New Customs Code of Customs Union to come into force in 2013

Practice has shown the need for changes in the Customs Code of the Customs Union, which was launched in the three countries in July 2010. A decision to amend the code was adopted by the Commission of the Customs Union last year. Groups of experts have been set up. This work is supervised by the head of the Federal Customs Service of Russia Andrei Belyaninov.

Schedule for the preparation of the amendments to the Customs Code of the Customs Union is tight, noted Alexander Adereiko. This work should be completed by the end of June 2012. The new Customs Code of the Customs Union should come into force on 1 January 2013.

Alexander Adereiko named the basic principles that experts and the working group navigate by when working on the Customs Code of the Customs Union. "The structure and conceptual framework will not be amended. This is very important for law enforcement," Alexander Adereiko said. Experts will propose selective amendments and additions. The document will include a number of agreements that have already been adopted and made part of the Customs Union legal framework. The Customs Code of the Customs Union will include 12 out of 26 international agreements, Alexander Adereiko said.

In his words, while developing the document the parties will use the provisions of the international convention on simplification and harmonization of customs procedures (Kyoto Convention) as a basis. On the whole, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan have prepared over 300 amendments to the Customs Code of the Customs Union.

Alexander Adereiko noted that the year 2011 was a key one for the development of the Customs Union legal framework. The customs legislation consists of the main document, the Customs Code of the Customs Union, 26 international agreements and nearly 80 resolutions of the Customs Union Commission; Kazinform has learned from BelTA.