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On 19 May, the Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement on a single window (SW) for customs which sets the appropriate conditions for digital collaboration between customs and partner competent authorities. The provisional agreement is subject to approval by the Council and the European Parliament before going through the formal adoption procedure.

The new rules are expected to boost the smooth flow of cross-border trade and will help reduce the administrative burden for traders, particularly by saving time and making clearance simpler and more automated. Once fully implemented, businesses will no longer have to submit documents to several authorities through different portals. Member states’ authorities involved in goods clearance at the EU’s external borders will be able to access and exchange electronic information submitted by traders. The single window environment will allow customs and other authorities to automatically verify that the goods in question comply with EU requirements and that the necessary formalities have been completed.

This initiative will be implemented based on interfaces with existing import, export or transit systems at national level, rather than introducing entirely new IT platforms. Member states will invest in transforming processes and IT systems, so that they can fully reap the benefits of the single window. Member states will set up national single window environments, through which businesses will be able to upload the information related to the goods they are bringing in or out of the EU. These national single window environments will then link up through EU CSW-CERTEX with the EU databases managing non-customs formalities, so that all relevant authorities can access the relevant data and collaborate more easily on border checks.

CLECAT is pleased with the deal on the EU customs single window and now looks forward to the formal adoption of the proposal. If properly and effectively implemented, the SW will allow for future-looking digital solutions for quicker and more efficient sharing of electronic data between different government authorities involved in the clearance of goods and ultimately improve trade facilitation by simplified processes, time saving, faster clearance and reduction of administrative burden and costs for businesses. CLECAT notes, however, that the scope of the SW needs to as wide as possible, if authorities and trade are to reap any true benefits and if the goals of SW are to be achieved as originally envisaged. Proper practical implementation also needs to be ensured, based on an ambitious yet realistic timeline, given the ongoing implementation of the UCC that already creates challenges for both Member States and economic operators.

Source: EU Council