Communication on the EU strategy and action plan for customs risk management: tackling risks, strengthening supply chain security and facilitating trade

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Smooth and safe trade flows are of critical importance to the economic growth and competitiveness of the European Union (EU), which is also the world's largest trading block. Effective management of risks in the international supply chain is crucial to ensuring the security and safety of EU residents, the protection of the financial and economic interests of the EU, while at the same time facilitating legitimate trade. The EU single market and customs union requires, for their proper functioning, customs to tackle risks consistently. In order to strengthen the integrity of international supply chains, risk management by EU customs must be improved.

After full implementation of the Security Amendment of the Community Customs Code in 2011, the Commission published, in January 2013, an analysis of the implementation of customs risk management policy. The Communication identified gaps in the current approach and proposed a way forward. In June 2013, the Council invited the Commission to bring forward a coherent strategy on risk management and supply chain security based on a step by step action plan.

This Communication puts forward a strategy for improving customs risk management and supply chain security and a table of priority actions.