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On November 30, CLECAT participated in the 64th Plenary meeting of the Trade Contact Group. The main agenda items of the meeting were the update on the Customs Reform status and a presentation on the EU Ports Alliance initiative by the Commission. Various topics were then also raised by TCG members, including CBAM.

The Commission's presentation on the Customs Reform provided an overview of trade consultations, the current work of the Council, relevant EP Committees, the Commission's next goals, and the upcoming legislative process steps. CLECAT appreciates that some points from their Position Paper are considered in shaping the reform. In the summary of trade inputs received by the Commission, key elements advocated by CLECAT were mentioned, such as expanding the scope of Trust and Check status, the revision on how to maintain currently successful customs facilitations for companies using customs intermediaries, the possible continuation on the AEOC status and making the future customs landscape more accessible to SMEs.

Concerning AEO status usage, CLECAT continued to question the Commission's assumption that most companies hold AEO status today, and that the majority of these are ´from the SME community´. CLECAT proposed revisiting data from Member States' Customs Administrations to accurately determine practical AEO usage, particularly among European freight forwarders and customs brokers who act as an umbrella for thousands of non-AEO clients, mostly of whom are SMEs. This clarification is crucial in CLECAT´s opinion as it impacts one of the most significant elements of the Customs Reform, the successful implementation of which will be a key factor to the success of future trade facilitations and ultimately: the competitiveness of European Economic Operators.

CLECAT also expressed support for the Commission's initiative to combat Drug Trafficking in European Ports, aligning with other TCG members. The statistics and action plans outlined in relation to the EU Ports Alliance project were concerning, and TCG members unanimously pledged their support. CLECAT emphasised that Custom Agents have traditionally been part of the Private-Public Partnership, a key component of the Commission's action plan.

The meeting concluded positively, with all parties recognising the value of ongoing discussions and the need for more frequent meetings due to the numerous subjects currently under consideration.