2011/2083(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Stresses that efficient prevention of irregularities and fraud in the area of customs, through proper controls, not only secures the protection of the Union’s financial interests, but has also important consequences for the Internal Market, eliminating the unfair advantage of those economic operators who underpay duties or understate the values declared to customs over those economic operators who do not; emphasises that it is very important to direct the same level of attention to the entire trade chain and not to focus solely on the procedures for checking imports, exports and goods in transit;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Recalls that the Commission’s objective is to make national customs administrations act as if they were one, ensuring controls with equivalent results at every point of the Union customs territory1; points out that this cannot be achieved without interoperable 1 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), OJ L 154, 14.6.2007, p. 25.. communication and information exchange systems at the level of Member States and the Commission; deplores the very slow progress in this respectcommunication and information exchange systems at the level of Member States and the Commission; deplores the very slow progress in this respect; points out that the controls must be based on mutually agreed standards and reliable risk- evaluation criteria with regard to the selection of goods and economic operators;

Amendment 3 #

Zigmantas BALČYTIS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls for closer cooperation, and the active exchange of information and proven procedures, with the customs authorities of the EU’s neighbour countries with regard to the modernisation of customs and efforts to combat smuggling as well as corruption in the customs system;

Amendment 4 #

Monika HOHLMEIER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Points out that, in a number of Member States, small and medium-sized companies in particular use the option that is available under the Customs Code of ‘oral’ customs declarations for the import and export of consignments under the value of EUR 1000; stresses that abolishing this simplified procedure would considerably increase the administrative and financial burden on SMEs in particular, and would therefore be at odds with the Union’s aim of reducing red tape; insists that the option of ‘oral’ customs declarations should be retained in the implementing rules for the modernised Customs Code;

source: PE-472.012

2011/09/26 INTA 27 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates that customs are of vital importance to international trade and to the competitiveness of the European Union as they a play a unique role in combating the illegal entry of goods and counterfeiting and in protecting intellectual property rights;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Believes there is a need for modernisation measures such as simpler customs legislation and interoperable computerised customs systems which will help facilitate commercial practices; expresses the wish for the work in progress on updating the Customs Code to stress the central role of eliminating customs declarations in order to facilitate trade;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2 a. Welcomes the simplified customs control system that was introduced in 2009 and recognises its importance in facilitating international trade; notes with concern that the Court of Auditors has revealed an insufficient control and audit of these simplified procedures in Member States; therefore emphasises the importance of suitable implementation of this control system and encourages the Commission to closely follow this process in order to avoid losses to the EU budget as well as breaches of trade policy provisions;

Amendment 12 #

Juozas IMBRASAS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

Amendment 13 #

Marielle DE SARNEZ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Reiterates the importance of strengthening international cooperation within the World Customs Organisation and bilaterally in order to create more efficient customs procedures and to be better able to meet the challenges in respect of consumer safety and intellectual property rights;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Identifies the need, for a functional European Union of 27 Member States, to reduce differences in the frequency and nature of physical checks on goods and between the different points of entry (ports, airports, roads), in how VAT is collected on imported goods, in the opening hours of customs services, and in fees and penalties, as these differences ~~can~~are resulting in trade distortions;

Amendment 15 #

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Identifies the need~~, for~~ in a functional European Union of 27 Member States, to ~~reduce differences in the frequency and nature of~~define a common set of mandatory physical checks on goods a~~nd between~~pplicable to all the different points of entry (ports, airports, roads)~~, in how VAT is collected~~ to the Union's Single market; calls also for increased cooperation and exchange of best practices with respect to the collection of VAT on imported goods, in the opening hours of customs services, and in fees and penalties~~, as these~~ for non compliance with the Union's custom code, as existing differences can result in trade distortions;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses the need for consistency in the management of the EU’s external borders; reiterates its call on the Commission and the Member States to step up harmonisation of customs control systems ~~in order to ensure~~and calls for progress on setting up a European Customs Agency able to promote monitoring of the uniform enforcement of EU rules and ~~respect~~ensure better protection for consumers;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses the need for consistency in the management of the EU’s external borders; reiterates its call on the Commission and the Member States to step up harmonisation of customs control systems and regularly assess customs procedure control results in the Member States in order to ensure the uniform enforcement of EU rules and respect for consumers; believes that training for tradespeople should be increased in order to help them better understand their duties and responsibilities;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5a (new)

5a. Calls upon the Commission to include in the new customs code more rigorous requirements for the provision of the European Union’s customs representation services, helping to increase the level of professionalism and ownership on the part of these intermediaries and laying down clear rules to guide relations between customs agents and forwarding undertakings, so as to change the role of the agents to that of consolidators for small and medium-sized importers that do not have the capacity to implement customs compliance programmes similar to the European AEO;

Amendment 2 #

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates that customs are of vital importance to international trade; andppreciates, in this regard, the regulatory role of the WTO agreement on customs valuation that aims for a fair, uniform and neutral system for the valuation of goods for customs purposes, outlawing the use of arbitrary or fictitious customs values that can constitute a barrier to open and fair trade; and stresses also that well functioning customs are essential to the competitiveness of the European Union as they a play a unique role in combating the illegal entry of goods and counterfeit~~ing~~ed products in the Union's Single market;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the activation of the cooperation agreement on the mutual recognition of AEO between the European Union and Japan; encourages the Commission to be fully attentive to the role of Parliament when negotiating similar agreements with other major partners, such as the USA, Canada, China and Russia; emphasises the value of stepping up customs cooperation with Russia and the Eastern Partnership and Mediterranean Partnership countries in order to facilitate trade and combat fraud.

Amendment 21 #

Jan ZAHRADIL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Welcomes the activation of the cooperation agreement on the mutual recognition of AEO between the European Union and Japan; encourages the Commission to be fully attentive to the role of Parliament when negotiating similar agreements with other major partners, such as the USA, Canada, China and Russia, and to include this element in the negotiations on bilateral trade agreements; emphasises the value of stepping up customs cooperation with Russia and the Eastern Partnership and Mediterranean Partnership countries in order to facilitate trade and combat fraud.

Amendment 23 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6a (new)

6a. Encourages the Commission to develop multilateral cooperation and coordination plans, within the World Customs Organisation (WCO), to lay down joint standards and rules that will improve the security and effectiveness of customs and border procedures, and reduce costs.

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Believes that an agreement on facilitating customs as part of the Doha Round would benefit the member states of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), notably by strengthening legal certainty and reducing commercial costs; thus encourages the Commission for its part to push forward the conclusion of this agreement with a view to the ministerial conference next December.

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Believes there is a need to step up international customs cooperation in multilateral bodies (the WTO and the World Customs Organisation), including through sharing standards and good practice, with the chief aim being to protect consumers;

Amendment 26 #

Silvana KOCH-MEHRIN, Jürgen CREUTZMANN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)

6 b. Stresses the importance of ensuring that legitimate customs checks carried out by third countries are not, in certain circumstances, misused to create new, de facto non-tariff barriers to goods originating from the EU;

Amendment 27 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6a (new)

6a (new). Calls on the Commission to maintain Article 24 of the Community Customs Code, so that the origin of goods continues to be determined according to the place where their last substantial economically justified processing occurred; stresses that changes to the status quo would burden businesses with avoidable administrative procedures and undermine ongoing harmonisation efforts at WTO level

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Reiterat~~Acknowledges that customs are of vital importance to international trade and to the competitiveness of the European Union as they a play a unique role in combating the illegal entry of goods and counterfeiting;

Amendment 4 #

Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Daniel CASPARY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates that customs are of vital importance to international trade and to the competitiveness of the European Union as they a play a unique role in combating the i~~llegal entry~~mport, export and illegal transit of goods and counterfeiting;

Amendment 5 #

Elisabeth KÖSTINGER

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1 a. Calls on the European Commission at the same time to define the non- preferential origin of goods and furthermore according to the principle of their ‘their last, substantial, economically justified processing or working’ (Article 24 CC); at the same time calls for export certificates on non-preferential origin of the relevant authorities of a third country also to be recognised in future and for the system not to be changed in any way here; reiterates in particular that such a far- reaching decision should not be made using implementing rules and that in fact the legislator alone should decide on such a change to the system;

Amendment 7 #

Godelieve QUISTHOUDT-ROWOHL, Daniel CASPARY

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Believes there is a need for modernisation measures such as simpler customs legislation and interoperable computerised customs systems which will help facilitate commercial practices, as well as greater coordination of prevention and prosecution activities by the tax police at European level;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 9 #

Silvana KOCH-MEHRIN, Jürgen CREUTZMANN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Believes there is a need for modernisation measures such as simpler customs legislation and interoperable computerised customs systems which will help facilitate commercial practices; recalls that an oral customs declaration for goods of less than 1,000 Euro, which is currently in place, constitutes an essential simplification of trade operations for many SMEs and should be maintained;

source: PE-472.354

2011/10/18 IMCO 110 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)

- having regard to Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out the requirements for accreditation and market surveillance relating to the marketing of products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/935, __________________ 5 OJ L 218, 13.08.2008, p. 30.

Amendment 10 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas a smooth, simple and well- functioning customs system is of essence to facilitate mobility of goods and trade on the internal market, especially for SMEs;

Amendment 100 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

28. Considers that customs clearance has to be streamlined by involving all the relevant authorities as early in the process as possible; therefore strongly supports coordinated border management and the single window principle; stresses that the single window principle represents an organisational, procedural and technical solution, which must be implemented effectively in order to enable businesses and citizens to submit standardised information and documents relating to the declaration of goods and compliance with import and export formalities to all services in one go at a single place, as well as to obtain the necessary information to ship the goods and cooperate with all of the authorities;

Amendment 101 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)

29a. Is of the opinion that skills, knowledge and experience of the customs professionals should be in constant development and improvement as these are prerequisite for high quality customs procedures; supports the Member States and the Commission in their work in promoting regular training of customs officials;

Amendment 102 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)

29b. Emphasises that research is of particular importance when considering legislative initiatives; welcomes and strongly supports the work carried out by universities and research centres across the EU contributing to academic development of customs officials; encourages the Member States to ensure that relevant academic programmes are available to promote the excellence of the customs profession;

Amendment 103 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to explore possibilities of establishing a European Customs Agency, exclusively dealing with customs issues, in order to improve the functioning of the Customs Union; calls on the Commission to address this issue when considering the follow-up to the Customs 2013 programme;deleted

Amendment 104 #

Malcolm HARBOUR, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT, Eija-Riitta KORHOLA

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

Amendment 105 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

Amendment 106 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to explore possibilities of ~~establishing a European Customs Agency, exclusively dealing with customs issues,~~further increasing customs cooperation and harmonisation in order to improve the functioning of the Customs Union; calls on the Commission to ~~address~~consider this issue ~~when consider~~ing the follow-up to the Customs 2013 programme;

Amendment 107 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to explore possibilities of ~~establishing a European Customs Agency, exclusively dealing with customs issues~~better collaboration with authorities that could be implicated in customs issues, such as FRONTEX, in order to improve the functioning of the Customs Union; calls on the Commission to address this issue when considering the follow-up to the Customs 2013 programme;

Amendment 108 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30

30. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to explore possibilities of establishing a European Customs Agency, exclusively dealing with customs issues and central coordination, in order to improve the functioning of the Customs Union; calls on the Commission to address this issue when considering the follow-up to the Customs 2013 programme;

Amendment 109 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)

30a. Believes that the follow-up to the Customs 2013 programme should in particular support a uniform implementation of the EU customs legislation as well as support a balanced approach to contributing to European competitiveness while at the same time guaranteeing safety and security.

Amendment 11 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)

-1. Considers that the Community Customs Code which was adopted in 2008 was highly ambitious in terms of deadlines and takes the view that the new proposal must truly aim at enhancing the current situation bringing clear added value for EU operators and SMEs in particular;

Amendment 110 #

Olle SCHMIDT, Silvana KOCH-MEHRIN, Jürgen CREUTZMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)

30b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to improve the organisation of customs procedures at the European Union's external borders, to create better conditions for legal business activity, international trade and swift movement of persons and goods, to overhaul the infrastructure at customs offices at the EU's external borders taking account of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1875/2006, to furnish customs offices with modern monitoring equipment and to ensure that these tools are used effectively when carrying out customs checks;

Amendment 12 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is convinced that modernisation of customs should be a high political priority, as ~~customs is~~well-functioning, efficient and simplified customs procedures are essential in contributing to economic competitiveness, reliable trade relations with third countries, as well as safety and security in the EU;

Amendment 13 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is convinced that the modernisation of ~~custom~~the European Union's customs strategy and customs instruments should be a high political priority, as customs is essential in contributing to economic competitiveness as well as to safety and security in the EU;

Amendment 14 #

Malcolm HARBOUR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Is convinced that modernisation of customs should be a high political priority~~, as~~ with a budget to match this ambition, as a future proof policy on customs is essential in contributing to global EU economic competitiveness ~~as well as safety and security~~; stresses the fact that a well functioning customs policy plays a key role in combating the illegal entry of goods and counterfeit products into the EUSingle Market and therefore enhances safety and security for European consumers;

Amendment 15 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls for the fight against breaches of customs regulations and against threats posed by smuggling, organised crime, corruption, terrorism and other criminal acts to be intensified, paying particular attention to implementing the recommendations of the World Customs Organization on risk management, the protection and security of legal trade, development partnerships with business in the area of customs automation, on the fight against corruption, the introduction of the single window principle and the exchange of information and knowledge between customs services;

Amendment 16 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Believes that the mission and image of customs should be redefined and given additional stimulus to reflect customs realities; c~~Considers that allocation of appropriate financial resources ~~for customs-related procedures and processe~~in line with the budgetary frameworks is essential infor achieving th~~is aim; calls on the Commission to revamp its strategy~~e much needed modernisation onf customs;

Amendment 17 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that the mission and image of customs should be redefined and given additional stimulus to reflect customs realities; considers that allocation of appropriate financial resources for customs-related procedures and processes, including the development of computer systems, is essential in achieving this aim; calls on the Commission to revamp its strategy on customs;

Amendment 18 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

Amendment 19 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that the mission and image of customs should be ~~redefined and given additional stimulus to reflect customs realitie~~adapted to the Modernised Customs Code requirements in order to be given additional stimulus and be able to reach the full potential of its effectiveness; considers that allocation of appropriate financial resources for customs-related procedures and processes, in particular the development of electronic systems, is essential in achieving this aim; calls on the Commission to revamp its strategy on customs;

Amendment 2 #

Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)

- having regard to the Report from the Commission entitled 'Midterm evaluation of the Customs 2013 programme' (COM(2011)0537 final),

Amendment 20 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Believes that the mission and image of customs should be redefined and given additional stimulus to reflect customs realities; considers that allocation of appropriate financial resources for customs-related procedures and processes is essential in ~~achieving this aim~~order to enable customs to perform its priority tasks, and that particular emphasis should be placed on the use of the available, limited resources in the area of risk management, on guaranteeing the protection and security of the market and society and on border protection at the European Union's external borders; calls on the Commission to revamp its strategy on customs;

Amendment 21 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Considers that as customs are entrusted with more and more responsibilities the Member States should match these with adequate resources;

Amendment 22 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Is concerned that different national interpretations of the EU customs legislation create red tape for business with a consequential negative impact on the European competitiveness and weakens the EU’s ability to administer an efficient risk based approach to compliance; therefore calls on the Member States to fully commit to the process of modernisation of customs and especially to the uniform application of EU customs legislation; moreover insists that the Commission without delay takes all necessary actions to ensure a seamless and harmonised application of the EU customs legislation throughout the EU.

Amendment 23 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Is concerned that today the different national interpretations and requirements of the existing European customs legislation imposed by Member States create red tape for business and weaken the EU’s ability to administer an efficient risk based approach to compliance; therefore insists that the Commission takes all necessary actions to ensure a seamless and harmonised enforcement of the current applicable European customs legislation across the EU.

Amendment 24 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 d (new)

2d. Calls on the Commission to provide by June 2012 a report to the European Parliament on the current status of compliance by the Member States with the EU customs legislation including an action plan to address any shortcomings identified; considers that the industry should be consulted by the Commission when performing this task;

Amendment 25 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 e (new)

2e. Calls for the Commission to provide by June 2012 a report to the European Parliament on the current status of compliance by the Member States to the current applicable European customs legislation including an action plan to address any shortcomings identified; the industry should be consulted by the Commission when performing this task;

Amendment 26 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 f (new)

2f. Notes that customs administrations must be modernised by creating a results-oriented administrative system, implementing quality management methods based on international standards and tried-and-tested procedures and improving the internal monitoring system and management of organisational risk, taking account of operational and information processes;

Amendment 27 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Is of the opinion that, in order to increase European economic competitiveness, simplification, standardisation and modernisation of customs legislation and procedures and the use of IT tools are paramount; considers that one of the major achievements of modernised customs iswill be predictability for business, especially for SMEs, which in turn stimulates economic growth;

Amendment 28 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Is of the opinion that, in order to increase European economic competitiveness, simplification, standardisation and modernisation of customs legislation and procedures and the use of modern and efficient IT tools are paramount; considers that one of the major achievements of modernised customs is predictability for business, especially for SMEs, which in turn stimulates economic growth;

Amendment 29 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Believes, however, that given the limited resources of SMEs, the implementation of the new customs procedures and considerable investments to implement~~Notes that considerable investments may be needed to adapt to new customs procedures and modernised e- customs requirements; stresses tha~~ve to~~t these must be reasonable ~~and insists on their assessment in the context of the impact~~not to create unnecessary burdens, especially on SMEs;

Amendment 3 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas Customs Union is one of the essential milestones of European Integration and a basis for the free movement of goods, economic development and growth in the internal market;

Amendment 30 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Believes, however, that given the limited resources of SMEs, the implementation of the new customs procedures and considerable investments to implement e- customs requirements have to be reasonable and ~~insists~~concentrate on alleviating bureaucracy and costs; insists in this regard, on their assessment in the context of their impact on SMEs;

Amendment 31 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that customs controls should primarily target high-risk consignments, whereas low-risk consignments should be speedily released for free circulation; emphasises in that regard the crucial role of risk management techniques and strongly supports the introduction and further modernisation of electronic customs clearance systems; considers that effective risk management is dependent upon collection and proper assessment of high- quality information ~~and its proper assessment~~on quality and origin of goods;

Amendment 32 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that customs controls should primarily target high-risk consignments, whereas low-risk consignments should be speedily released for free circulation; emphasises in that regard the crucial role of risk management techniques and strongly supports the introduction and further modernisation of electronic customs clearance systems; considers that effective risk management is dependent upon collection of high-quality information, the time taken for this purpose and its proper assessment;

Amendment 33 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that customs controls should primarily target high-risk consignments, whereas low-risk consignments should be speedily released for free circulation; emphasises in that regard the crucial role of risk management techniques and strongly supports the introduction and further modernisation of electronic customs clearance systems; considers that effective risk management is dependent upon collection and exchange of high-quality information and its proper assessment;

Amendment 34 #

Olle SCHMIDT, Silvana KOCH-MEHRIN, Jürgen CREUTZMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Considers that customs controls should primarily target high-risk consignments, whereas low-risk consignments should be speedily released for free circulation; emphasises in that regard the crucial role of risk management techniques and strongly supports the introduction and further modernisation of electronic customs clearance systems; considers that effective risk management is dependent upon timely collection of high-quality ~~information and its proper assessment~~necessary and complete information and its effective assessment throughout the electronic processing ensuring safety and public security;

Amendment 35 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. W~~hile recognising the importance of supply chain security, consider~~elcomes indications that the US ~~legislative~~ requirement of 100 % scanning ~~is overly burdensome and excessively costly, while actual benefits are doubtful~~of US- bound container cargo might be reconsidered, and is determined to continue the transatlantic legislative dialogue with the US ~~in order to achieve the repeal or amendment of legislation~~on this matter;

Amendment 36 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Insists that any future extension of supply chain security legislation within the EU must follow a full risk based approach, targeting only higher risk consignments for both documentary and physical evaluation;

Amendment 37 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Emphasises that the MCC is an important tool to streamline ~~and truly harmonise~~ customs procedures in order to contribute to the strengthening of the European economy; considers that implementing provisions of the MCC should fully reflect the spirit of the MCC; is concerned that some essential implementing provisions are still under consideration and strategic decisions with regard to the IT architecture have not yet been taken;

Amendment 38 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Is convinced that the MCC could reach its full potential only if fully supported by advanced IT systems; strongly believes that any further investments in IT should be guided by the core principles of the MCC; stresses however that, when certain standards are agreed, Member States should be allowed to maintain their own systems, when the quality is of a higher level;

Amendment 39 #

Eija-Riitta KORHOLA, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Is convinced that the MCC could reach its full potential only if fully supported by properly developed and advanced IT systems; strongly believes that any further investments in IT should be guided by the core principles of the MCC;

Amendment 4 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas an efficient Customs Union is one of the essential ~~mile~~cornerstones of the European Iintegration process;

Amendment 40 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Highlights the need for trade to have access to proper specifications by the Member States well in advance as ~~they~~businesses also need time to develop and implement their own IT applications;

Amendment 41 #

Malcolm HARBOUR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Highlights the need for trade to have access to proper specifications by the Member States well in advance as they need time to develop and implement their IT applications; stresses in this regard, that the technical and financial capabilities of national administrations and economic operators in deploying new systems must be taken into account in setting the new deadline for the application of the MCC;

Amendment 42 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Stresses that the modernisation of customs should make procedures easier for businesses, especially SMEs; asks the Commission in this regard, to reconsider its newly introduced practice regarding rules on how the origin of goods is determined;

Amendment 43 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Applauds the proposal to align the~~Welcomes the envisaged alignment of provisions of the MCC on delegation of powers and granting of implementing powers with the Treaty of Lisbon; underlines that this new system is representative of a newly established balance between the European Parliament and the Council, especially as, with regard to delegated acts, both institutions are placed on an equal footing;

Amendment 44 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Applaud~~Welcomes the proposal to align the provisions of the MCC on delegation of powers and granting of implementing powers with the Treaty of Lisbon; underlines that this new system is representative of a newly established balance between the European Parliament and the Council, especially as, with regard to delegated acts, both institutions are placed on an equal footing;

Amendment 45 #

Olle SCHMIDT, Silvana KOCH-MEHRIN, Jürgen CREUTZMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recognises that the postponement of the application of the MCC is appropriate; suggests, however, that the Commission explore possibilities of introducing a gradual application of certain provisions of the MCC as soon as ~~feasible~~it is technically feasible and there is certainty on no further need for changes;

Amendment 46 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Re~~cognise~~grets that the postponement of the application of the MCC is ~~appropriate~~for practical reasons necessary; suggests, however, that the Commission explore possibilities of introducing gradual application of certain provisions of the MCC as soon as feasible and of setting an ambitious, but realistic new deadline for complete application of the MCC, e.g. 2015;

Amendment 47 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recognises that the postponement of the application of the MCC is appropriate; ~~suggests, however, that the Commission explore possibilities of introducing gradual application of certain provisions of the MCC as soon as feasible~~urges the Commission, however, in cooperation with the Member States and in view of the difficulties and problems of the Member States in developing computer systems, to draw up a study seeking to establish when the MCC can be fully implemented;

Amendment 48 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

Amendment 49 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recognises that the postponement of the application of the MCC is appropriate~~; suggests, however,~~ and considers that 2016 could be a suitable new deadline; moreover suggests that the Commission explore possibilities of introducing gradual application of certain provisions of the MCC as soon as feasible;

Amendment 5 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas customs, being conveniently located at the border, can efficiently contribute to ensuring that only safe goods enter the EU;

Amendment 50 #

Malcolm HARBOUR

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recognises that the postponement of the application of the MCC is appropriate; suggests, however, that the Commission explore possibilities of introducing gradual application of certain provisions of the MCC ~~as soon as~~if at all feasible;

Amendment 51 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Recognises that the postponement of the application of the MCC is appropriate; ~~suggests, however, that the Commission explore possibilities of introducing gradual application of certain provis~~calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Members States and taking into account the difficulties experienced with regard mainly to the development of electronic systems, to explore through a comprehensive evaluation the momentum for the uniform implementations of the MCC ~~as soon as feasible~~though directly linked to safety guarantees;

Amendment 52 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Strongly supports the concept of centralised clearance depending utterly on the appropriate electronic systems, which is one of the principal aspects of modernised customs as conceived in the MCC, and regrets the lack of progress in the implementation of this concept; reminds the central role the customs should hold in the centralised clearance procedure;

Amendment 53 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls on the Member States to fully commit themselves to this concept, as only truly harmonised customs rules, information exchange systems and data formats can ensure the successful implementation of the centralised clearance concept; is concerned about slow developments in the process of simplification of VAT rules, and problems arising in the collection of VAT and excise duties, all of which isare crucial for a truly centralised clearance system;

Amendment 54 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls on the Member States to fully commit themselves to this concept, as only truly harmonised customs rules, information exchange systems and data formats can ensure the successful implementation of the centralised clearance concept; ~~is concerned about~~regrets the slow developments in the process of simplification of VAT and excise rules, which is crucial for a truly centralised clearance system;

Amendment 55 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls on the Member States to fully commit themselves to this concept, as only truly harmonised customs rules, information exchange systems and data formats can ensure the successful implementation of the centralised clearance concept; is concerned about slow developments in the process of simplification of VAT rules~~, which is crucial for a truly centralised clearance system~~; stresses the need for increased cooperation and exchange of best practices with respect to the collection of VAT on imported goods as existing differences can distort trade;

Amendment 56 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Calls on the Member States to fully commit themselves to this concept, as only truly harmonised customs rules, information exchange systems and data formats can ensure the successful implementation of the centralised clearance concept; is concerned about slow developments in the process of simplification of VAT rules, which is crucial for a truly centralised clearance system; having in mind the security to be ensured and the facilitation of trade, asks the Member States to make every effort to find a solution;

Amendment 57 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)

13a. Considers that there needs to be some flexibility with regard to rules and customs processes, in order to enable the Member States to continue, where possible, to tailor their approach in relation to logistical speed, complexity and volume of goods handled;

Amendment 58 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14

14. SCalls on the Commission and the Member States to improve service quality in relation to economic operators and other persons and to reduce the administrative burden on them; supports the Commission’s efforts to encourage traders across the EU to apply for AEO status; is concerned, however, that considerable investments necessary to obtain AEO status might be a serious obstacle for traders, especially SMEs;

Amendment 59 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ~~consider~~propose additional tangible benefits that could be granted to traders holding AEO certificates;

Amendment 6 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas customs still play an important role in safeguarding EU's financial interests even though the role of collection of the customs duties has been declining over the past years;

Amendment 60 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to consider additional benefits that could be granted to traders holding AEO certificates; in particular, calls on the Commission to look into dispensing with pre-arrival and pre-departure notifications both for imports and exports in the case of especially trusted operators such as AEOs and, accordingly, to enable transaction-based customs declarations to be dispensed with in the context of self-assessment and the local clearance procedure;

Amendment 61 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to consider additional benefits that could be granted to traders holding AEO certificates, e.g. relief for AEO’s from lodging of a security of customs debt as a rule and facilitation in payment of customs duties and VAT;

Amendment 62 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to consider additional ~~benefits that~~concrete benefits, such as significant reductions in administrative burdens or costs, which could be granted to traders holding AEO certificates and which would encourage businesses to apply;

Amendment 63 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15

15. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to consider additional benefits that could be granted to traders holding AEO certificates reminding nevertheless all the necessary prerequisites for the acquisition of this status as stated in Article 14 of the MCC, namely compliance with customs and tax requirements, satisfactory system of managing commercial and where appropriate, transport records which allows appropriate customs controls, proven financial solvency, practical standards of competence or professional qualifications directly related to the activity carried out and safety and security standards;

Amendment 64 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)

15a. Calls on the Commission to consider simplifying the application procedure to obtain an AEO status;

Amendment 65 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)

16a. Calls on the Commission to accelerate negotiations on mutual recognition of AEO programmes with the US and other major trade partners in order to make AEO status more beneficial for EU companies;

Amendment 66 #

Motion for a resolution
Heading 3, subheading 3 a (new)

Other specific issues

Amendment 67 #

Motion for a resolution
Heading 3, subheading 3 b (new)

Simplifications and exceptions

Amendment 68 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)

16b. Welcomes the intention of the Commission to introduce simplifications of procedures in the area of imports and exports;

Amendment 69 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)

16c. Calls on the Commission in future, in the context of 'local clearance procedures', to dispense with individual notifications and to provide for goods to be released without the involvement of the customs authorities, in order to ensure that procedures operate smoothly, particularly in the case of just-in-time consignments;

Amendment 7 #

Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)

Bc. whereas latest air cargo security incidents prove that the focus on security is appropriate and customs administrations have to remain vigilant to the terrorism threats;

Amendment 70 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)

16d. Urges that the existing duty thresholds and derogations in respect of customs applications for the smallest consignments in import and export trade in many Member States be retained and standardised across the EU, for example up to an amount of EUR 1 000, and included in the area of pre-arrival and pre-departure notifications;

Amendment 71 #

Olle SCHMIDT, Silvana KOCH-MEHRIN, Jürgen CREUTZMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)

16e. Calls for the maintaining of procedural simplifications relating to oral customs declarations for consignments worth fewer than a specific threshold, as cancellation of the existing exemption would lead to additional burdens for businesses as well as customs authorities;

Amendment 72 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)

16f. Underlines that it is important to foresee simplifications for customs declarations for commercial goods of less than 1,000 Euro in order to avoid bureaucracy for many SMEs; calls on the Commission to examine if current simplifications can be maintained in the ongoing harmonisation process and, should this not be the case, to introduce alternative facilitations for the import and export of low value goods;

Amendment 73 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 g (new)

16g. Calls for the maintaining of the existing provisions concerning the sale for export and the inclusion of certain royalties and license fees in the customs value, as considers that unwarranted changes to these provisions will result in a higher customs value, which subsequently will result in a higher tax burden;

Amendment 74 #

Motion for a resolution
Heading 3, subheading 3 c (new)

Non-preferential origin

Amendment 75 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 h (new)

16h. Supports retaining the criterion of the last substantial transformation for determining non-preferential origin; is concerned about the trend towards seeking to establish rules regarding non-preferential origin using different methods to determine origin for imports and exports;

Amendment 76 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 i (new)

16i. Supports the implementation of list rules in the area of non-preferential origin only for special cases, which should be regarded as exceptions; calls for the established rules as currently laid down in Annexes 10 and 11 to the Regulation implementating the Customs Code to be retained and for there not to be any further extension of list-based criteria to other products, so as to prevent the administrative burden on customs authorities and economic operators from being clearly added to without any compensating economic benefits;

Amendment 77 #

Olle SCHMIDT, Silvana KOCH-MEHRIN, Jürgen CREUTZMANN

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 j (new)

16j. Considers that complex list-based criteria cannot make up for the dropping of the current Article 25 of the Community Customs Code; does not agree with the Commission's assessment that there is a greater need for more legal certainty on the part of economic operators, which the introduction of list-based criteria would address; advocates, therefore, a reference to the respective regulation establishing a commercial policy measure, in which rules on determining origin in special cases, for example anti-dumping, can be laid down in line with requirements;

Amendment 78 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 k (new)

16k. Calls on the Commission to maintain the principle that the non preferential origin of goods is determined according to the place where their last substantial economically justified processing occurred; stresses that, if additional origin rules are established, this should be done in such a way as to avoid unnecessary administrative burdens for businesses and take into account the importance of facilitating international trade;

Amendment 79 #

Motion for a resolution
Heading 4

Customs’ role in ensuring product safety, protection of financial interests and protection of intellectual property rights and in determining non-preferential origin

Amendment 8 #

Eija-Riitta KORHOLA, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT

Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)

Bd. whereas the importation into the EU of counterfeit and pirated goods leads to a loss in revenue and violates intellectual property rights; whereas counterfeit products can pose serious risks to the safety and health of the European consumers;

Amendment 80 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Encourages strong cooperation between customs administrations ~~and~~, market surveillance authorities and businesses to intercept unsafe and/or non-compliant products at the border prior to their release for free circulation throughout the EU;

Amendment 81 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Encourages strong cooperation between customs administrations and market surveillance authorities, e.g. to intercept unsafe and/or non-compliant products at the border prior to their release for free circulation throughout the EU;

Amendment 82 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. E~~ncourage~~xpects strong cooperation between customs administrations and market surveillance authorities to intercept unsafe and/or non-compliant products at the border prior to their release for free circulation throughout the EU;

Amendment 83 #

Ildikó GÁLL-PELCZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Encourages strong cooperation between customs administrations and market surveillance authorities to intercept unsafe and/or non-compliant products at the border ~~prior to their release for free circulation throughout the EU~~; calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure proper training of officers so as to ensure even better detection of products presenting a risk;

Amendment 84 #

Ildikó GÁLL-PELCZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Is concerned that the failure of some operators to pay the necessary duties or to declare the actual value of goods entails unfair advantages over fair traders; warns that such a situation impedes fair competition and leads to considerable distortions in the functioning of the internal market; continues to support Member States’ efforts to enhance tax and customs regulation and tax collection capacities, to reinforce international conventions against corruption, tax evasion and illegal flows and to increase financial transparency, as well as increased exchanges of information on current customs legislation.

Amendment 85 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20

20. Is concerned that the failure of some operators to pay the necessary duties or to declare the actual value of goods ~~entails unfair advantages over fair traders~~puts honest and compliant traders at a disadvantage; warns that such a situation impedes fair competition and leads to considerable distortions in the functioning of the internal market;

Amendment 86 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)

21a. Calls for the first sale rule to be retained and for the recording of costs in connection with the risk analysis, which entails significant costs for operators, to be dropped; is concerned about the proposals currently being discussed with regard to establishing a transaction value, which do not comply with the requirement relating to sale for export to the customs territory of the Community but. rather, represent a paradigm shift towards sale for import into the customs territory of the Community, which is not in accordance with the GATT Customs Valuation Code;

Amendment 87 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

Amendment 88 #

Christian ENGSTRÖM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

Amendment 89 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. ~~Welcom~~Notes the recent Commission proposal for a draft regulation concerning customs enforcement of intellectual property rights, a~~s it~~nd firmly believes that customs can effectively contribute to the protection of intellectual property rights;

Amendment 9 #

Eija-Riitta KORHOLA, Anna Maria CORAZZA BILDT

Motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas customs ~~is primarily characterised by ever~~today face increasing volumes of import, export and transit transactions while resources remain limited and therefore efficient and effective risk management is of particular importance;

Amendment 90 #

Ildikó GÁLL-PELCZ

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22

22. Welcomes the recent Commission proposal for a draft regulation concerning customs enforcement of intellectual property rights, as it firmly believes that customs can effectively contribute to the protection of intellectual property rights; stresses that the further developed Customs Code makes it possible to retain goods suspected of violating intellectual property law, and that the Code thus comprises one pillar of the Union’s legal framework for the protection of intellectual property rights;

Amendment 91 #

Christian ENGSTRÖM

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23

23. Supports the work carried out in the framework of the European Observatory on Counterfeiting and Piracy and encourages full use of its potential; welcomes in that regard the recent Commission proposal for a draft regulation on entrusting the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market (Trade Marks and Designs) with certain tasks related to the protection of intellectual property rights;deleted

Amendment 92 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that engagement between customs, market surveillance authorities and business is of the utmost importance and that ~~both~~all parties should acknowledge and respect the needs, realities and expectations of the others and combine their knowledge, expertise in their respective fields and wide-ranging talents in order to achieve optimal performance and outcomes;

Amendment 93 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26

26. Believes that engagement between customs and business is of the utmost importance and should be based on the principles of transparency, consistency, coherence and predictability and considers that both parties should acknowledge and respect the needs, realities and expectations of the other and combine their knowledge, expertise in their respective fields and wide-ranging talents in order to achieve optimal performance and outcomes;

Amendment 94 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)

26a. Considers that all Member States should have formal mechanisms in place for transparent dialogue between customs and the private sector; calls on customs and the private sector to identify best practices for cooperation and promote those as well as encourages both parties to undertake assessment of the cooperation and develop necessary evaluation tools in order to identify problems and offer possible solutions;

Amendment 95 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)

26b. Considers that all Member States should have formal mechanisms in place for transparent dialogue between Customs Administrations and the private sector;

Amendment 96 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

~~27. Suggests that the trade sector in the EU establish a true organisation that could speak with one voice, express common views and produce common positions;~~deleted

Amendment 97 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27

27. Suggests that the trade sector in the EU establish a true organisation, where SMEs be appropriately represented, that could speak with one voice, express common views and produce common positions;

Amendment 98 #

Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28

Amendment 99 #