Release for free circulation in the EU

(VAT excluded, card and bank transfer accepted)

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(VAT excluded, card and bank transfer accepted)

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Overview Resources

In this course, you will become familiar with one of the two main customs procedures that enable the vast majority of international trade transactions. This is the release for free circulation (also called simply 'import'). This procedure concerns non-Union goods intended to be placed on the EU market or intended for private use or consumption within the customs territory of the EU. To carry out this customs procedure, importers must comply with numerous requirements regarding taxation, trade measures, prohibitions, and restrictions and complete the necessary paperwork.

The course is Module 14 of the extensive Customs clearance and trade compliance in the EU training (see the brochure).

Lessons

The course consists of three lessons:

  1. Introduction to customs procedure of release for free circulation. Learn what customs procedures are in general and release for free circulation in particular. Find out what conditions of the release for free circulation procedure are (including examples from the court practice).
  2. Legal requirements for the release for free circulation. Learn the main Union Customs Code provisions on this procedure, non-tariff and tariff requirements as well as some aspects of the customs status of goods released for free circulation.
  3. Customs formalities are required for goods to be released for free circulation. Learn how to deal with the single administrative document, or customs declaration, required for the customs procedure of release for free circulation.

After watching the videos, please take the quiz and then finalise the module by doing the readings (see in Resources) - after purchasing the course, you will be given access to the articles on the platform.  

Outcome

At the end of this course, you should understand:

  • What is a release for free circulation and what does it mean for international trade;
  • The conditions and requirements for placing goods under this customs procedure;
  • What you should do to comply with the requirements above;
  • How to avoid the main risks related to the release for free circulation;
  • What are the implications of the release for free circulation;
  • Where to find the necessary information for successfully completing the release for free circulation procedure (databases, other sources).

After successfully completing the quiz (more than 60% of the answers should be correct), you will receive a certificate of completion.

Time

Please plan to dedicate around 3 hours to complete this course.

The prominence given to free circulation in the structure of the UCC is an indicator of its importance - it was considered by the EU legislators that it is appropriate to devote a separate chapter to the procedure, despite its brevity.

Dr Gediminas Valantiejus

Customs Knowledge Institute: 🔗 Customs Knowledge Institute is an Irish not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to bring together passionate customs practitioners for the purpose of enhancing customs knowledge. 📧 CKI@customsknowledgeinstitute.org  
CustomsClear: we are the customs and trade compliance knowledge marketplace and our goal is to connect knowledge seekers with industry-related experts. Check other available 🔗 courses.

Resources are available after purchase.

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