| Author (Corporate) | European Commission: Press and Communication Service |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Press Release |
| Series Details | IP/00/268 (16.3.00) |
| Publication Date | 16/03/2000 |
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Customs Commissioner Frits Bolkestein has welcomed the political agreement reached at the 16th March Internal Market Council on a common position on a Commission proposal to streamline and modernise the operation of the Community's Customs Code. The proposal, presented in June 1998 (see IP/98/496) will facilitate, in particular, moves towards paperless import and export declarations and the modernisation of customs procedures. The amendment also introduces a new concept of the protection of the 'good faith' of those who import goods under preferential arrangements. These 'good faith' provisions been introduced to the Commission's satisfaction to protect against the risk of fraud based on claims for lower import tariffs using incorrect country of origin certificates. In particular, a fair balance has been struck between safeguarding the Community's financial interests and making allowances for the importer to demonstrate his 'good faith' by taking due care to ensure that all the conditions for the preferential tariff treatment have been fulfilled. This provision was introduced following the Commission's threat in December 1999 to withdraw the proposal unless there were stronger safeguards against fraud (see IP/99/926). Once the Common Position has been formally adopted by the Council, it will be examined by the European Parliament in second reading |
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| Source Link | http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/00/268&format=HTML&rapid=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en |
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| Subject Categories | Internal Markets |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
