Customs controls

Union Customs Code

The definition ‘customs controls’ is provided in the Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (article 5, point 3):

‘Customs controls’ means specific acts performed by the customs authorities in order to ensure compliance with the customs legislation and other legislation governing the entry, exit, transit, movement, storage and end-use of goods moved between the customs territory of the Union and countries or territories outside that territory, and the presence and movement within the customs territory of the Union of non-Union goods and goods placed under the end-use procedure.

European Commission

The role of Customs Controls

Customs are involved in the implementation and enforcement of EU legislation on import and export from and to non-EU countries. Previously, customs controls focussed more on the fiscal aspects of customs work, but in recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on the importance of customs controls for purposes such as security, safety and protection of the environment.

This includes controls on:

• The duties to be paid, and the correct description of the goods, their origin and value
• Security and safety measures  (smuggling, drugs, cigarettes, weapons, counterfeited products, fight against terrorism)
• Compliance with environmental legislation
• Compliance with Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) rules
• Health requirements, veterinary, phytosanitary and quality regulations

In addition, customs are also often supporting the work of other services such as police and immigration services.

Operating in a fast-moving environment

Customs controls must be quick, effective and based on modern risk management techniques in order not to disrupt trade flows in a fast-moving economy. Effective controls, avoiding unnecessary delays or costs for economic operators is achieved through:

• close co-operation with business, particularly when it comes to exchange of information.
• the use of modern IT techniques and tools
• highly specialised examination equipment
• efficient risk management methods

Information from https://ec.europa.eu