 December 2020;

Amendment 2 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)

– having regard to the resolution of the European Parliament of 1 January 2017 on tackling the challenges of the Union Customs Code implementation (2016/3024 (RSP))

Amendment 20 #

Jiří POSPÍŠIL

Motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas ~~implement~~full application of the UCC will be delayed and deferred until after 31 December 2020;

Amendment 21 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI, Lucy ANDERSON

Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)

Ea. whereas particular attention should be paid to the standardisation of customs information and processes;

Amendment 22 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)

Eb. whereas the governance of the Customs 2020 programme and hence of customs IT work is shared between the Commission, the Member States and representatives of commercial interests in a multitude of decision-making structures that have a lasting negative impact on its effectiveness and the management of IT projects;

Amendment 23 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)

Ec. whereas it is necessary, following the end of the on-going Customs 2020 programme and a cost-benefit assessment of the various possible options, to overhaul the governance of the Customs programmes;

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Highlights the work carried out every day by Member State customs authorities and by the Commission, which endeavour to ~~facilitate trade and cut back on administrative formalities, to collect receipts for national budgets and the EU budget, and to protect populations against~~slash administrative formalities, with the aim of making procedures transparent and standardised in order to dismantle needless trade barriers resulting from non-standard customs rules, generate an appropriate volume of receipts that should accrue solely to Member States’ national budgets and provide populations with extensive protection against threats of any kind, in particular terrorist, health-related, and environmental ~~and other~~ threats;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Highlights the work carried out every day by Member State customs authorities and by the Commission, which endeavour to shield the internal market against unfair competition in the form of counterfeit and dumped products, to facilitate trade and cut back on administrative formalities, to collect receipts for national budgets and the EU budget, and to protect populations against terrorist, health-related, environmental and other threats;

Amendment 26 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Dita CHARANZOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Points out that, if the customs union is to function properly, customs legislation must be applied in a uniform way by the Member States, in particular in areas such as undervaluation, mis- reporting of the origin of goods and their incorrect classification;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that~~, while the EU is more than just an economic area, the Customs Union~~ the Customs Union is one of the EU’s earliest achievements and can be considered one of its ~~undeniably a success in that it~~main success stories, as it has enablesd the firms established in the EU to sell their goods and invest throughout the EU, ~~with no~~but also allowed the EU to remove internal borders, and t~~hat that achievement takes on fundamental importance in the context of Brexit~~o compete with the rest of the world. Underlines that the EU’s single market, would be impossible without the tariff-free environment provided by the Customs Union and the role the latter plays in overseeing imports and exports;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that~~, while the EU is more than just an economic area, the Customs Union i~~ the Customs Union represents the way forward for successful trade both within the EU economic area and with third countries uand~~eniably a succes~~ other trading areas in that it not only enables firms established in the EU to sell their goods and invest throughout the EU, with no internal borders, ~~and that that achievement takes on fundamental importance in the context of Brexit~~which takes on particular importance in the context of Brexit, but also makes trade with other economic areas and third countries transparent and easier;

Amendment 29 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Points out that, while the EU is more than just an economic area, the Customs Union is undeniably a success in that it enables firms established in the EU to sell their goods and invest throughout the EU, with no internal borders~~, and that that achievement takes on fundamental importance in the context of Brexit~~;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)

– having regard to the Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the implementation of the Union Customs and on the exercise of the power to adopt delegated acts pursuant to Article 284 thereunder (COM(2018) 039 final)

Amendment 30 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI, Lucy ANDERSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses that a fully functional Customs Union is essential to guarantee the credibility and strength of the EU when negotiating trade agreements; Emphasises that an efficient EU Customs Union should facilitate trade and reduce administrative burdens for legitimate traders, as well as ensure effective controls, inter alia by fostering cooperation between European and third countries’ customs authorities;

Amendment 31 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Stresses that honest legal businesses should not be penalised as a result of the criminal activities of fraudulent operators; takes the view, therefore, that checks carried out by Member States’ customs authorities should not cause an undue hindrance to legitimate trade, a consideration which is important for the development of competitive businesses and of the EU as a whole;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Stresses that creating seamless customs processes across the Union based on the IT infrastructure reform is pivotal; Considers that reaping the potential of digitisation will enable the exchange of information and the payment of duties to become more transparent and accessible, in particular for third countries’ operators;

Amendment 33 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI, Lucy ANDERSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to step up their efforts to simplify customs rules and procedures in order to keep bureaucratic and financial burdens to a minimum, in particular for SMEs, while fully preserving the security of EU trade with third countries;

Amendment 34 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Notes that current divergent level and quality of controls, customs procedures and sanction policies, at EU points of entry into the Customs Union, often results in distortion of trade flows, feeding the problem of ‘forum shopping’ and putting at risk the integrity of the Single Market; in that context, strongly requests that the Commission and the Member States address this issue;

Amendment 35 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Encourages the Commission to step up its efforts to create an integrated EU customs one-stop-shop that would help businesses submit all the right information and documents in one place, so that they can meet all the regulatory requirements for the import, export and transit of goods;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)

2d. Recalls that the United Kingdom will become a third country after withdrawal from the EU, thus altering EU’s external borders and highlights that the Brexit process shouldn’t negatively impact on the development of EU Customs and its governance;

Amendment 37 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 1 – paragraph –3 a (new)

–3a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop a more efficient, cost-effective and streamlined approach to the management of IT systems for customs authorities; calls, in particular, for a more precise and realistic estimate for the time and resources that will be needed, and the scope of the individual IT projects that will help to digitise customs procedures;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Regrets deeply the request by the Commission to the Parliament and the Council for an extension to the transitional period, and regrets the fact that the Commission has provided incomplete information in support of a further extension, particularly in the light of what comes within its remit and that of Member States, as a result of which Parliament cannot exercise its budgetary and political oversight in an appropriate manner;

Amendment 39 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Regrets ~~deeply~~ the request by the Commission to Parliament and the Council for an extension to the transitional period, and regrets the fact that the Commission has provided incomplete information in support of a further extension, particularly in the light of what comes within its remit and that of Member States, as a result of which Parliament cannot exercise its budgetary and political oversight in an appropriate manner;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 10

– having regard to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/578 of 11 April 2016 establishing the Work Programme relating to the development and deployment of the electronic systems provided for in the Union Customs Code,deleted

Amendment 40 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Morten LØKKEGAARD, Filiz HYUSMENOVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Recalls that the modernisation of customs processes, based on the development of new Information Technology (IT) systems, has enabled the improved exchange of information between actors, a more effective registration of the arrival, transit and exit of goods, a centralised customs clearance and harmonised customs controls throughout the customs territory of the Union, thereby reducing administrative costs, red tape, error fraud in customs declarations and harmful port-shopping, as well as has enhanced economic activity and growth, and increased the safety and security of the EU citizens;

Amendment 41 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Dita CHARANZOVÁ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Deplores that the implementation of the new IT systems for the Customs Union suffered a series of delays, so that some of the key systems will not be available at the 2020 deadline set in the UCC. Underlines that the delays are due to several factors, in particular: changing project scope, insufficient resources allocated by the EU and Member States, and a lengthy decision-making process due to the multi-layered governance structure;

Amendment 42 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Morten LØKKEGAARD

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)

3c. Expresses its strong disappointment after taking stock of the conclusion of the report of the Court of Auditors no 26/2018 “A series of delays in Customs IT systems: what went wrong?” which states that there is a risk that the rescheduled deadlines will also not be met and that the UCC deadline could be further extended beyond 2025, and urges therefore the Commission and the Member States to do their outmost in order to avoid such a situation;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Points out that, while 75 % of the European components of the IT systems needed to implement the UCC ought to be ready in December 2020, that does not necessarily mean that 75 % of the IT systems will be ready by then, since 25 % of the IT systems is made up of national components, for which Member States are responsible and delays have been identified;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Takes the view that, even in the event of significant delays in the implementation of individual IT projects, the systems to be rolled out should be subject to comprehensive security tests so that any possible issues do not jeopardise the goods checks carried out by the Member States’ customs authorities, since a dysfunctional IT system in this field is almost worse than no system at all;

Amendment 45 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that ~~implementation of the customs code and digitisation of the customs procedures it establishes must be priorities shared by the Commission and Council~~the Commission and Council, as a matter of the utmost priority, must ensure that the customs code is implemented and customs procedures digitised within an appropriate, i.e. practicable, and precisely defined time frame; considers that, in that connection, setting up the IT architecture ~~requires~~that the development and deployment of 17 IT tools ~~with major financial implications~~require must be handled flexibly, and not rigidly, and can be done gradually on a modular basis so that further rollout delays, which are highly costly for trade, businesses and Member States, are averted as far as possible; considers it imperative, therefore, that there should be no duplication of effort as regards resources in how Member State and Commission IT projects are run;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that implementation of the customs code and digitisation of the customs procedures it establishes must be priorities shared by the Commission and Council; considers that, in that connection, setting up the IT architecture requires the development and deployment of 17 IT tools with major financial and human implications; considers it imperative, therefore, that there should be no duplication of effort as regards resources in how Member State and Commission IT projects are run;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the Commission to update the timetable for its UCC work programme to take account of the extension to the transitional period that it has proposed (COM(2018)0085) and as adopted by Parliament and the Council; ~~calls on~~is of the opinion that Parliament and the Council ~~to work to ensur~~have no choice but to agree theo promptly adopt~~ion of~~ a decision on ~~that extension while making it subject to~~a very final extension, but at the same time must create the conditions ~~needed~~ for successful ~~deployment~~implementation of the customs IT architecture, e.g. in the form of standard guidelines on simplification, harmonisation and transparency; points out, as the European Court of Auditors has done, that, as the same causes produce the same effects, the process of updating the 2017 multiannual strategic plan, by concentrating the introduction of six IT tools in the same year, ~~pose~~represents a major ~~risk that deploy~~challenge that must not result in further postponement, w~~ill again be postpon~~hich is why Parliament points out that any further extension would be regarded as an admission that the project had failed;

Amendment 48 #

Jiří POSPÍŠIL

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the Commission to update its UCC work programme to take account of the extension to the transitional period that it has proposed (COM(2018)0085) and as adopted by Parliament and the Council; calls on Parliament and the Council to work to ensure the prompt adoption of a decision on that extension while making it subject to the conditions needed for successful deployment of the customs IT architecture; points out, as the European Court of Auditors has done, that~~, as the same causes produce the same effects,~~ the process of updating the 2017 multiannual strategic plan, by concentrating the introduction of six IT tools in the same year, poses a major risk that deployment will again be postponed;

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Calls on the Commission to update its UCC work programme to take account of the extension to the transitional period that it has proposed (COM(2018)0085) and as adopted by Parliament and the Council; calls on Parliament and the Council to work to ensure the prompt adoption of a decision on that extension while making it subject to the conditions needed for successful deployment of the customs IT architecture; points out, as the European Court of Auditors has done, that, as the same causes produce the same effects, the process of updating the 2017 multiannual strategic plan, by concentrating the introduction of six IT tools in the same year, poses a major risk that deployment will again be postponed;Does not affect the English version

Amendment 5 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Customs Union, which is 50 years old this year, is a cornerstone of the EU - one of the world’s largest trading blocs - and whereas a fully operational Customs Union is essential for ~~the proper functioning of the single market~~frictionless trade both in the single market and with third countries, in the interests of both EU businesses and EU citizens, but also ~~for the credibility of the EU, putting it in a strong~~provides support for the EU’s position in negotiations on trade agreements;

Amendment 50 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Calls on the Commission to update its multiannual strategic plan by sequencing projects throughout the transition period to avoid as much as possible the concentration of deployments at the end of the period and by establishing binding milestones, including for Member States;

Amendment 51 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Morten LØKKEGAARD

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Calls on the Commission not to modify the statutory and technical specifications that have now been adopted for the 17 IT tools, – in order to prevent further rollout delays and, – since the scale of the projects to be carried out and the time needed to deploy them are not compatible either with the fact that the technologies involved are constantly evolving or with the inevitable legislative and regulatory changes that ~~will~~are expected to take place over the period concerned, – while making it possible - through gradual, modular implementation of the IT architecture - to respond on the basis of updates and upgrades to future technological advances;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Reminds that, according to the Court of Auditors, the Commission was aware of the delays but chose not to include this information in its official reporting, which prevented the stakeholders (such as the European Parliament, other EU institutions not represented in the governance structure of Customs 2020 as well as interested companies and citizens) from being fully informed of the risk of delays in real time; calls therefore on the Commission to regularly report on the progress made as regards to the setting-up of the customs electronic systems and inform about any possible future delays;

Amendment 53 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI, Lucy ANDERSON

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Calls on the Commission to report regularly and transparently on the conduct of the multiannual strategic work plan so as not to repeat the mistakes of the previous programming and to avoid asking for a further extension of the transition period at a moment’s notice;

Amendment 54 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)

7b. Invites the Commission to continuously evaluate the Customs 2020 programme and to respond to the shortcomings identified, in particular by under-utilising the teams of experts set up under this programme and making it possible to increase cooperation between customs services;

Amendment 55 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)

7c. Takes note of and welcomes the Commission’s work in developing a tool on the performance of the Customs Union which will eventually enable the performance of the Customs Union to be systematically assessed against its strategic objectives in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and uniformity;

Amendment 56 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 d (new)

7d. Suggests to the Commission that this tool should also assess the performance of customs controls in terms of digitisation potential and dataflows in order to create even more effective risk- based controls while optimising the burden on customs authorities;

Amendment 57 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Filiz HYUSMENOVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Takes note of the action being 8. taken by the Commission and Member States to ensure uniform and coherent implementation of the customs code, in particular as regards training, and through the adoption of standard guidelines; calls nonetheless on the Commission and Member States to step up their efforts and expand the resources deployed to ensure full application of the customs code adopted in 2013 and of uniform customs procedures throughout the EU; calls on the Commission, in that connection, to submit an action plan that might usefully ~~be based on~~involve a peer review of customs practices, ~~on the~~ exchange of good practices, on stepped-up cooperation between customs services and ~~on a sufficiently resourced training programme~~a soundly based training programme for the staff concerned;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Underlines that continuous policy monitoring, analysis and assessment of possible impacts are essential parts of governance of the Customs Union, reminds in that respect that The Customs Union Performance tool operates by assessing the functioning of the Customs Union, on the basis of Key Performance Indicators in a range of areas such as protection of financial interests, ensuring the safety and security of EU citizens and assessing the importance of customs in contributing to the growth and competiveness of the EU, calls on the Member States to support the work in order to develop further this tool;

Amendment 59 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Invites the Commission to pursue reflection together with the European Parliament and the Council on the creation of a one-stop shop bringing together in one place customs and tax procedures linked to international trade, insists on the necessary caution to be adopted on the subject, which must not interfere with the priority of implementing digitised customs procedures foreseen in the UCC at the end of the transitional period;

Amendment 6 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Morten LØKKEGAARD

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the Customs Union, which is 50 years old this year, is a cornerstone of the EU - one of the world’s largest trading blocs - and whereas a fully operational Customs Union is essential for the proper functioning of the single market, in the interests of both EU businesses and EU citizens, but also for the credibility of the EU, putting it in a strong position in negotiations on trade agreements with third countries;

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8b. Recalls that the Commission is developing work on an EU Customs Single Window environment that would permit an economic operator to submit data required for a wide range of regulatory purposes (e.g. veterinary, sanitary, environmental, etc.) in a standardised format to multiple recipients and via harmonised access points; calls on the Commission and the Member States to continue this important work;

Amendment 61 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC, Dita CHARANZOVÁ, Filiz HYUSMENOVA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 c (new)

8c. Believes that the cooperation between operational services on the ground, including between tax and customs administrations, could enable scarce resources to be used more efficiently;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Takes note of the funding effort made under the EU budget, increasing the allocation for the next Customs programme, for 2021-2027, to EUR 950 million; calls ~~for Member States~~on the Commission also to provide the necessary resources for deployment of the national components, on which the introduction of the European electronic customs system is dependent, a~~nd calls for timely submission to it, by the Commission, of a report on deployment of the EU components and of the non-EU components developed by Member State~~ttaches importance to ensuring that, when the new system is introduced, all revenue generated from customs duties is paid over exclusively to the Member States concerned, and calls on the Commission to submit a report to Parliament on deployment of the EU components and of the non-EU components developed by Member States, i.e. a state-of-play report as at #date = 61 calendar days after adoption of this resolution# and again no later than one year after the rollout of all systems;

Amendment 63 #

Virginie ROZIÈRE, Marc TARABELLA, Sergio GUTIÉRREZ PRIETO, Nicola DANTI

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Takes note of the funding effort made under the EU budget, increasing the allocation for the next Customs programme, for 2021-2027, to EUR ~~950 million~~842 844 000 at 2018 prices; calls for Member States also to provide the necessary human and financial resources for deployment of the national components, on which the introduction of the European electronic customs system is dependent, and calls for timely submission to it, by the Commission, of a report on deployment of the EU components and of the non-EU components developed by Member States;

Amendment 64 #

Jasenko SELIMOVIC

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Highlights that customs nowadays have to deal with a phenomenal increase in the volume of goods being bought online outside the EU in terms of controls and collection of the applicable duties, in particular as the volume of low value goods imported into the EU is growing each year by 10-15%; calls on the Commission and the Member States to step up their efforts in order to better tackle this challenge;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Invites the Commission to propose, at the end and only at the end of the implementation of the 17 UCC-related IT systems of the Customs 2020 programme, a more effective governance structure for the conduct of customs IT projects and their updates, stresses the importance, in view of the economic, fiscal and security challenges represented by the customs IT system, that the solution adopted fully preserves European sovereignty;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Stresses that the ‘Customs 2021- 2027’ programme, by supporting Member States’ customs authorities, will help not only to increase EU budget revenues, but also to guarantee product safety, the protection of European consumers and a level playing field for EU businesses;

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Subheading 2 a (new)

UK withdrawal from the European Union

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU does not have an adverse effect on the functioning of the customs union, in particular by thoroughly preparing the legal, technical and IT measures to be taken in the event of the UK’s departure from the customs union;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9c. Stresses that the uncertainty surrounding the UK’s departure from the EU is a major challenge for European businesses; calls, therefore, on the Commission and the Member States to give stakeholders comprehensive information about the repercussions of the UK’s in the area of customs and certain kinds of indirect taxes – VAT and excise duties;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the Member States’ customs authorities apply more than 60 legal acts outside the customs area, which relate, inter alia, to consumer protection, product safety, the protection of public health, the protection of the environment, intellectual property rights and cash movements;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)

9d. Stresses that, following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom, there must be no loopholes in the customs system – including at the external borders of the EU – that would pave the way for illicit trade or the evasion of public-law debts provided for under EU law;

Amendment 8 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the customs union must function properly if consumer trust in goods entering the single market is to be maintained;

Amendment 9 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas overly complex customs rules and procedures and differences in the way they are applied by the Member States’ customs authorities can, in many cases, create an excessive burden for business entities, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises;

source: 627.794

2018/12/10 INTA 20 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Strongly welcomes the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) by the EU and recalls the importance of its full implementation by all WTO signatories in order to simplify and modernise export and import processes worldwide; encourages the Commission to share its best practices in the WTO TFA Committee in order to promote the coordinated implementation of modern procedures with EU trading partners; calls on the Commission to continue working closely with the OECD and the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in reducing existing gaps in customs control systems;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. NDraws attention to the relevance of the EU Customs Union as one of the most important sources of the Union’s financial capacity; notes that the current divergent levels of controls and their quality, and of customs procedures and sanctions policies at points of entry into the customs union, often result in the distortion of international trade flows, feeding the problem of ‘forum shopping’ and putting at risk the integrity of the single market; strongly encourages, in this context and in light of Article 23 of the TFA, the transfer of responsibilities from national customs authorities to EU level;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the current divergent levels of controls and their quality, and of customs procedures ~~and sanctions policies~~ at points of entry into the customs union, often result in the distortion of trade flows, feeding the problem of ‘forum shopping’ and putting at risk the integrity of the single market; ~~strongly encourages, in this context, the transfer of responsibilities from national customs authorities to EU level;~~ notes that due to the diverging customs turnover at national level, Member States prioritise the implementation of the UCC differently; strongly calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure a coordinated, uniform and efficient implementation of the new system set by the UCC without further delay;

Amendment 12 #

Dita CHARANZOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the current divergent levels of controls and their quality, and of customs procedures and sanctions policies at points of entry into the customs union, often result in the distortion of trade flows, feeding the problem of ‘forum shopping’ and putting at risk the integrity of the single market; ~~strongly encourages, in this context, the transfer of responsibilities from national customs authorities to EU level~~calls for the fully harmonised implementation of the Union Customs Code, in a manner that ensures that all goods entering the EU will be treated and processed the same, no matter their port of entry;

Amendment 13 #

Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the current divergent levels of controls and their quality, and of customs procedures and sanctions policies at points of entry into the customs union, often result in the distortion of trade flows, feeding the problem of ‘forum shopping’ and putting at risk the integrity of the single market; strongly encourages, in this context, ~~the transfer of responsibilities from national customs authorities to EU level~~further cooperation, coordination and exchange of information and best practices among Member States, respecting the Subsidiarity Principle;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Notes that the current divergent levels of controls and their quality~~, and of customs procedures and sanctions policies~~ at points of entry into the customs union, often result in the distortion of trade flows, feeding the problem of ‘forum shopping’ and putting at risk the integrity of the single market; strongly encourages, in this context, the transfer of responsibilities from national customs authorities to EU level;

Amendment 15 #

Tokia SAÏFI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recalls that efficient and harmonised customs controls on goods entering the EU make it possible to enhance consumer safety and tackle counterfeiting and unfair competition; encourages the Commission to set targets and develop performance indicators for customs authorities;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Considers that within the EaP policy the EU associated countries that have made substantial progress in implementing AA/DCFTA-related reforms could eventually join the Customs Union which would facilitate trade between EaP associated countries and the EU, reduce administrative costs and foster economic growth;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Feels that better coordination is needed between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), customs authorities and market surveillance authorities, in order not only to combat counterfeiting, but also to curb the trade in illegal products that infringe intellectual property laws in the EU;

Amendment 18 #

Joachim STARBATTY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Recalls the fact that the United Kingdom will become a third country after withdrawal from the EU, thus altering the EU’s external borders; stresses that the Brexit process should not negatively impact on the development or governance of EU customs.deleted

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Reminds that the UK will continue to participate in the EU Customs Union during the transition period; recalls the fact that the United Kingdom will become a third country after withdrawal from the EU, thus altering the EU’s external borders; stresses that the Brexit process should not negatively impact on the development or governance of EU customs. and that the changes to the customs systems at the EU external borders shall not be deducted from the funds allocated to the development of IT infrastructures;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Strongly welcomes the ratification of the Trade Facilitation Agreement by the EU ~~and~~, which is the first multilateral agreement since the establishment of the WTO in 1995; recalls the importance of its full implementation by all WTO signatories in order to simplify and modernise export and import processes worldwide, to promote transparency and boost trade flows globally; calls on the Commission to continue working closely with the Member States, OECD and the WCO in reducing existing gaps in customs control systems;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Draws attention to the fact that globalisation is increasingly connecting economic operators across different countries and enhancing the complexity of value chains; Stresses that a fully functional customs union is essential in order to guarantee the credibility and strength of the EU when negotiating trade agreements; emphasises, in that context, that an efficient EU customs union should facilitate trade and reduce administrative burdens for legitimate traders as well as ensuring effective controls, to guarantee that products that enter our market are fully compliant with the rules and meet our standards, inter alia by fostering cooperation between the customs authorities of Member States and third countries;

Amendment 4 #

Tokia SAÏFI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that a fully functional customs union is essential in order to guarantee the credibility and strength of the EU when negotiating trade agreements; emphasises that an efficient EU customs union should facilitate trade and reduce administrative burdens for legitimate traders as well as ensuring effective controls, inter alia by fostering cooperation between the customs authorities of Member States and third countries; calls on the Commission to improve and step up cooperation among its directorates- general on customs matters, given the wide range of areas which have a bearing on customs;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that a fully functional customs union is essential in order to guarantee the credibility and strength of the EU when negotiating trade agreements; emphasises that an efficient EU customs union should facilitate trade and reduce administrative burdens for legitimate traders, in particular SMEs as well as ensuring effective controls, inter alia by fostering cooperation between the customs authorities of Member States and third countries;

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that creating seamless customs processes across the Union through the reform of IT infrastructure is pivotal; strongly urges the Commission to implement without further delay the IT systems needed for the IT customs infrastructure; considers that digitalisation has to the potential to make the exchange of information and the payment of duties more transparent and accessible, in particular for operators in third countries; recalls that the development of the required IT systems needs sufficient financing and calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure the availability of resources for the necessary IT systems;

Amendment 7 #

Dita CHARANZOVÁ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Stresses that creating seamless customs processes across the Union through the reform of IT infrastructure is pivotal; considers that digitalisation is key to the modernisation of customs processes and has to the potential to make the exchange of information and the payment of duties more transparent and accessible, in particular for operators in third countries; Calls for the swift implementation by all parties for the new IT systems for the Customs Union before the new extended deadline of 2025; Underlines that the European Parliament will not extend the deadline further;

Amendment 8 #