PUBLIC HEARING ON MODERNISED CUSTOMS CODE: Think small, act big and focus on "trade facilitations" in Europe's future customs policy

OCEAN to participate in the hearing of the Modernised Customs Code in the European Parliament

 OCEAN will participate in the hearing on the Modernised Customs Code which will take place on June 16th 2011 in the European Parliament. The ship supply industry depends on modern rules which do not hinder trade but allow trade to remain competitive in these challenging economic times. Also, the crucial importance of SME's for EU's economy must be considered in this respect. "To ensure this, is the role of the EP - the voice of Europe's people and business" OCEAN Chairman Mr. Ericson said.

Speaking in Rotterdam, Europe's largest port, Chairman of the Working Group on Customs, Peter de Haas Jr. said that OCEAN is looking for predictability, simplicity, and trade facilitation in the Modernised Customs Code: "Yes, customs policy is a dry, not sexy affair. But the consequences of getting it wrong will have a direct impact of the attractiveness of our business. If we don't focus on Trade Faciltation during this economic downturn under the MCCIPs, then we miss a crucial opportunity to help European Business deal with this difficult economic time». Portuguese Customs Expert Mr. Alves Fernando Pinto wondered if one can still speak of a "Modernised Customs Code". Is it still "modern"? What makes it modern? Maybe the panel at the hearing could explain this: "Should the EP not make sure that we obtain a real "modern" code, which recognizes the need for customs policy to support trade in obtaining the economic growth we need in these tough times of economic downturn. This could be a real focus of customs policy" he commented.

Certainly, one key demand from OCEAN, which I hope you and my TCG colleagues can share is that fact that "trade facilitations" obtained under the current customs code need to be maintained under the Modernized Customs Code, otherwise we are worse of than today (as can be seen already today e.g. through the additional AEO criteria introduced). For example, this ,in OCEAN's case, relates to  maintenance of the small consignments articles in the MCCs or the recognition of ship supply as an export operation. 

Speaking in Rotterdam, Europe's largest port, Chairman of the Working Group on Customs, Peter de Haas Jr. said that OCEAN is looking for predictability, simplicity, and trade facilitation in the Modernized Customs Code: "Yes, customs policy is a dry, not sexy affair. But the consequences of getting it wrong will have a direct impact of the attractiveness of our business. If we don't focus on Trade Facilitation during this economic downturn under the MCCIPs, then we miss a crucial opportunity to help European Business deal with these difficult economic times». Portuguese Customs Expert Mr. Alves Fernando Pinto wondered if one can still speak of a "Modernised Customs Code". Is it still "modern"? What makes it modern? Maybe the panel at the hearing could explain this: "Should the EP not make sure that we obtain a real "modern" code, which recognizes the need for customs policy to support trade in obtaining the economic growth we need in these tough times of economic downturn. This could be a real focus of customs policy" he commented.