Adaptation of systems to the UCC

As indicated in the recitals of Regulation (EU) 2019/632 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL extending the transitional arrangements, the switch to the full use of electronic systems provided for in the Union Customs Code will allow the simplifications set out in the Code to be implemented to their full potential and will help to improve the exchange of information, more efficient recording of the arrival, transit and departure of goods, centralised clearance and harmonised customs controls throughout the customs territory of the Union, thereby reducing administrative costs, bureaucracy, errors and fraud in customs returns as well as evasive selection of the import location.

However, the implementation of all the electronic systems provided for in the Union Customs Code requires that existing electronic systems are fully reprogrammed.Furthermore, electronic systems are closely interconnected and it is therefore important to introduce them gradually in the correct order.

The new Article 278 of the UCC sets out the deadlines for making the different electronic systems available.

Meeting these deadlines, as described above, requires the comprehensive planning of all systems.

While it is true that the European Commission publishes the biannual update to programming on its website, with information from all the Member States (Art. 278a of the UCC), Spanish Customs is also interested in making its internal planning transparent, so that economic operators can, in turn, make the appropriate decisions when it comes to their corporate IT systems.

Based on the foregoing, a link has been included to the information sent to the European Commission with the planning of the different systems, indicating, as stipulated in Article 278a.2:

1. The publication date of the technical specifications for the external communication of the electronic system (to be published on the Agency's website and announced accordingly).
2. The planned and actual implementation dates of the electronic systems (distinguishing between when the system will be in production and when it will become mandatory for operators).

For all these systems, information on implementation schedules and mandatory dates will be provided in good time.

Similarly, technical system guides are published well in advance to allow companies to adapt their electronic systems.

It is important to note that the planning table is an organisational tool, which aims to create a more transparent environment for the development of the UCC's systems.It therefore has no legal value.This table will be updated twice a year, at the same time that information is transferred to the European Commission.