EU Customs Code

Описание: I welcome an agreement to update the EU's rules on customs. The Customs Union is a key tenet of the EU. The changes to be adopted in this report will modernise and simplify procedures, therefore reducing bureaucracy and allowing United Kingdom businesses to operate with greater ease.

In providing a means for all transactions to be carried out electronically by 2020, these proposals will make the customs procedures fit for purpose in the digital age. Furthermore, this update has allowed for the rules governing origin markings of products to be strengthened, including providing measures aimed at ensuring the traceability of products from third-party countries. This will give British consumers greater protection against counterfeit products and bring increased confidence to the system of origins and their markings.

These changes will also bring benefits to businesses and consumers throughout the rest of Europe, helping to make the EU more competitive globally. The widespread support that these proposals have received at committee stage is testament to their quality. I am pleased, along with the ECR Group, to be able to add my support.