THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) is concerned over delays in the European Commission Inter-Services Consultation on the Implementing and Delegating Acts (IA/DA) for the Union Customs Code (UCC).
BIFA says conflicting information is emerging from Brussels regarding the extent of the delays to the legislative process.
The new legislation aims to usher in the automation of processes and provide a common platform for all customs procedures throughout the European Union.
BIFA said its understands the Anti-Fraud unit (Olaf) and the EC's Directorate-General for Budget had problems with some content in the draft legislation, which "potentially could lead to changes which will impact on trade.
"In addition, the commission's legal services team had insisted on changes to the wording and structure, which will not impact on the content."
The association has learned that the Inter-Services Consultation has been completed and that the final versions of the Implementing and Delegating Acts (IA/DA) for the Union Customs Code are likely to be circulated to stakeholders, including trade, at the beginning of July.
"It is very regrettable that the recent delays will reduce an already tight timeframe for trade and national governments to implement the changes required under the UCC," the release said.
BIFA said it will continue to liaise closely with its Customs Policy Group and HM Revenue & Customs in the UK to monitor developments on behalf of the trade association's members.
"The Commission expects the internal formal endorsement of the IA/DA during the last meeting of the College of Commissioners before the summer break, after which the European Parliament and the Council would have two months to give their agreements," said BIFA director general Robert Keen said.
"The Commission has said that it plans to finalise the procedure of adoption by the end of September this year, and BIFA certainly hopes it keeps to that schedule," he said.
WORLD SHIPPING
29 June 2015 - 21:22
UK forwarders push for creation of Union Customs Code for Europe
THE British International Freight Association (BIFA) is concerned over delays in the European Commission Inter-Services Consultation on the Implementing and Delegating Acts (IA/DA) for the Union Customs Code (UCC).
WORLD SHIPPING
29 June 2015 - 21:22
UK forwarders push for creation of Union Customs Code for Europe
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