Strengthening the role of customs at European level
Customs is an intrinsically European administration, since the Customs Union is one of the exclusive competences of the European Union. The General Directorate of Customs and Indirect Duties (DGDDI) therefore applies the Union Customs Code (UCC) and is in constant contact with the European institutionsnotably the Commission and its directorates-general at the origin of legislative acts.
So, French Customs participates in more than 130 working bodies of European institutions (project groups, working groups, expert groups and specialized committees, etc.), whether from the European Commission or the Council of the European Union.
Far from focusing solely on economic, financial or anti-fraud and security themes, it deals with a wide variety of subjects that impact the daily life of citizens and businesses in the areas of health, consumer protection or the environment.
It should also be noted the growing participation of customs in the development and implementation of structuring non-customs regulations for the Customs Union, as evidenced by the important role of customs in the construction of an adjustment mechanism. carbon borders (MACF), the fight against imported deforestation, the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the General Product Safety Regulation (RSGP).
Within the European CommissionFrench Customs thus works mainly in conjunction with the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD)but also with the Directorate-General for the Internal Market, Industry and Entrepreneurship (DG GROW), the Directorate General Health and Consumers (DG SANTE), the General Directorate of Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME), the General Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), the Directorate-General for the Environment (DG ENVI), the Directorate-General for the Budget (DG BUDG), the Directorate-General for Trade (DG TRADE) and the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE).
A context of ambitious reform of the Customs Union
This Europe Day 2024 takes place in a particularly rich European customs context, since the 27 member states are discussing within the Council of the Union the reform of the Customs Union, a package of reforms of unprecedented scale. It aims to upgrade the Customs Union by responding to new challenges facing European customs authorities, such as exponential growth of e-commerce or the continued increase in non-customs regulations of which customs must ensure proper application at the external borders of the Union.
To do this, the reform project provides in particular for the creation of a data platform shared with market surveillance authoritiesthe establishment of a European customs authority or even specific management of e-commerce. Co-legislator, the European Parliament officially declared itself last March in favor of the reform project by 486 votes for, 19 votes against and 97 abstentions.
The first milestones of strengthened European cooperation
With the establishment of the customs authority not expected to come into force until January 2028, DG TAXUD and the customs of the 27 member states have agreed to put in place a reinforced cooperation framework in many areas.
Last week in Paris, the DGDDI hosted a fifty customs experts from across the European Union for a seminar dedicated to the development of the roadmap for the future European Customs Alliance for Borders (ADEF or EUCAB in English – EU Customs Alliance for Borders).
The ADEF, which will come into force at the beginning of 2025, will be equipped witha budget of 10 million euros. It constitutes the foreshadowing framework of the future European Customs Authority. It will thus offer member states an operational cooperation framework for the different types of borders (maritime, land and airport) as well as for support themes: training, equipment, risk management, evaluation of border crossing points, communication, etc.
All the proposals made at the Paris meeting will be discussed by the Directors General of Customs of the member states from May 22 to 24 during the High Level Seminar (SHN) which will be held in Antwerp and will adopt the final program of work of ADEF.
