Press Release: Customs: EU and China sign landmark mutual recognition agreement and intensify their customs cooperation

EU and Chinese trusted traders would enjoy lower costs, simplified procedures and greater predictability in their activities, thanks to a mutual recognition agreement signed on 16 May 2014. Under the agreement, the EU and China committed to recognising each other's certified safe traders, thereby allowing these companies to benefit from faster controls and reduced administration for customs clearance. Mutual recognition of trusted traders also allowed customs to focus their resources on real risk areas, thereby improving supply chain security on both sides. The EU was the first trading partner to enter into such an agreement with China, having already signed similar deals with the USA (2012) and Japan (2011). EU Commissioner for Taxation and Customs, Algirdas Šemeta, was at the Joint Customs Cooperation Committee (JCCC) meeting in Beijing, for the signing of the agreement.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: SPEECH/14/386: EU-China Customs Cooperation: An ambitious path forward http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-14-386_en.pdf

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/353: Questions and answers: EU-China customs cooperation and combating illicit trade http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-353_en.pdf

EU: EEAS: China http://eeas.europa.eu/china/index_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Conclusions on EU-China customs cooperation, General Affairs Council meeting, Brussels, 13 May 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-conclusions-on-eu-china-customs-cooperation-general-affairs-council-meeting-brussels-13-may-2014/

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