Strategy for customs cooperation in the area of law enforcement and its contribution to the internal security of the EU

Summary:

Strategy adopted by the Council of the European Union on 8 June 2023, setting out a framework for customs law enforcement cooperation and its cooperation with other stakeholders.

Further information:

Customs is the leading authority for monitoring and controlling the movement of goods at the external border of the European Union (EU). Based on the competences and powers entrusted to them in national law, customs authorities contribute to the internal security of the EU by preventing, detecting, investigating or contributing to the investigation of crime. Customs activities in detecting and addressing risks before goods arrive in, or depart from the EU, and checking goods upon entry and exit from the EU are crucial in the fight against cross-border crime.

Customs law enforcement cooperation and its contribution to the internal security of the EU has evolved over the years. Recent global and regional crises had an impact on the global flow of goods, and the resulting risks increased. An ew customs advance cargo information system should strengthen the capacity of customs in risk management. It ought to bring new opportunities for improved cooperation between customs and other law enforcement authorities.

The Strategy seeks to strengthen the capacity of customs authorities to:

• prevent, detect and investigate, or contribute to the investigation of cross-border crimes, and to deal with security-related incidents, threats, risks and crises;
• improve, facilitate and increase the effectiveness of the cooperation and exchange of information between customs authorities and between these and other official stakeholders;
• enhance cross-border cooperation, including joint operations, between customs authorities and between these and other law enforcement authorities and relevant bodies;
• enhance intelligence and risk analysis using data from other law enforcement agencies, and promote interoperability between relevant customs and JHA information systems.

This Strategy builds on the successes of previous strategies. It retains the positive aspects identified during their implementation and seeks a further improvement of the overall approach. It also implements the Resolution adopted by the Council on the same day as regards customs cooperation in the area of law enforcement and its contribution to the internal security of the EU.

Official

EUR-LEX: C217, 20/06/2023: Council Resolution on customs cooperation in the area of law enforcement and its contribution to the internal security of the EU https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=uriserv:OJ.C_.2023.217.01.0001.01.ENG

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