Call for adopting EEU Customs Code by 1 January 2016
Vladimir Goshin underlined that the Eurasian Economic Union member states should act as smoothly and as promptly as possible in order to give the union new customs legislation that will meet modern technical requirements as early as 1 January 2016. The Minister reminded that the Eurasian Economic Union's Customs Code will allow removing several present barriers and will enable favorable conditions for foreign trade participants. In particular, it will simplify trade procedures, will allow implementing digital document flows, will reduce time and financial costs in customs operations for the private sector.
The main principles reflected by the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union include the prioritization of digital customs declarations and the use of hardcopy declarations only in exclusive cases. Apart from that, the Customs Code will allow computer systems to perform customs operations relating to the registration of customs declarations and the release of merchandise without involving personnel of customs agencies. The same approach will be used for submitting declarations on merchandise without providing the documents the declarations are based on to the customs agency. The Customs Code also specifies one-stop procedures for customs operations, including those relating to the arrival, departure, and customs declaration of merchandise. The Code allows handing over merchandise to the importer, provided the payment of customs duties and taxes is guaranteed, if customs control procedures that began before the release of merchandise are not completed. The Customs Code will improve the institution of authorized economic operators. The Code will make provisions for consultative relations between customs agencies and representatives of the business community, BelTA reports.
"The draft Customs Code is the first draft international treaty of the Customs Union member states in the sphere of customs regulations, which development involves not only representatives of the Eurasian Economic Commission and government agencies but also business communities. The fact allows taking into account interests, discussing problems and finding compromise solutions," the press service of the State Customs Committee quoted Andei Gaishun, Chairman of the Association of Customs Agents, as saying.
The press service explained that representatives of the business circles of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan had prepared and submitted consolidated proposals regarding the improvement of the existing customs laws of the Customs Union and the Single Economic Space. The proposals have been reflected in the draft Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Union.