Adaptation of systems to the UCC
Find out how Spanish Customs is planning to implement the UCC systems.
As provided in the recitals of Regulation ( EU) 2019/632 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL extending the transitional regime, the transition to the full use of electronic systems contemplated in the Union Customs Code, will allow the application of the simplifications established in the Code, to their full potential and will result in a better exchange of information, a more effective registration of the arrival, transit and departure of goods, a centralized clearance and harmonized customs controls throughout the customs territory of the Union and with all this, administrative costs, bureaucracy, errors and fraud in customs declarations will be reduced, as well as the elusive choice of the place of import.
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 CAU contemplates the deadlines for having the different electronic systems available.
Meeting these deadlines, as described above, requires the comprehensive planning of all systems.
Although it is true that the European Commission publishes the biannual programming update on its website, with information from all Member States (art. 278 bis CAU ), the Spanish Customs is also interested in making its internal planning transparent, so that economic operators can, in turn, make appropriate business IT decisions.
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:
- 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).
- 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 keep in mind that the planning table is an organizational tool, which seeks to create a more transparent environment in the development of the CAU 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.