A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD THROUGH A GREEN LANE FOR COMPLIANT TRADE
On December 11, 2024, CLECAT participated at a high-profile event titled “A Level Playing Field Through a Green Lane for Compliant Trade” in Brussels, organised by the Federation of Polish Entrepreneurs and the European Express Association. With a packed agenda and an impressive turnout, the seminar drew immense interest from policymakers, trade associations, and industry leaders eager to discuss the ongoing EU Customs Reform.
The event featured opening remarks by senior customs officials, including Ms. Małgorzata Krok, Deputy Head of National Revenue Administration in Poland, and Mr. Kristóf Péter Bakai, Deputy Commissioner for Customs and International Affairs in Hungary. MEP Dirk Gotink, rapporteur on the Customs Reform proposal, welcoming the presence of what he described as the ‘whole customs universe of Europe’ in the room. He emphasised the significance of the Customs Reform and the event’s unique role in bringing together high-level representatives from the three European legislative institutions and key European trade associations. He reaffirmed the new Parliament’s strong support for the reform and urged stakeholders to ‘combine their resources’ to achieve swift adoption of the Reform.
Discussions during the panels focused on the implications of the EU Customs Reform. There was a strong emphasis on the need to finalize the implementation of the Union Customs Code (UCC) and to establish a centralized EU Customs Data Hub. Simplification of procedures for trusted traders and the promotion of harmonized practices through an EU Customs Authority were also central to the debate. Speakers emphasized that the reform must meet the dual objectives of enhancing competitiveness and ensuring security. Reflecting on the Draghi report’s conclusions and the priorities of the new European Commission, participants highlighted that economic competitiveness and security are not mutually exclusive goals but can be achieved through smart reform and EU-wide harmonization.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of the Joint Industry and Trade Statement on the EU Customs Reform, which brought together 22 trade associations from across Europe including CLECAT.
CLECAT has long championed a customs reform that ensures trade facilitation remains accessible to businesses of all sizes. The joint statement reinforces the importance of a balanced approach to liability, acknowledging actual data-ownership structures. This is vital for enabling intermediaries to facilitate secure trade while allowing importers to retain control over their operations.
The event concluded with a call to action: after decades of discussions on the need for customs reform - from the Modernized Customs Code (MCC) to the UCC and now the Customs Reform - now is the time to act. The statement by 22 industry and trade associations sends a clear message to institutional stakeholders: the EU Customs Reform must meet the needs of a compliant and efficient supply chain while supporting the EU’s broader objectives of economic growth and security.