19.12.2006

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 360/64

COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 1875/2006

of 18 December 2006

amending Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code (1), and in particular Article 247 thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

The amendments to Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92, hereinafter ‘the Code’, laid down in Regulation (EC) No 648/2005, introduce a number of measures to tighten security for goods entering or leaving the Community. Those measures should produce faster and better targeted customs controls, and consist in the analysis and electronic exchange of risk information between customs authorities and between those authorities and the Commission under a common risk management framework, the requirement for pre-arrival and pre-departure information to be provided to the customs authorities on all goods entering or leaving the customs territory of the Community, and the granting of the status of authorised economic operator to reliable economic operators who meet certain criteria and who are to benefit from simplifications provided for under the customs rules and/or facilitations with regard to customs controls.

(2)

In order to ensure effective and expeditious implementation of those measures, it is necessary that data exchange between customs authorities is carried out through information technology and computer networks, using agreed standards and common data sets.

(3)

Given the progress in Member States’ computerised customs clearance systems, as well as the use by the Member States and the Commission of information technology and computer networks, the common use of such systems should be extended beyond the existing computerised transit system, starting with the introduction of an computerised system for the control of exports.

(4)

For the purposes of a common risk management framework and the establishment of an equivalent level of customs controls throughout the Community, risk analysis should be based upon data processing techniques using common criteria. The risk information should therefore be exchanged among customs authorities and the Commission using, without prejudice to national or international obligations, a Community customs risk management system, common priority control areas, and common risk criteria and standards for the harmonised application of customs controls in specific cases.

(5)

Economic operators who fulfil the conditions for obtaining the status of authorised economic operator, thus distinguishing themselves positively from other economic operators, should be considered as reliable partners in the supply chain. Authorised economic operators should therefore be able to benefit not only from simplifications provided for under the customs rules but also, where they fulfil certain safety and security conditions, from facilitations with regard to customs controls.

(6)

It is necessary to establish common conditions and criteria in all Member States for the granting, amendment or revocation of authorised economic operators’ certificates, or for suspension of the status of authorised economic operator, as well as rules on the application for and issuing of authorised economic operators’ certificates. In order to ensure that a high level of security is maintained, customs authorities should continuously monitor the compliance of authorised economic operators with the relevant requirements.

(7)

It is necessary to establish and maintain a common electronic information and communication system to store and exchange information regarding authorised economic operators.

(8)

In order to enable proper risk analysis and appropriate risk-based controls, it is necessary to establish the time limits and detailed rules governing the obligation of economic operators to provide pre-arrival and pre-departure information to the customs authorities for all goods brought into or out of the customs territory of the Community. In keeping with similar measures adopted at international level as part of the Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade, endorsed by the World Customs Organisation, and in accordance with other special arrangements provided for in international agreements, it is appropriate to take into account different means of transport, as well as different types of goods or economic operators.

(9)

In order to enable customs authorities to carry out effective risk analysis, it is necessary for pre-arrival and pre-departure information to be lodged electronically. Paper-based declarations or notifications should be permitted only in certain exceptional circumstances.

(10)

The data to be required in entry and exit summary declarations should be harmonised so as to ensure a common basis for risk analysis throughout the Community and to enable the effective exchange of information between customs authorities. Although for those purposes account should be taken of the type of traffic by which the goods are carried and of the status of authorised economic operator, security and safety measures should not be jeopardised. Furthermore, although a waiver of the requirement for summary declarations can be justified for goods moved under the rules of the Universal Postal Union, due to the particular circumstances that surround this type of traffic, it is nevertheless necessary to provide for a technical framework for data to be provided to customs authorities by electronic means in respect of this traffic, for mutual benefit.

(11)

In the event of a positive risk analysis, an equivalent level of preventive control should be applied throughout the Community. In that context, the trader or carrier should be notified accordingly.

(12)

The rules governing the presentation and temporary storage of goods brought into the customs territory of the Community should incorporate the changes in data requirements.

(13)

Accordingly, for cases in which the customs declaration is used as an entry or exit summary declaration, it is also appropriate to adjust the general rules governing the method, time and place of lodging customs declarations for placing goods under a customs procedure.

(14)

In order to enable a more efficient control of the export procedure and outward processing, as well as re-exportation, for the purposes of security and safety as well as customs controls, the customs authorities should replace the current paper-based procedure with an electronic exchange of data between the customs office of export and the customs office of exit.

(15)

The computerised system for the control of exports should operate in parallel with the paper-based export procedure for a transitional period. The paper-based export procedure should also be used as a fallback arrangement for the electronic system both during and after the transitional period. Specific provisions should apply where export data is exchanged between customs offices under the computerised system for the control of exports. In order to ensure the proper functioning of that system, the existing provisions of the paper-based export procedure should also be amended.

(16)

In order to maintain the simplifications possible under the export rules, without affecting the benefits offered to economic operators by the computerised system for the control of exports, exporters should be able to choose whether to use the provisions relating to goods leaving the customs territory of the Community under a single transport contract.

(17)

The provisions relating to the granting of the status of authorised economic operator should apply from 1 January 2008, in order to allow Member States to set up the necessary administrative structures.

(18)

However, in order to allow reasonable time for Member States and economic operators to adapt their electronic systems, the provisions laid down in this Regulation relating to the definition of data requirements and the electronic lodging of pre-arrival and pre-departure information should apply from 1 July 2009.

(19)

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 (2) should therefore be amended accordingly.

(20)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Customs Code Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 is amended as follows:

1.

In Article 1, the following point is added:

‘12.

Economic operator means:

a person who, in the course of his business, is involved in activities covered by customs legislation.’

2.

In Part I, Title I, the following Chapters 4 and 5 are added:

‘CHAPTER 4

Data exchange between customs authorities using information technology and computer networks

Article 4d

1. Without prejudice to any special circumstances and to the provisions of the procedure concerned, which, where appropriate, shall apply mutatis mutandis, where electronic systems for the exchange of information relating to a customs procedure or economic operators have been developed by Member States in co-operation with the Commission, the customs authorities shall use such systems for the exchange of information between customs offices concerned.

2. Where the customs offices involved in a procedure are located in different Member States, the messages to be used for the exchange of data shall conform to the structure and particulars defined by the customs authorities in agreement with each other.

Article 4e

1. In addition to the conditions referred to in Article 4a (2), the customs authorities shall establish and maintain adequate security arrangements for the effective, reliable and secure operation of the various systems.

2. To ensure the level of system security provided for in paragraph 1 each input, modification and deletion of data shall be recorded together with information giving the reason for, and exact time of, such processing and identifying the person who carried it out. The original data and any data so processed shall be kept for at least three calendar years from the end of the year to which such data refers, unless otherwise specified.

3. The customs authorities shall monitor security regularly.

4. The customs authorities involved shall inform each other and, where appropriate, the economic operator concerned, of all suspected breaches of security.

CHAPTER 5

Risk management

Article 4f

1. Customs authorities shall undertake risk management to differentiate between the levels of risk associated with goods subject to customs control or supervision and to determine whether or not, and if so where, the goods will be subject to specific customs controls.

2. The determination of levels of risk shall be based on an assessment of the likelihood of the risk-related event occurring and its impact, should the event actually materialise. The basis for the selection of consignments or declarations to be subject to customs controls shall include a random element.

Article 4g

1. Risk management at Community level, referred to in Article 13(2) of the Code, shall be carried out in accordance with an electronic common risk management framework comprised of the following elements:

(a)

a Community customs risk management system for the implementation of risk management, to be used for the communication among the Member States customs authorities and the Commission of any risk-related information that would help to enhance customs controls;

(b)

common priority control areas;

(c)

common risk criteria and standards for the harmonised application of customs controls in specific cases.

2. Customs authorities shall, using the system referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1, exchange risk-related information in the following circumstances:

(a)

the risks are assessed by a customs authority as significant and requiring customs control and the results of the control establish that the event, as referred to in Article 4(25) of the Code, has occurred;

(b)

the control results do not establish that the event, as referred to in Article 4(25) of the Code, has occurred, but the customs authority concerned considers the threat to present a high risk elsewhere in the Community.

Article 4h

1. Common priority control areas shall cover particular customs-approved treatments or uses, types of goods, traffic routes, modes of transport or economic operators that are to be subject to increased levels of risk analysis and customs controls during a certain period.

2. The application of common priority control areas shall be based upon a common approach to risk analysis and, in order to ensure equivalent levels of customs controls, common risk criteria and standards for the selection of goods or economic operators for control.

3. Customs controls carried out in common priority control areas shall be without prejudice to other controls normally carried out by the customs authorities.

Article 4i

1. The common risk criteria and standards referred to in Article 4g(1)(c) shall include the following elements:

(a)

a description of the risk(s);

(b)

the factors or indicators of risk to be used to select goods or economic operators for customs control;

(c)

the nature of customs controls to be undertaken by the customs authorities;

(d)

the duration of the application of the customs controls referred to in point (c).

The information resulting from the application of the elements referred to in the first subparagraph shall be distributed by use of the Community customs risk management system referred to in Article 4g(1)(a). It shall be used by the customs authorities in their risk management systems.

2. Customs authorities shall inform the Commission of the results of customs controls carried out in accordance with paragraph 1.

Article 4j

For the establishment of common priority control areas and the application of common risk criteria and standards account shall be taken of the following elements:

(a)

proportionality to the risk;

(b)

the urgency of the necessary application of the controls;

(c)

probable impact on trade flow, on individual Member States and on control resources.’

3.

In Part I, the following Title IIA is inserted:

‘TITLE IIA

AUTHORISED ECONOMIC OPERATORS

CHAPTER 1

Procedure for granting the certificates

Section 1

General provisions

Article 14a

1. Without prejudice to the use of simplifications otherwise provided for under the customs rules, the customs authorities may, following an application by an economic operator and in accordance with Article 5a of the Code, issue the following authorised economic operators’ certificates (hereinafter referred to as “AEO certificates”):

(a)

an AEO certificate — Customs simplifications in respect of economic operators requesting to benefit from simplifications provided for under the customs rules and who fulfil the conditions laid down in Articles 14h, 14i and 14j;

(b)

an AEO certificate — Security and safety in respect of economic operators requesting to benefit from facilitations of customs controls relating to security and safety when the goods enter the customs territory of the Community, or when the goods leave the customs territory of the Community and who fulfil the conditions laid down in Articles 14h to 14k;

(c)

an AEO certificate — Customs Simplifications/security and safety, in respect of economic operators requesting to benefit from the simplifications described in point (a) and from facilitations described in point (b), and who fulfil the conditions laid down in Articles 14h to 14k.

2. The customs authorities shall take due account of the specific characteristics of economic operators, in particular of small and medium-sized companies.

Article 14b

1. If the holder of an AEO certificate referred to in point (a) or (c) of Article 14a(1) applies for one or more of the authorisations referred to in Articles 260, 263, 269, 272, 276, 277, 282, 283, 313a, 313b, 324a, 324e, 372, 454a, 912g, the customs authorities shall not re-examine those conditions which have already been examined when granting the AEO certificate.

2. When an entry summary declaration has been lodged by the holder of an AEO certificate referred to in point (b) or (c) of Article 14a(1), the competent customs office may, before the arrival of the goods into the customs territory of the Community, notify the authorised economic operator when, as a result of security and safety risk analysis, the consignment has been selected for further physical control. This notice shall only be provided where it does not jeopardise the control to be carried out.

Member States may, however, carry out a physical control even where an authorised economic operator has not been notified, prior to the arrival of the goods in the customs territory of the Community, of the selection of the consignment for such control. When goods are to leave the customs territory of the Community, the first and second subparagraphs shall apply mutatis mutandis.

3. Holders of an AEO certificate referred to in point (b) or (c) of Article 14a(1) importing or exporting goods may lodge entry and exit summary declarations comprising the reduced data requirements set out in Section 2.5 of Annex 30A.

Carriers, freight forwarders or customs agents who are holders of an AEO certificate referred to in point (b) or (c) of Article 14a(1), and are involved in the importation or exportation of goods on behalf of holders of AEO certificate referred to in point (b) or (c) of Article 14a(1) may also lodge entry and exit summary declarations comprising the reduced data requirements set out in Section 2.5 of Annex 30A.

Holders of an AEO certificate entitled to use reduced data requirements may be required to provide additional data elements in order to ensure the proper functioning of systems set out in international agreements with third countries relating to mutual recognition of AEO certificates and measures related to security.

4. The holder of an AEO certificate shall be subject to fewer physical and document-based controls than other economic operators. The customs authorities may decide otherwise in order to take into account a specific threat, or control obligations set out in other Community legislation.

Where, following risk analysis, the competent customs authority nevertheless selects for further examination a consignment covered by an entry or exit summary declaration or by a customs declaration lodged by an authorised economic operator, it shall carry out the necessary controls as a matter of priority. If the authorised economic operator so requests, and subject to agreement with the customs authority concerned, these controls may be carried out at a place which is different from the place of the customs office involved.

5. The benefits laid down in paragraphs 1 to 4 shall be subject to the economic operator concerned providing the necessary AEO certificate numbers.

Section 2

Application for an AEO certificate

Article 14c

1. Application for an AEO certificate shall be made in writing or in an electronic form in accordance with the specimen set out in Annex 1C.

2. Where the customs authority establishes that the application does not contain all the particulars required, the customs authority shall, within 30 calendar days of receipt of the application, ask the economic operator to supply the relevant information, stating the grounds for its request.

The time limits referred to in Articles 14l(1) and 14o(2) shall run from the date on which the customs authority receives all the necessary information to accept the application. The customs authorities shall inform the economic operator that the application has been accepted and the date from which the time limits will run.

Article 14d

1. The application shall be submitted to one of the following customs authorities:

(a)

the customs authority of the Member State where the applicant's main accounts related to the customs arrangements involved are held, and where at least part of the operations to be covered by the AEO certificate are conducted;

(b)

the customs authority of the Member State where the applicant's main accounts related to the customs arrangements involved are accessible in the applicant's computer system by the competent customs authority using information technology and computer networks, and where the applicant's general logistical management activities are conducted, and where at least part of the operations to be covered by the AEO certificate are carried out.

The applicant's main accounts referred to in points (a) and (b) shall include records and documentation enabling the customs authority to verify and monitor the conditions and the criteria necessary for obtaining the AEO certificate.

2. If the competent customs authority can not be determined under paragraph 1, the application shall be submitted to one of the following customs authorities:

(a)

the customs authority of the Member State where the applicant's main accounts related to the customs arrangements involved are held;

(b)

the customs authority of the Member State where the applicant's main accounts related to the customs arrangements involved are accessible, as referred to in paragraph 1(b), and the applicant's general logistical management activities are conducted.

3. If a part of the relevant records and documentation is kept in a Member State other than the Member State of the customs authority to which the application has been submitted pursuant to paragraph 1 or 2, the applicant shall duly complete Boxes 13, 16, 17 and 18 of the application form set out in Annex 1C.

4. If the applicant maintains a storage facility or other premises in a Member State other than the Member State of the customs authority to which the application has been submitted pursuant to paragraph 1 or 2, this information shall be provided by the applicant in Box 13 of the application form set out in Annex 1C, in order to facilitate the examination of the relevant conditions at the storage facility or other premises by the customs authorities of that Member State.

5. The consultation procedure referred to in Article 14m shall apply in the cases referred to in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 of this Article.

6. The applicant shall provide a readily accessible central point or nominate a contact person within the administration of the applicant, in order to make available to the customs authorities all of the information necessary for proving compliance with the requirements for issuing the AEO certificate.

7. Applicants shall, to the extent possible, submit necessary data to the customs authorities by electronic means.

Article 14e

Member States shall communicate to the Commission a list of their competent authorities, to which applications have to be made, and any subsequent changes thereto. The Commission shall forward such information to the other Member States or make it available on the Internet.

These authorities shall also act as the issuing customs authorities of the AEO certificates.

Article 14f

The application shall not be accepted in any of the following cases:

(a)

the application does not comply with Articles 14c and 14d;

(b)

the applicant has been convicted of a serious criminal offence linked to the economic activity of the applicant or is subject to bankruptcy proceedings at the time of the submission of the application;

(c)

the applicant has a legal representative in customs matters who has been convicted of a serious criminal offence related to an infringement of customs rules and linked to his activity as legal representative;

(d)

the application is submitted within three years after revocation of the AEO certificate as provided for in Article 14v(4).

Section 3

Conditions and criteria for granting the AEO certificate

Article 14g

An applicant need not be established in the customs territory of the Community in the following cases:

(a)

where an international agreement between the Community and a third country in which the economic operator is established provides for mutual recognition of the AEO certificates and specifies the administrative arrangements for carrying out appropriate controls on behalf of the Member State's customs authority if required;

(b)

where an application for the granting of an AEO certificate referred to in point (b) of Article 14a(1) is made by an airline or a shipping company not established in the Community but which has a regional office there and already benefits from the simplifications laid down in Articles 324e, 445 or 448.

In the case referred to in point (b) of the first paragraph, the applicant shall be deemed to have met the conditions set out in Articles 14h, 14i and 14j, but shall be required to meet the condition set out in Article 14k(2).

Article 14h

1. The record of compliance with customs requirements referred to in the first indent of Article 5a(2) of the Code shall be considered as appropriate if over the last three years preceding the submission of the application no serious infringement or repeated infringements of customs rules have been committed by any of the following persons:

(a)

the applicant;

(b)

the persons in charge of the applicant company or exercising control over its management;

(c)

if applicable, the applicant's legal representative in customs matters;

(d)

the person responsible in the applicant company for customs matters.

However, the record of compliance with customs requirements may be considered as appropriate if the competent customs authority considers any infringement to be of negligible importance, in relation to the number or size of the customs related operations, and not to create doubts concerning the good faith of the applicant.

2. If the persons exercising control over the applicant company are established or resident in a third country, the customs authorities shall assess their compliance with customs requirements on the basis of records and information that are available to them.

3. If the applicant has been established for less then three years, the customs authorities shall asses his compliance with customs requirements on the basis of the records and information that are available to them.

Article 14i

To enable the customs authorities to establish that the applicant has a satisfactory system of managing commercial and, where appropriate, transport records, as referred to in the second indent of Article 5a(2) of the Code, the applicant shall fulfil the following requirements:

(a)

maintain an accounting system which is consistent with the generally accepted accounting principles applied in the Member State where the accounts are held and which will facilitate audit-based customs control;

(b)

allow the customs authority physical or electronic access to its customs and, where appropriate, transport records;

(c)

have a logistical system which distinguishes between Community and non-Community goods;

(d)

have an administrative organisation which corresponds to the type and size of business and which is suitable for the management of the flow of goods, and have internal controls capable of detecting illegal or irregular transactions;

(e)

where applicable, have satisfactory procedures in place for the handling of licenses and authorisations connected to commercial policy measures or to trade in agricultural products;

(f)

have satisfactory procedures in place for the archiving of the company's records and information and for protection against the loss of information;

(g)

ensure that employees are made aware of the need to inform the customs authorities whenever compliance difficulties are discovered and establish suitable contacts to inform the customs authorities of such occurrences;

(h)

have appropriate information technology security measures in place to protect the applicant's computer system from unauthorised intrusion and to secure the applicant's documentation.

An applicant requesting the AEO certificate referred to in point (b) of Article 14a(1) shall not be required to fulfil the requirement laid down in point (c) of the first paragraph of this Article.

Article 14j

1. The condition relating to the financial solvency of the applicant referred to in the third indent of Article 5a(2) of the Code shall be deemed to be met if his solvency can be proven for the past three years.

For the purposes of this Article, financial solvency shall mean a good financial standing which is sufficient to fulfil the commitments of the applicant, with due regard to the characteristics of the type of the business activity.

2. If the applicant has been established for less then three years, his financial solvency shall be judged on the basis of records and information that are available.

Article 14k

1. The applicant's security and safety standards referred to in the fourth indent of Article 5a(2) of the Code shall be considered to be appropriate if the following conditions are fulfilled:

(a)

buildings to be used in connection with the operations to be covered by the certificate are constructed of materials which resist unlawful entry and provide protection against unlawful intrusion;

(b)

appropriate access control measures are in place to prevent unauthorised access to shipping areas, loading docks and cargo areas;

(c)

measures for the handling of goods include protection against the introduction, exchange or loss of any material and tampering with cargo units;

(d)

where applicable, procedures are in place for the handling of import and/or export licenses connected to prohibitions and restrictions and to distinguish these goods from other goods;

(e)

the applicant has implemented measures allowing a clear identification of his business partners in order to secure the international supply chain;

(f)

the applicant conducts, in so far as legislation permits, security screening on prospective employees working in security sensitive positions and carries out periodic background checks;

(g)

the applicant ensures that its staff concerned actively participate in security awareness programmes.

2. If an airline or shipping company which is not established in the Community, but has a regional office there and benefits from the simplifications laid down in Articles 324e, 445 or 448, submits an application for an AEO certificate referred to in point (b) of Article 14a(1), it shall fulfil one of the following conditions:

(a)

be the holder of an internationally recognised security and/or safety certificate issued on the basis of the international conventions governing the transport sectors concerned;

(b)

be a regulated agent, as referred to in Regulation (EC) No 2320/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (3), and fulfil the requirements laid down in Commission Regulation (EC) No 622/2003 (4);

(c)

be the holder of a certificate issued in a country outside of the customs territory of the Community, where a bilateral agreement concluded between the Community and the third country provides for acceptance of the certificate, subject to the conditions laid down in that agreement.

If the airline or shipping company is the holder of a certificate referred to in point (a) of this paragraph, it shall meet the criteria laid down in paragraph 1. The issuing customs authority shall consider the criteria laid down in paragraph 1 to be met, to the extent that the criteria for issuing the international certificate are identical or correspond to those laid down in paragraph 1.

3. If the applicant is established in the Community and is a regulated agent as referred to in Regulation (EC) No 2320/2002 and fulfils the requirements provided for in Regulation (EC) No 622/2003, the criteria laid down in paragraph 1 shall be deemed to be met in relation to the premises for which the economic operator obtained the status of regulated agent.

4. If the applicant, established in the Community, is the holder of an internationally recognised security and/or safety certificate issued on the basis of international conventions, of a European security and/or safety certificate issued on the basis of Community legislation, of an International Standard of the International Organisation for Standardisation, or of a European Standard of the European Standards Organisations, the criteria provided for in paragraph 1 shall be deemed to be met to the extent that the criteria for issuing these certificates are identical or correspond to those laid down in this Regulation.

Section 4

Procedure for issuing AEO certificates

Article 14l

1. The issuing customs authority shall communicate the application to the customs authorities of all other Member States within five working days starting from the date on which it has received the application in accordance with Article 14c using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

2. Where the customs authority of any other Member State has relevant information which may prejudice the granting of the certificate, it shall communicate that information to the issuing customs authority within 35 calendar days starting from the date of the communication provided for in paragraph 1, using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

Article 14m

1. Consultation between the customs authorities of the Member States shall be required if the examination of one or more of the criteria laid down in Articles 14g to 14k cannot be performed by the issuing customs authority due either to a lack of information or to the impossibility of checking it. In these cases, the customs authorities of the Member States shall carry out the consultation within 60 calendar days, starting from the date of the communication of the information by the issuing customs authority, in order to allow for the issuing of the AEO certificate or the rejection of the application within the time limits set out in Article 14o(2).

If the consulted customs authority fails to respond within the 60 calendar days, the consulting authority may assume, at the responsibility of the consulted customs authority, that the criteria for which the consultation took place are met. This period may be extended if the applicant carries out adjustments in order to satisfy those criteria and communicates them to the consulted and the consulting authority.

2. Where, following the examination provided for in Article 14n, the consulted customs authority establishes that the applicant does not fulfil one or more of the criteria, the results, duly documented, shall be transferred to the issuing customs authority which shall reject the application. Article 14o(4), (5) and (6) shall apply.

Article 14n

1. The issuing customs authority shall examine whether or not the conditions and criteria for issuing the certificate described in Articles 14g to 14k are met. Examination of the criteria laid down in Article 14k shall be carried out for all the premises which are relevant to the customs related activities of the applicant. The examination as well as its results shall be documented by the customs authority.

Where, in the case of a large number of premises, the period for issuing the certificate would not allow for examination of all of the relevant premises, but the customs authority has no doubt that the applicant maintains corporate security standards which are commonly used in all its premises, it may decide only to examine a representative proportion of those premises.

2. The issuing customs authority may accept conclusions provided by an expert in the relevant fields referred to in Articles 14i, 14j and 14k in respect of the conditions and criteria referred to in those Articles respectively. The expert shall not be related to the applicant.

Article 14o

1. The issuing customs authority shall issue the AEO certificate in accordance with the specimen set out in Annex 1D.

2. The AEO certificate shall be issued within 90 calendar days starting from the date of receipt, in accordance with Article 14c, of the application. Where the customs authority is unable to meet the deadline, this period may be extended by one further period of 30 calendar days. In such cases, the customs authority shall, before the expiry of the period of 90 calendar days, inform the applicant of the reasons for the extension.

3. The period provided for in the first sentence of paragraph 2 may be extended if, in the course of the examination of the criteria, the applicant carries out adjustments in order to satisfy those criteria and communicates them to the competent authority.

4. Where the result of the examination performed in accordance with Articles 14l, 14m and 14n is likely to lead to the rejection of the application, the issuing customs authority shall communicate the findings to the applicant and provide him with the opportunity to respond within 30 calendar days, before rejecting the application. The period laid down in the first sentence of paragraph 2 shall be suspended accordingly.

5. The rejection of an application shall not lead to the automatic revocation of any existing authorisation issued under the customs rules.

6. If the application is rejected, the customs authority shall inform the applicant of the grounds on which the decision is based. The decision to reject an application shall be notified to the applicant within the time limits laid down in paragraphs (2), (3) and (4).

Article 14p

The issuing customs authority shall, within five working days, inform the customs authorities of the other Member States that an AEO certificate has been issued, using the communication system referred to in Article 14x. Information shall also be provided within the same time limit if the application is rejected.

CHAPTER 2

Legal effects of AEO certificates

Section 1

General provisions

Article 14q

1. The AEO certificate shall take effect on the 10th working day after the date of its issue.

2. The AEO certificate shall be recognised in all Member States.

3. The period of validity of the AEO certificate shall not be limited.

4. The customs authorities shall monitor the compliance with the conditions and criteria to be met by the authorised economic operator.

5. A re-assessment of the conditions and criteria shall be carried out by the issuing customs authority in the following cases:

(a)

major changes to the relevant Community legislation;

(b)

reasonable indication that the relevant conditions and criteria are not any longer met by the authorised economic operator.

In the case of an AEO certificate issued to an applicant established for less than three years, close monitoring shall take place during the first year after issue.

Article 14n(2) shall apply.

The results of the re-assessment shall be made available to the customs authorities of all Member States, using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

Section 2

Suspension of the status of authorised economic operator

Article 14r

1. The status of authorised economic operator shall be suspended by the issuing customs authority in the following cases:

(a)

where non-compliance with the conditions or criteria for the AEO certificate has been detected;

(b)

the customs authorities have sufficient reason to believe that an act, which gives rise to criminal court proceedings and linked to an infringement of the customs rules, has been perpetrated by the authorised economic operator.

However, in the case referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph, the customs authority may decide not to suspend the status of authorised economic operator if it considers an infringement to be of negligible importance in relation to the number or size of the customs related operations and not to create doubts concerning the good faith of the authorised economic operator.

Before taking a decision, the customs authorities shall communicate their findings to the economic operator concerned. The economic operator concerned shall be entitled to correct the situation and/or express his point of view within 30 calendar days starting from the date of communication.

However, where the nature or the level of the threat to citizens’ security and safety, to public health or to the environment so requires, suspension shall take place immediately. The suspending customs authority shall immediately inform the customs authorities of the other Member States, using the communication system referred to in Article 14x, in order to permit them to take appropriate action.

2. If the holder of the AEO certificate does not regularise the situation referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 within the period of 30 calendar days referred to in the third subparagraph of paragraph 1, the competent customs authority shall notify the economic operator concerned that the status of authorised economic operator is suspended for a period of 30 calendar days, to enable the economic operator to take the required measures to regularise the situation. The notification shall also be sent to the customs authorities of the other Member States using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

3. If the holder of the AEO certificate has committed an act referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1, the issuing customs authority shall suspend the status of authorised economic operator for the duration of the court proceedings. It shall notify the holder of the certificate to that effect. Notification shall also be sent to the customs authorities of the other Member States, using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

4. Where the economic operator concerned has been unable to regularise the situation within 30 calendar days but can provide evidence that the conditions can be met if the suspension period is extended, the issuing customs authority shall suspend the status of authorised economic operator for a further 30 calendar days.

Article 14s

1. The suspension shall not affect any customs procedure already started before the date of suspension and not yet completed.

2. The suspension shall not automatically affect any authorisation which has been granted without reference to the AEO certificate unless the reasons for the suspension also have relevance for that authorisation.

3. The suspension shall not automatically affect any authorisation for use of a customs simplification which has been granted on the basis of the AEO certificate and for which the conditions are still fulfilled.

4. In the case of an AEO certificate referred to in point (c) of Article 14a(1), if the economic operator concerned fails to fulfil only the conditions laid down in Article 14k, the status of authorised economic operator shall be partially suspended and a new AEO certificate, as referred to in point (a) of Article 14a(1) may be issued at his request.

Article 14t

1. When the economic operator concerned has, to the satisfaction of the customs authorities, taken the necessary measures to comply with the conditions and criteria that have to be met by an authorised economic operator, the issuing customs authority shall withdraw the suspension and inform the economic operator concerned and the customs authorities of the other Member States. The suspension may be withdrawn before the expiry of the time limit laid down in Article 14r(2) or (4).

In the situation referred to in Article 14s (4), the suspending customs authority shall reinstate the suspended certificate. It shall subsequently revoke the AEO certificate referred to in point (a) of Article 14a(1).

2. If the economic operator concerned fails to take the necessary measures within the suspension period provided for in Article 14r(2) or (4), the issuing customs authority shall revoke the AEO certificate and immediately notify the customs authorities of the other Member States, using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

In the situation referred to in Article 14s (4), the original certificate shall be revoked and only the new AEO certificate as referred to in point (a) of Article 14a(1) issued shall be valid.

Article 14u

1. Where an authorised economic operator is temporarily unable to meet any of the criteria laid down in Article 14a, he may request suspension of the status of authorised economic operator. In such case, the authorised economic operator shall notify the issuing customs authority, specifying the date when he will be able to meet the criteria again. He shall also notify the issuing customs authority of any planned measures and their timescale.

The notified customs authority shall send the notification to the customs authorities of the other Member States using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

2. If the authorised economic operator fails to regularise the situation within the period set out in his notification, the issuing customs authority may grant a reasonable prolongation, provided that the authorised economic operator has acted in good faith. This prolongation shall be notified to the customs authorities of the other Member States using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

In all other cases, the AEO certificate shall be revoked and the issuing customs authority shall immediately notify the customs authorities of the other Member States, using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

3. If the required measures are not taken within the suspension period, Article 14v shall apply.

Section 3

Revocation of the AEO certificate

Article 14v

1. The AEO certificate shall be revoked by the issuing customs authority in the following cases:

(a)

where the authorised economic operator fails to take the measures referred to in Article 14t(1);

(b)

where serious infringements related to customs rules have been committed by the authorised economic operator and there is no further right of appeal;

(c)

where the authorised economic operator fails to take the necessary measures during the suspension period referred to in Article 14u;

(d)

upon request of the authorised economic operator.

However, in the case referred to in point (b), the customs authority may decide not to revoke the AEO certificate if it considers the infringements to be of negligible importance in relation to the number or size of the customs related operations and not to create doubts concerning the good faith of the authorised economic operator.

2. Revocation shall take effect from the day following its notification.

In the case of an AEO certificate as referred to in point (c) of Article 14a(1), where the economic operator concerned only fails to fulfil the conditions in Article 14k, the certificate shall be revoked by the issuing customs authority and a new AEO certificate as referred to in point (a) of Article 14a(1) shall be issued.

3. The issuing customs authority shall immediately inform the customs authorities of the other Member States of the revocation of an AEO certificate using the communication system referred to in Article 14x.

4. Apart from cases of revocation referred to in points (c) and (d) of paragraph 1, the economic operator shall not be permitted to submit a new application for an AEO certificate within three years from the date of revocation.

CHAPTER 3

Information exchange

Article 14w

1. The authorised economic operator shall inform the issuing customs authority of all factors arising after the certificate is granted which may influence its continuation or content.

2. All relevant information at the disposal of the issuing customs authority shall be made available to the customs authorities of the other Member States where the authorised economic operator carries out customs related activities.

3. If a customs authority revokes a specific authorisation granted to an authorised economic operator, on the basis of his AEO certificate, for the use of a particular customs simplification, as provided for in Articles 260, 263, 269, 272, 276, 277, 282, 283, 313a and 313b, 324a, 324e, 372, 454a, 912g, it shall so notify the customs authority which issued the AEO certificate.

Article 14x

1. An electronic information and communication system, defined by the Commission and the customs authorities in agreement with each other, shall be used for the information and communication process between the customs authorities and for information of the Commission and of the economic operators.

2. The Commission and the customs authorities shall, using the system referred to in paragraph 1, store and have access to the following information:

(a)

the electronically transmitted data of the applications;

(b)

the AEO certificates, and where applicable, their amendment, revocation, or the suspension of the status of authorised economic operator;

(c)

all other relevant information.

3. The issuing customs authority shall notify the risk analysis offices in its own Member State of the granting, amendment, revocation of an AEO certificate, or the suspension of the status of authorised economic operator. It shall also inform all issuing authorities of the other Member States.

4. The list of authorised economic operators may be disclosed by the Commission to the public via the Internet with prior agreement of the authorised economic operator concerned. The list shall be updated.’

4.

In Part I, Title VI, the heading of Chapter 1 is replaced by the following:

5.

In Part I, Title VI, Chapter 1, the following Section 1 is inserted:

‘Section 1

Scope

Article 181b

Except where otherwise provided for in this Regulation, all goods brought into the customs territory of the Community shall be covered by a summary declaration in accordance with Article 36a of the Code, hereinafter referred to as an “entry summary declaration”.

Article 181c

An entry summary declaration shall not be required in respect of the following goods:

(a)

electrical energy;

(b)

goods entering by pipeline;

(c)

letters, postcards and printed matter, including on electronic medium;

(d)

goods moved under the rules of the Universal Postal Union Convention;

(e)

goods covered by customs declarations made by any other act in accordance with Articles 230, 232 and 233;

(f)

goods contained in travellers’ personal luggage;

(g)

goods for which an oral customs declaration is permitted, in accordance with Articles 225, 227 and 229(1);

(h)

goods covered by ATA and CPD Carnets;

(i)

goods moved under cover of the form 302 provided for in the Convention between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces, signed in London on 19 June 1951;

(j)

goods carried on board vessels of regular shipping services, duly certified in accordance with Article 313b;

(k)

goods entitled to relief pursuant to the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations of 18 April 1961, the Vienna Convention on consular relations of 24 April 1963 or other consular conventions, or the New York Convention of 16 December 1969 on special missions.

However, in the cases covered by points (e), (f) and (g) of the first subparagraph, an entry summary declaration shall be required where the goods are to be placed in temporary storage. The first subparagraph of Article 184c shall apply.

Article 181d

If an international agreement between the Community and a third country provides for the recognition of security checks carried out in the country of export, the conditions set out in that agreement shall apply.’

6.

Article 182 is deleted.

7.

In Part I, Title VI, the heading of Chapter 2 is replaced by the following:

8.

Article 183 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 183

1. The entry summary declaration shall be made electronically. It shall contain the particulars laid down for such declaration in Annex 30A and shall be completed in accordance with the explanatory notes in that Annex.

The entry summary declaration shall be authenticated by the person making it.

Article 199(1) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

2. The customs authorities shall allow the lodgement of a paper-based entry summary declaration only in one of the following circumstances:

(a)

the customs authorities’ computerised system is not functioning;

(b)

the electronic application of the person lodging the entry summary declaration is not functioning.

Such paper-based entry summary declarations shall be accompanied, where necessary, by loading lists or other appropriate lists, and shall contain the particulars laid down for entry summary declarations in Annex 30A.

3. The customs authorities shall establish, in agreement with each other, the procedure to be followed in the cases referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 2.

4. The use of a paper-based entry summary declaration referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 2 shall be subject to the approval of the customs authorities.

The paper-based entry summary declaration shall be signed by the person making it.

5. Entry summary declarations shall be registered by the customs authorities immediately upon their receipt.’

9.

The following Articles 183a to 183d are inserted:

‘Article 183a

1. The data provided under a transit procedure may be used as an entry summary declaration if the following conditions are met:

(a)

the goods are brought into the customs territory of the Community under a transit procedure;

(b)

the transit data is exchanged using information technology and computer networks;

(c)

the data comprises all of the particulars required for an entry summary declaration.

2. Provided the transit data containing the required particulars is exchanged by the relevant time limit laid down in Article 184a, the requirements of Article 183 shall be deemed to have been met, even where the goods have been released for transit outside the customs territory of the Community.

Article 183b

In case of combined transportation, where the active means of transport entering the customs territory of the Community is only transporting another active means of transport, the obligation to lodge the entry summary declaration shall lie with the operator of that other means of transport.

The time limit for lodging the entry summary declaration shall correspond to the time limit applicable to the active means of transport crossing the border, as specified in Article 184a.

Article 183c

In the case of maritime or air traffic where a vessel sharing or contracting arrangement is in place, the obligation to lodge the entry summary declaration shall lie with the person who has undertaken a contract, and issued a bill of lading or air waybill, for the actual carriage of the goods on the vessel or aircraft subject to the arrangement.

Article 183d

1. In the cases referred to in Articles 183b and 183c, the operator of the active means of transport entering the customs territory of the Community shall lodge a pre-arrival notification at the customs office of entry listing all consignments carried on that means of transport.

The pre-arrival notification shall specify the identity of the active means of transport entering the customs territory of the Community. For each consignment, it shall contain the following information:

(a)

the identity of the person responsible for carriage of the goods at the entry into the customs territory;

(b)

the identity of the person lodging the entry summary declaration;

(c)

the place of loading;

(d)

the place of unloading;

(e)

the unique consignment reference number, transport document number or reference for the bill of lading/air waybill;

(f)

where appropriate, the identity of the means of transport or, if containerised, the equipment identification number.

The pre-arrival notification shall be lodged in the same format and by the same means as the entry summary declaration, or in the form of a commercial, port or transport manifest or loading list, provided that it contains the necessary particulars and is lodged in a manner acceptable to the customs authorities of the customs office of entry.

2. In cases other than those referred to in Articles 183b and 183c, where an entry summary declaration for goods carried on a means of transport entering the customs territory of the Community is to be lodged by a person other than the operator of that means of transport, that operator may lodge a pre-arrival notification with the customs authorities at the customs office of entry.

The pre-arrival notification shall specify the identity of the means of transport crossing the border. For each consignment, it shall contain the following information:

(a)

the identity of the person lodging the entry summary declaration;

(b)

the place of loading;

(c)

the place of unloading;

(d)

the unique consignment reference number, transport document number or reference for the bill of lading/air waybill;

(e)

if containerised, the equipment identification number.

3. The notification referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be lodged by the time limit applicable to the means of transport set out in Article 184a.

However in the case of the traffic referred to in point (a) of Article 184a(1) the notification shall be lodged at least 24 hours before the goods are brought into the customs territory of the Community.

4. Article 183 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to pre-arrival notifications.’

10.

In Article 184(1), ‘Article 183(1)’ is replaced by ‘Article 183(1) and(2)’.

11.

In Part I, Title VI, Chapter 1, the following Sections 3 and 4 are added:

‘Section 3

Time limits

Article 184a

1. In the case of maritime traffic the entry summary declaration shall be lodged at the customs office of entry by the following deadlines:

(a)

for containerised cargo, other than where point (c) or (d) applies, at least 24 hours before loading at the port of departure;

(b)

for bulk/break bulk cargo, at least four hours before arrival at the first port in the customs territory of the Community;

(c)

for movement between Greenland, the Faeroe Islands, Ceuta, Melilla, Norway, Iceland or ports on the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Black Sea or the Mediterranean, all ports of Morocco, and the customs territory of the Community with the exception of the French overseas departments, the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands, at least two hours before arrival at the first port in the customs territory of the Community;

(d)

for movement, other than where point (c) applies, between a territory outside the customs territory of the Community and the French overseas departments, the Azores, Madeira or the Canary Islands, where the duration of the voyage is less than 24 hours, at least two hours before arrival at the first port in the customs territory of the Community.

2. In the case of air traffic the entry summary declaration shall be lodged at the customs office of entry by the following deadlines:

(a)

for short haul flights, at least by the time of the actual take off of the aircraft;

(b)

for long haul flights, at least four hours prior to arrival at the first airport in the customs territory of the Community;

For the purposes of this paragraph, “short haul flight” means a flight the duration of which is less than four hours from the last airport of departure in a third country till the arrival to the first Community airport. All other flights are considered to be long haul flights.

3. In the case of rail and inland waters traffic, the entry summary declaration shall be lodged at the customs office of entry at least two hours prior to arrival at the customs office of entry in the customs territory of the Community.

4. In the case of road traffic, the entry summary declaration shall be lodged at the customs office of entry at least one hour prior to arrival at the customs office of entry in the customs territory of the Community.

5. Where the entry summary declaration is not lodged by use of a data processing technique, the time limit laid down in points (c) and (d) of paragraph 1, point (a) of paragraph 2 and in paragraphs 3 and 4 shall be at least four hours.

6. If the customs authorities’ computerised system is temporarily not functioning, the deadlines provided for in paragraphs 1 to 4 shall still apply.

Article 184b

The deadlines referred to in Article 184a(1) to (4) shall not apply in the following cases:

(a)

where international agreements between the Community and third countries provide for the recognition of security checks as referred to in Article 181d;

(b)

where international agreements between the Community and third countries require the exchange of declaration data by deadlines different from those referred to in Article 184a(1) to (4);

(c)

cases of force majeure.

Article 184c

Where it is found that goods presented to customs requiring the lodging of an entry summary declaration are not covered by such a declaration, the person who brought the goods, or who assumed responsibility for the carriage of the goods, into the customs territory of the Community shall lodge an entry summary declaration immediately.

If an economic operator lodges the entry summary declaration after the deadlines provided for in Article 184a, this shall not preclude the application of the penalties laid down in the national legislation.

Section 4

Risk analysis

Article 184d

1. The customs office of entry shall, upon receipt of the information contained in the entry summary declaration, carry out appropriate risk analysis, primarily for security and safety purposes, prior to arrival of the goods in the customs territory of the Community. Where the entry summary declaration has been lodged at a customs office other than the customs office of entry, and the particulars have been made available in accordance with Article 36a(2) and the second subparagraph of Article 36c(1) of the Code, the customs authorities at the customs office of entry shall either accept the results of any risk analysis carried out by that other customs office, or take into consideration the results when carrying out their own risk analysis.

2. The customs authorities shall complete the risk analysis prior to the arrival of the goods, provided that the relevant deadline set out in Article 184a is met.

However, for goods carried by the type of traffic referred to in point (a) of Article 184a(1), the customs authorities shall complete the risk analysis within 24 hours of the receipt of the entry summary declaration. Where that analysis provides reasonable grounds for the customs authorities to consider that the introduction of the goods into the customs territory of the Community would pose such a serious threat to the safety and security of the Community that immediate intervention is required, the customs authorities shall notify the person who lodged the entry summary declaration and, where different, the person responsible for the carriage of the goods into the customs territory of the Community, that the goods are not to be loaded. The notification shall be made within 24 hours of receipt of the entry summary declaration.

3. Where goods not covered by an entry summary declaration, in accordance with Article 181c(a) to (i), are brought into the customs territory of the Community, risk analysis shall be carried out upon presentation of the goods, on the basis of the customs declaration covering the goods.

4. Goods presented to customs may be released for a customs-approved treatment or use as soon as the risk analysis has been carried out and the results allow such a release.

Article 184e

Where a vessel or aircraft is to call at more than one port or airport in the customs territory of the Community, provided that it moves between those ports without calling at any port or airport outside the customs territory of the Community, an entry summary declaration shall be lodged at the first Community port or airport for all the goods carried. The customs authorities at this first port or airport of entry shall carry out the risk analysis for security and safety purposes for all the goods carried. Additional risk analysis may be carried out for those goods at the port or airport at which they are discharged.

Where a risk is identified, the customs office of the first port or airport of entry shall, dependent upon the level of threat, either take prohibitive action in the case of consignments identified as posing a threat of such a serious nature that immediate intervention is required, or pass on the results of the risk analysis to the subsequent ports or airports.

At subsequent ports or airports in the customs territory of the Community, an entry summary declaration shall only be required for goods to be discharged at that port or airport. The time limit laid down in Article 184a(1) and (2) shall not apply.

Article 184f

Where goods are loaded at a port in the customs territory of the Community for discharge at another Community port and are carried on a vessel moving between those ports without calling at any port outside the customs territory of the Community, an entry summary declaration shall only be required for those goods at the Community port at which they are to be discharged. The time limit laid down in Article 184a(1) shall not apply.’

12.

In Part I, Title VI, the heading of Chapter 3 is replaced by the following:

13.

Article 186 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 186

1. When goods are presented to customs in accordance with Article 40 of the Code, they shall be deemed to have been placed under temporary storage and the entry summary declaration shall be kept by the customs authorities for the purpose of verifying that the goods to which it relates are assigned a customs-approved treatment or use. For the purposes of Article 49 of the Code, the entry summary declaration shall be deemed to have been lodged on the date of presentation of the goods.

2. When a customs declaration has been lodged at the customs office of entry as an entry summary declaration, in accordance with Article 36c of the Code, the customs authorities shall accept the declaration immediately upon the presentation of the goods and the goods shall be placed directly under the declared procedure subject to the conditions laid down for that procedure.

3. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2, where non-Community goods moved from the customs office of departure under a transit procedure are presented to customs at an office of destination within the customs territory of the Community, the transit declaration intended for the customs authorities at the office of destination is deemed to be the entry summary declaration for the purposes of temporary storage.’

14.

In Article 187, ‘Article 44(2)’ is replaced by ‘Article 36b(3)’.

15.

The following Article 187a is added:

‘Article 187a

1. The customs authorities may grant permission to examine the goods under Article 42 of the Code to the person who, under the customs rules, may assign the goods a customs-approved treatment or use, at that person's oral request. The customs authorities may, however, consider, having regard to the circumstances, that a written request is required.

2. The customs authorities may authorise the taking of samples only at the written request of the person referred to in paragraph 1.

3. The written request may be paper-based or electronic. It shall be signed or authenticated by the person concerned and lodged with the competent customs authorities. It shall include the following particulars:

(a)

name and address of the applicant;

(b)

location of the goods;

(c)

reference to one of the following:

(i)

the entry summary declaration;

(ii)

the previous customs procedure;

(iii)

the means of transport;

(d)

all other particulars necessary for identifying the goods.

4. The customs authorities shall communicate their decision to the person concerned. Where the request is for the taking of samples, the decision shall specify the quantity of goods to be taken.

5. Examination of goods and the taking of samples shall be carried out under the supervision of the customs authorities, which shall specify the procedures to be followed.

The person concerned shall bear all risks and costs related to the examination, taking of samples and analysis of the goods.

6. The samples taken shall be subject to formalities with a view to assigning them a customs-approved treatment or use. Where examination of the samples results in their destruction or irretrievable loss, no customs debt shall be deemed to have been incurred.

Any waste or scrap resulting from the examination shall be assigned a customs-approved treatment or use prescribed for non-Community goods.’

16.

In Part I, Title VI, the heading of Chapter 4 is replaced by the following:

17.

Article 201 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 201

1. The customs declaration shall be lodged at one of the following customs offices:

(a)

the customs office responsible for the place where the goods were or are to be presented to customs in accordance with the customs rules;

(b)

the customs office responsible for supervising the place where the exporter is established or where the goods are packed or loaded for export shipment, except in cases provided for in Articles 789, 790, 791 and 794.

The customs declaration may be lodged as soon as the goods are presented or available to the customs authorities for control.

2. The customs authorities may allow the customs declaration to be lodged before the declarant is in a position to present the goods, or make them available for control, at the customs office where the customs declaration is lodged or at another customs office or place designated by the customs authorities.

The customs authorities may set a time limit, to be determined according to the circumstances, within which the goods shall be presented or made available. If the goods are not presented or made available within this time limit, the customs declaration shall be deemed not to have been lodged.

The customs declaration may be accepted only after the goods in question have been presented to the customs authorities or have, to the satisfaction of the customs authorities, been made available for control.’

18.

In Article 212(1), the following subparagraph is added:

‘Where a customs declaration is used as an entry summary declaration, in accordance with Article 36c(1) of the Code, that declaration shall, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure set out in Annex 37, include the particulars for an entry summary declaration set out in Annex 30A.’

19.

In Article 216, the following paragraph is added:

‘Where a customs declaration is required for goods to be brought out of the customs territory of the Community, in accordance with Article 182b of the Code, that declaration shall, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure set out Annex 37, include the particulars for an exit summary declaration set out in Annex 30A.’

20.

In Article 251(2), point (b) is replaced by the following:

‘(b)

in the case of other goods:

(i)

the customs office of export has been informed, in accordance with Article 792a, that the goods declared have not left the customs territory of the Community;

(ii)

after a period of 90 days from the date of release of the goods for export, the goods have not left the customs territory of the Community, or sufficient evidence of such export cannot be provided in accordance with Article 792b(2).’

21.

Article 254 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 254

If the declarant so requests, the customs authorities may accept declarations for release for free circulation which do not contain all the particulars set out in Annex 37.

However, those declarations shall contain at least the particulars for an incomplete declaration set out in Annex 30A.’

22.

In Article 260, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2. Such simplified declaration shall contain at least the particulars for a simplified import declaration set out in Annex 30A.’

23.

In Article 261, the following paragraph 4 is added:

‘4. Where the person concerned holds an AEO certificate referred to in point (a) or (c) of Article 14a(1), the customs authorities in all Member States shall examine only whether the authorised economic operator declares goods for release for free circulation only occasionally. All other requirements set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article shall be deemed to be met.’

24.

In Article 262, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. The authorisation referred to in Article 260 shall contain the following particulars:

(a)

the customs office(s) competent to accept simplified declarations;

(b)

the goods to which it applies; and

(c)

a reference to the guarantee to be provided by the person concerned to cover any customs debt which may arise.

It shall also specify the form and content of the supplementary declarations, and shall set the time-limits within which they must be lodged with the customs authority designated for this purpose.’

25.

In Article 264, the following paragraph 3 is added:

‘3. Where the person concerned holds an AEO certificate referred to in point (a) or (c) of Article 14a(1), the customs authorities in all Member States shall examine only whether the authorised economic operator declares goods for release for free circulation only occasionally. All other requirements set out in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be deemed to be met.’

26.

In Article 266, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

‘3. The entry in the records referred to in points (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 1 may be replaced by any other formality offering similar guarantees requested by the customs authorities. This entry shall indicate the date on which it is made and contain at least the particulars for a declaration under the local clearance procedure set out in Annex 30A.’

27.

In Article 268, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. If the declarant so requests the customs office of entry may accept declarations for the customs warehousing procedure which do not contain all the particulars set out in Annex 37.

However, those declarations shall contain at least the particulars for an incomplete declaration set out in Annex 30A.’

28.

In Article 270, the following paragraph 5 is added:

‘5. Where the person concerned holds an AEO certificate referred to in point (a) or (c) of Article 14a(1), the customs authorities in all Member States shall examine only whether the authorised economic operator enters the goods for the procedure only occasionally. All other requirements set out in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall be deemed to be met.’

29.

Article 271 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 271

The authorisation referred to in Article 269(1) shall lay down the specific rules for the operation of the procedure, including the customs office(s) of entry for the procedure.

It shall not be necessary to provide a supplementary declaration.’

30.

In Article 275, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. If the declarant so requests the customs office of entry may accept declarations for placing goods under a customs procedure with economic impact other than outward processing or customs warehousing which do not contain all the particulars set out in Annex 37 or which are not accompanied by certain documents referred to in Article 220.

However, those declarations shall contain at least the particulars for an incomplete declaration set out in Annex 30A.’

31.

Article 279 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 279

1. The formalities to be carried out at the customs office of export as provided for in Article 792 may be simplified in accordance with this Chapter.

2. Articles 792 (4), 792a, 792b, 793 to 793c and, where appropriate, Articles 796a to 796e, shall apply to this Chapter.’

32.

Articles 280 and 281 are replaced by the following:

‘Article 280

1. If the declarant so requests, the customs office of export may accept export declarations which do not contain all the particulars set out in Annex 37.

However, those declarations shall contain at least the particulars for an incomplete declaration set out in Annex 30A.

Where the goods are liable for export duties or subject to any other measures provided for under the common agricultural policy, the export declarations shall contain all the information required for the application of such duties or measures.

2. Articles 255 to 259 shall apply mutatis mutandis to export declarations.

Article 281

1. Where Article 789 applies, the supplementary declaration may be lodged at the customs office responsible for the place where the exporter is established.

2. Where the subcontractor is established in a Member State other than that where the exporter is established, paragraph 1 shall only apply where the required data is exchanged electronically in accordance with Article 4d.

3. The incomplete export declaration shall specify the customs office where the supplementary declaration shall be lodged. The customs office which receives the incomplete export declaration shall communicate the particulars of the incomplete export declaration to the customs office where the supplementary declaration is to be lodged as provided for in paragraph 1.

4. In the cases referred to in paragraph 2, the customs office which has received the supplementary declaration shall immediately communicate the particulars of the supplementary declaration to the customs office where the incomplete export declaration has been lodged.’

33.

In Article 282, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2. The simplified declaration shall contain at least the particulars for a simplified declaration set out in Annex 30A.

Articles 255 to 259 shall apply mutatis mutandis.’

34.

Article 285 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 285

1. The approved exporter shall, before removal of the goods from the places referred to in Article 283, fulfil the following obligations:

(a)

duly inform the customs office of export of such removal by lodging a simplified export declaration, as referred to in Article 282;

(b)

make available to the customs authorities any documents required for the export of the goods.

2. The approved exporter may lodge a complete export declaration in place of the simplified export declaration. In this case, the requirement for a supplementary declaration, laid down in Article 76(2) of the Code, shall be waived.’

35.

The following Article 285a is inserted:

‘Article 285a

1. The customs authorities may exempt the approved exporter from the requirement to lodge a simplified export declaration at the customs office of export for each removal of goods. This exemption shall be granted only if the approved exporter fulfils the following conditions:

(a)

the approved exporter informs the customs office of export of each removal, in the manner and form specified by that office;

(b)

the approved exporter supplies, or makes available, to the customs authorities all information they consider necessary for effective risk analysis before the removal of the goods from the places referred to in Article 283;

(c)

the approved exporter enters the goods in his records.

The entry referred to in point (c) of the first subparagraph may be replaced by any other formality, required by the customs authorities, which offers similar guarantees. This entry shall indicate the date on which it is made and the particulars necessary for the identification of the goods.

2. In certain particular circumstances justified by the nature of the goods in question and the rapid turnover of export operations, the customs authorities may, until 30 June 2009, exempt the approved exporter from the requirements set out in points (a) and (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1, provided that he supplies the customs office of export with all the information it considers necessary to enable it to exercise its right to examine the goods, should the need arise, before the exit of the goods.

In this case, entry of the goods in the records of the approved exporter shall be equivalent to release.’

36.

The following Article 285b is inserted:

‘Article 285b

1. The information referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph of Article 285a(1) shall be given to the customs office of export by the deadlines provided for in Articles 592b and 592c.

2. The entry in the records referred to in point (c) of the first subparagraph of Article 285a(1) shall include the particulars for the local clearance procedure set out in Annex 30A.

3. The customs authorities shall ensure that the requirements of Articles 796a to 796e are met.’

37.

In Article 286, paragraphs 3 and 4 are replaced by the following:

‘3. Before the departure of the goods the approved exporter shall fulfil the following requirements:

(a)

carry out the procedures referred to in Article 285 or 285a;

(b)

indicate on any accompanying document or any other medium replacing it the following particulars:

(i)

the reference to the entry in his records;

(ii)

the date on which the entry referred to in point (i) was made;

(iii)

the number of the authorisation;

(iv)

the name of the issuing customs office.’

38.

In Article 287, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1. The authorisation referred to in Article 283 shall specify detailed rules for the operation of the procedure and in particular the following:

(a)

the goods to which it applies;

(b)

the way the conditions laid down in Article 285a(1) are to be fulfilled;

(c)

the way and the moment the goods are released;

(d)

the content of any accompanying document or medium replacing it and the means by which it is to be validated;

(e)

the procedure for presenting the supplementary declaration and the time limit within which it must be lodged.

Where Articles 796a to 796e apply, the release referred to in point (c) of the first subparagraph shall be granted in accordance with Article 796b.’

39.

In Article 288, paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2. The document or medium referred to in paragraph 1 shall contain at least the particulars set out in Annex 30A for the procedure to be used. This document or medium shall be accompanied by a request for export.

The customs authorities may authorise the replacement of this request by a global request under condition that the economic operator has provided the customs authorities with the information they consider necessary for effective risk analysis and the examination of the goods. The global request shall cover export operations to be carried out over a given period. The declarant shall refer to the authorisation on the document or medium used for export.’

40.

In Article 289, the following paragraph is added:

‘However, the declarant shall make available to the customs authorities the necessary information for effective risk analysis and the examination of the goods before the exit of these goods.’

41.

In Article 313b, the following paragraph 3a is inserted:

‘3a. Where the shipping company holds an AEO certificate referred to in point (a) or (c) of Article 14a(1), the customs authorities of the Member States concerned shall examine only whether the requirements in paragraph 3(c) and (d) of this Article are met. All other requirements set out in this Article shall be deemed to be met.’

42.

Article 367 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 367

This subsection shall not apply to the simplified procedures specific to the modes of transport referred to in Article 372(1)(g).’

43.

Article 368 is deleted.

44.

In Article 373, the following paragraph 3 is added:

‘3. Where the person concerned holds an AEO certificate referred to in point (a) or (c) of Article 14a(1), the requirements set out in paragraph 1(c) and 2(b) of this Article shall be deemed to be met.’

45.

In Article 454a, the following paragraph 5 is added;

‘5. Where the person concerned holds an AEO certificate referred to in point (a) or (c) of Article 14a(1), the requirements set out in point (c) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 2 of this Article and in Article 373(2)(b) shall be deemed to be met.’

46.

In Part II, the heading of Title IV is replaced by the following:

47.

In Part II, Title IV, the following Chapter 1 is inserted:

‘CHAPTER 1

General provisions for customs declarations

Article 592a

Articles 592b to 592f shall not apply to the following goods:

(a)

electrical energy;

(b)

goods leaving by pipeline;

(c)

letters, postcards, printed matter, including on electronic medium;

(d)

goods moved under the rules of the Universal Postal Union Convention;

(e)

goods covered by customs declarations made by any other act in accordance with Articles 231 and 233;

(f)

goods contained in travellers’ personal luggage;

(g)

goods for which an oral declaration is permitted in accordance with Articles 226, 227 and 229(2);

(h)

goods covered by ATA and CPD Carnets;

(i)

goods moved under cover of the form 302 provided for under the Convention between the Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty regarding the Status of their Forces, signed in London on 19 June 1951;

(j)

goods carried on board vessels of regular shipping services, duly certified in accordance with Article 313b.

Article 592b

1. Whenever goods leaving the customs territory of the Community are covered by a customs declaration, this customs declaration shall be lodged at the competent customs office by the following deadlines:

(a)

in the case of maritime traffic:

(i)

for containerised cargo, other than where point (iii) or (iv) applies, at least 24 hours before the goods are loaded onto the vessel on which they are to leave the customs territory of the Community;

(ii)

for bulk/break bulk cargo, at least four hours before leaving the port in the customs territory of the Community;

(iii)

for movement between the customs territory of the Community with the exception of the French overseas departments, the Azores, Madeira or the Canary Islands and Greenland, the Faeroe Islands, Ceuta, Melilla, Norway, Iceland, ports on the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean or all ports of Morocco, at least two hours before leaving the port in the customs territory of the Community;

(iv)

for movement, in cases other than those covered under point (iii), between the French overseas departments, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands and territories outside the customs territory of the Community, where the duration of the voyage is less than 24 hours, at least two hours before leaving the port in the customs territory of the Community.

(b)

in the case of air traffic, at least 30 minutes prior to departure from an airport in the customs territory of the Community;

(c)

in the case of rail and inland waters traffic, at least two hours prior to departure from the customs office of exit;

(d)

in the case of road traffic, at least one hour prior to departure from the customs office of exit;

(e)

in the case of suppliers of spare and repair parts, intended for incorporation in ships and aircraft for the purpose of their repair and maintenance, of motor fuels, lubricants and gas which are necessary for the operation of machines and apparatus used on board, and foodstuff used for consumption on board, at least 15 minutes prior to departure of the means of transport from the port or airport in the customs territory of the Community;

(f)

in cases where Regulation (EC) No 800/1999 applies, according to the rules of that Regulation.

2. Where the customs declaration is not lodged by use of data processing technique, the time limit laid down in points (a)(iii) and (iv), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of paragraph 1 shall be at least four hours.

3. If the customs authorities’ computerised system is temporarily not functioning, the deadlines provided for in paragraph 1 shall still apply.

Article 592c

1. In the case of inter-modal transportation, where goods are transferred from one means of transport to another for transport out of the customs territory of the Community, the time limit for submission of the declaration shall correspond to the time limit applicable to the means of transport leaving the customs territory of the Community, as specified in Article 592b.

2. In the case of combined transportation, where the active means of transport crossing the border is only transporting another active means of transport, the time limit for the lodging of the declaration shall correspond to the time limit applicable to the active means of transport crossing the border, as specified in Article 592b.

Article 592d

1. The deadlines laid down in Articles 592b and 592c shall not apply where international agreements between the Community and third countries require the exchange of customs declaration data by deadlines different from those referred to in those Articles.

2. The time limit shall not, in any event, be reduced below the period required for completion of risk analysis before the goods leave the customs territory of the Community.

Article 592e

1. The competent customs office shall, upon receipt of the customs declaration, carry out appropriate risk analysis and customs controls, prior to release of the goods for exportation.

2. Goods may be released as soon as the risk analysis has been carried out and the results allow such a release.

Article 592f

1. Where it is found that goods presented to customs are not covered by a customs declaration containing the particulars necessary for the exit summary declaration, the person who brings the goods, or who assumes responsibility for the carriage of the goods out of the customs territory of the Community, shall lodge a customs declaration or an exit summary declaration immediately.

2. If the declarant lodges a customs declaration after the deadlines provided for in Articles 592b and 592c, this shall not preclude application of penalties laid down in the national legislation.

Article 592g

Where goods covered by an exemption, under Article 592a(d) to (j), from the requirement to lodge a customs declaration by the time limits set out in Articles 592b and 592c, are brought out of the customs territory of the Community, risk analysis shall be carried out upon presentation of the goods, on the basis of the customs declaration covering these goods.’

48.

In Part II, Title IV, the heading of Chapter 1 is replaced by the following:

49.

In Part II, Title IV, Chapter 2, the following Article 787 is inserted:

‘Article 787

1. Export declarations shall comply with the provisions relating to structure and particulars set out in this Chapter, Articles 279 to 289, Annex 37 and Annex 30A. They shall be lodged at the competent customs office using a data-processing technique.

2. The customs authorities shall accept a paper-based export declaration made on a form corresponding to the specimen set out in Annexes 31 to 34, which shall contain the minimum list of data set out in Annex 37 and Annex 30A for the export procedure, only in one of the following circumstances:

(a)

the customs authorities’ computerised system is not functioning;

(b)

the electronic application of the person lodging the export declaration is not functioning.

3. The customs authorities shall establish, in agreement with each other, the procedure to be followed in the cases referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2.

4. The use of a paper-based export declaration referred to in paragraph 2(b) shall be subject to the approval of the customs authorities.

5. Where the goods are exported by travellers who have no direct access to the customs’ computerised system and so have no means of lodging the export declaration using a data processing technique at the office of export, the customs authorities shall authorise the traveller to use a paper-based customs declaration made on a form corresponding to the specimen set out in Annexes 31 to 34 and containing the minimum list of data set out in Annex 37 and Annex 30A for the export procedure.

6. In the cases referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5 of this Article, the customs authorities shall ensure that the requirements of Articles 796a to 796e are met.’

50.

In Article 791, paragraph 2 is deleted.

51.

Article 792 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 792

1. Without prejudice to Article 207, where the export declaration is made on the basis of the single administrative document, Copies 1, 2 and 3 shall be used. The customs office where the export declaration has been lodged shall stamp Box A and, where appropriate, complete Box D.

On granting release of the goods, this customs office shall retain Copy 1, send Copy 2 to the statistical office of the Member State of the customs office of export and, where Articles 796a to 796e do not apply, return Copy 3 to the person concerned.

2. Where the export declaration is processed at the customs office of export using a data processing technique, Copy 3 of the single administrative document may be replaced by an accompanying document printed out from the customs authority's computerised system. This document shall contain at least the data required for the export accompanying document referred to in Article 796a.

The customs authorities may authorise the declarant to print out the accompanying document from his computerised system.

3. When the entire export operation is carried out on the territory of one Member State, that Member State may waive the use of Copy 3 of the single administrative document or the export accompanying document, provided that the requirements of Article 182b(2) of the Code are met.

4. Without prejudice to Articles 796a to 796e, where the customs rules provide for another document to replace Copy 3 of the single administrative document, the provisions of this Chapter shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to that other document.’

52.

The following Articles 792a and 792b are inserted:

‘Article 792a

1. Where goods released for export do not leave the customs territory of the Community, the exporter or the declarant shall immediately inform the customs office of export. Where applicable, Copy 3 of the single administrative document shall be returned to that office. The customs office of export shall invalidate the export declaration.

2. Where, in the cases referred to in Article 793a(6) or Article 793b, a change in the transport contract has the effect of terminating inside the customs territory of the Community a transport operation which should have terminated outside it, the companies or authorities in question may only carry out the amended contract with the agreement of the customs office referred to in point (b) of the second subparagraph of Article 793(2) or, in the case of a transit operation, the office of departure. Copy 3 of the export declaration shall be returned to the customs office of export and the declaration shall be invalidated by that office.

Article 792b

1. The customs office of export may ask the exporter or declarant to provide evidence that the goods have left the customs territory of the Community.

2. Where, after a period of 90 days from the date of release of the goods for export, the goods have not left the customs territory of the Community, or sufficient evidence of such export cannot be provided, the export declaration shall be invalidated. The customs office of export shall inform the exporter or declarant accordingly.’

53.

Article 793 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 793

1. Copy 3 of the single administrative document or the accompanying document referred to in Article 792(2) and the goods released for export shall be presented together to customs at the customs office of exit.

2. The customs office of exit shall be the last customs office before the goods leave the customs territory of the Community.

By way of derogation from the first subparagraph, the customs office of exit shall be one of the following:

(a)

in the case of goods leaving by pipeline and of electrical energy, the office designated by the Member State where the exporter is established;

(b)

the customs office competent for the place where the goods are taken over under a single transport contract for transport of the goods out of the customs territory of the Community by the railway companies, the postal authorities, the airlines or the shipping companies, provided that the following conditions are met:

(i)

the goods are to leave the customs territory of the Community by rail, post, air or sea;

(ii)

the declarant or his representative requests that the formalities referred to in Article 793a(2), or in Article 796e(1), be carried out at that office.’

54.

The following Articles 793a, 793b and 793c are inserted:

‘Article 793a

1. The customs office of exit shall carry out appropriate risk-based controls prior to the exit of the goods from the customs territory of the Community, primarily to ensure that the goods presented correspond to those declared. The customs office of exit shall supervise the physical exit of the goods.

Where the export declaration has been lodged at an office other than the customs office of exit, and the particulars have been transmitted in accordance with Article 182b(2) of the Code, the customs office of exit may take account of the results of any control carried out by that other office.

2. Where the declarant enters “RET-EXP” in Box 44, or the code 30400, or otherwise indicates his wish to have Copy 3 returned to him, the customs office of exit shall certify the physical exit of the goods by means of an endorsement on the back of that copy.

It shall give that copy to the person who presented it or to an intermediary specified in it and established in the district of the customs office of exit, for the purposes of returning it to the declarant.

The endorsement shall take the form of a stamp showing the name of the customs office of exit and the date of exit of the goods.

3. In the case of split exportation via the same customs office of exit, the endorsement shall be given only for those goods which are actually exported.

In the case of split exportation via several different customs offices of exit, the customs office of export, or the customs office of exit where the original of Copy 3 is presented shall, upon receiving a duly substantiated request, certify a copy of Copy 3 for each part of the goods, with a view to it being presented to another customs office of exit.

In the cases referred to in the first and second subparagraph, the original of Copy 3 shall be annotated accordingly.

4. When the entire export operation is carried out on the territory of one Member State, that Member State may provide for the non-endorsement of Copy 3. In this case the Copy 3 shall not be returned to the declarant.

5. Where the customs office of exit establishes that goods are missing, it shall annotate the copy of the export declaration presented and inform the customs office of export.

Where the customs office of exit establishes that there are goods in excess, it shall refuse exit to these goods until the export formalities have been completed.

When the customs office of exit establishes a discrepancy in the nature of the goods, it shall refuse exit to these goods until the export formalities have been completed, and shall also inform the customs office of export.

6. In the cases referred to in point (b) of the second subparagraph of Article 793(2), the customs office of exit shall endorse Copy 3 of the export declaration in accordance with Article 793a(2) after making the endorsement “Export” on the transport document and affixing its stamp. Reference shall be made to the transport document on Copy 3 of the export declaration and vice versa.

Where, in the case of regular shipping lines or direct transport or flights to destinations outside the customs territory of the Community, the operators are able to guarantee the regularity of the operations, the endorsement “Export” and the affixing of the stamp to the transport document shall not be required.

Article 793b

1. In the case of goods brought out of the customs territory of the Community or sent to a customs office of exit under a transit procedure, the office of departure shall endorse Copy 3 in accordance with Article 793a(2) and return it to the person referred to in that Article.

Where an accompanying document is required, it shall also be endorsed with the word “Export”. Reference shall be made to the accompanying document on Copy 3 of the export declaration and vice versa.

The first and second subparagraphs of this Article shall not apply where presentation of the goods at the office of departure as referred to in Article 419(4) and (7) and Article 434(6) and (9) is dispensed with.

2. The endorsement and return of the Copy 3 referred to in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article shall also apply to goods released for export which are not placed under a transit procedure but are sent to a customs office of exit included in a single manifest transit declaration provided for by Article 445 or Article 448 and identified in accordance with Article 445(3)(e) or Article 448(3)(e).

3. The customs office of exit shall control the physical exit of the goods.

Article 793c

1. Where goods under excise duty suspension arrangements are brought out of the customs territory of the Community under cover of the administrative accompanying document provided for by Regulation (EEC) No 2719/92, the customs office of export shall endorse Copy 3 of the export declaration in accordance with Article 793a(2) and return it to the declarant after making the endorsement “Export” and affixing the stamp referred to in that Article on all copies of the administrative accompanying document.

Reference shall be made to the administrative accompanying document on Copy 3 of the export declaration and vice versa.

2. The customs office of exit shall supervise the physical exit of the goods and send back the copy of the administrative accompanying document in accordance with Article 19(4) of Council Directive 92/12/EEC.

In cases provided for in Article 793a(5), the customs office of exit shall annotate the administrative accompanying document accordingly.’

55.

Article 795 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 795

1. Where goods have left the customs territory of the Community without an export declaration, such declaration shall be lodged retrospectively by the exporter at the customs office competent for the place where he is established.

Article 790 shall apply.

Acceptance of this declaration by the customs authorities shall be subject to provision by the exporter of one of the following:

(a)

reference to the exit summary declaration;

(b)

sufficient evidence concerning the nature and quantity of the goods, and the circumstances under which they left the customs territory of the Community.

That office shall also, if the declarant so requests, provide the exit certification referred to in Article 793a(2) or in Article 796e(1).

2. Retrospective acceptance of the export declaration by the customs authorities shall not preclude the application of either of the following:

(a)

penalties under national legislation;

(b)

the consequences of measures under the common agricultural or commercial policy.’

56.

Article 796 is deleted.

57.

In Part II, Title IV, the following Chapter 3 is inserted:

‘CHAPTER 3

Exchange of export data between customs authorities using information technology and computer networks

Article 796a

1. The customs office of export shall authorise release of the goods by issuing the export accompanying document to the declarant. The export accompanying document shall correspond to the specimen and notes in Annex 45c.

2. Where an export consignment consists of more than one item, the export accompanying document shall be supplemented by a list of items corresponding to the specimen and notes in Annex 45d. It shall form an integral part of the export accompanying document.

3. Where authorised, the export accompanying document may be printed out from the computerised system of the declarant.

Article 796b

1. On release of the goods, the customs office of export shall transmit particulars of the export movement to the declared customs office of exit using the “Anticipated export record” message. This message shall be based on data derived from the export declaration and supplemented as appropriate by the customs authorities.

2. Where goods are to be moved to more than one office of exit as more than one consignment, each individual consignment shall be covered by an individual “Anticipated export record” message and an individual export accompanying document.

Article 796c

The customs authorities may require notification of the arrival of the goods at the customs office of exit to be communicated to them electronically. In this case it shall not be necessary for the export accompanying document be physically presented to the customs authorities but shall be retained by the declarant.

Such notification shall contain the movement reference number referred to in Annex 45c.

Article 796d

1. The customs office of exit shall satisfy itself that the goods presented correspond to those declared.

Any examination of the goods shall be carried out by the customs office of exit using the “Anticipated export record” message received from the customs office of export as a basis for such examination.

The customs office of exit shall supervise the physical exit of the goods from the customs territory of the Community.

2. The customs office of exit shall forward the “Exit results” message to the customs office of export at the latest on the working day following the day the goods leave the customs territory of the Community. In cases justified by special circumstances the customs office of exit may forward that message at a later date.

3. In the case of split exportation, where goods covered by one “Anticipated export record” message are moved to a customs office of exit as one consignment but subsequently exit the customs territory of the Community from that office of exit as more than one consignment, the customs office of exit shall control the physical exit of the goods and send the “Exit results” message only when all of the goods have left the customs territory of the Community.

In exceptional circumstances, where goods covered by one “Anticipated export record” message are moved to a customs office of exit as one consignment but subsequently exit the customs territory of the Community as more than one consignment and through more than one customs office of exit, the customs office of exit where the consignment was first presented shall, upon receiving a duly substantiated request, certify a copy of the export accompanying document for each part of the goods.

This certification shall only be granted by the customs authorities if the data contained in the export accompanying document corresponds to the data in the “Anticipated export record” message.

The relevant copy of the export accompanying document and the goods shall be presented together to the customs office of exit concerned. Each customs office of exit shall endorse the copy of the export accompanying document with the particulars referred to in Article 793a(2) and return it to the customs office of exit where the consignment was first presented. This office shall send the “Exit results” message only when all of the goods have left the customs territory of the Community.

Article 796e

1. Upon receipt of the “Exit results” message referred to in Article 796d(2), the customs office of export shall certify the physical exit of the goods for the declarant, by use of the “Export notification” message or in the form specified by that office for that purpose.

2. Where the customs office of export is informed by the exporter or the declarant, in accordance with Article 792a, that goods released for export have not left and are not to leave the customs territory of the Community, or the declaration is to be invalidated pursuant to Article 792b(2), the customs office of export shall immediately invalidate the export declaration and inform the declared customs office of exit of the invalidation, by use of the “Export cancellation notification” message.’

58.

In Part II, Title IV, the heading of Chapter 2 is replaced by the following:

59.

In Article 806, the following point (h) is added:

‘(h)

any additional particulars required for an exit summary declaration, set out in Annex 30A, when required under Article 182c of the Code.’

60.

Articles 811 and 814 are deleted.

61.

In Part II, Title V, Chapter 2, the following heading is inserted before Article 841:

62.

Article 841 is replaced by the following:

‘Article 841

1. Where re-exportation is subject to a customs declaration Articles 787 to 796e shall apply mutatis mutandis, without prejudice to particular provisions which may apply when the customs procedure with economic impact preceding re-exportation of the goods is discharged.

2. Where an ATA carnet is issued for re-exportation of goods under temporary importation, the customs declaration may be lodged at a customs office other than that referred to in Article 161(5) of the Code.’

63.

The following Article 841a is inserted:

‘Article 841a

Where re-exportation is not subject to a customs declaration, an exit summary declaration shall be lodged in accordance with Articles 842a to 842e.

Provided that an entry summary declaration is lodged at the time when the goods are brought into the customs territory of the Community, an exit summary declaration shall not be required for re-exportation of non-Community goods in one of the following cases:

(a)

the goods are not unloaded from the means of transport which carried them into the customs territory of the Community;

(b)

the goods are transhipped at the place where they are unloaded from the means of transport which carried them into the customs territory of the Community.

The short term storage of goods in connection with such transhipment shall be considered to be an integral part of the transhipment. The control measures shall take account of the special nature of the situation.’

64.

The following heading is inserted before Article 842:

65.

In Part II, Title VI, the following Chapter 1 is inserted:

‘CHAPTER 1

Exit summary declaration

Article 842a

Where goods to be brought out of the customs territory of the Community are not covered by a customs declaration, a summary declaration, hereinafter referred to as “an exit summary declaration”, shall be lodged at the customs office of exit, as defined in Article 793(2) of this Regulation, in accordance with Article 182c of the Code.

An exit summary declaration shall not be required in the following cases:

(a)

the cases listed in Article 592a(a) to (j);

(b)

where Community goods are loaded in the customs territory of the Community for discharge at another port or airport in the customs territory of the Community and are carried on a vessel or aircraft moving between those ports or airports without calling at any port or airport outside the customs territory of the Community;

(c)

goods entitled to relief pursuant to the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations of 18 April 1961, the Vienna Convention on consular relations of 24 April 1963 or other consular conventions, or the New York Convention of 16 December 1969 on special missions.

Article 842b

1. The exit summary declaration shall be made using a data processing technique. It shall contain the particulars for such declaration set out in Annex 30A and shall be completed in accordance with the explanatory note in that Annex.

The exit summary declaration shall be authenticated by the person making it.

2. Exit summary declarations which comply with the conditions set out in paragraph 1 shall be registered by the customs authorities immediately upon their receipt.

Article 199(1) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

3. The customs authorities shall allow the lodging of a paper-based exit summary declaration only in one of the following circumstances:

(a)

the customs authorities’ computerised system is not functioning;

(b)

the electronic application of the person lodging the exit summary declaration is not functioning.

Such paper-based summary declarations shall be accompanied, where necessary, by loading lists or other commercial documents, and shall contain the information required for summary declarations in Annex 30A.

4. The customs authorities shall establish, in agreement with each other, the procedure to be followed in the cases referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 3.

5. The use of a paper-based exit summary declaration referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 3 shall be subject to the approval of the customs authorities.

The paper-based exit summary declaration shall be signed by the person making it.

Article 842c

1. In the case of inter-modal transportation, where goods are transferred from one means of transport to another for transport out of the customs territory of the Community, the time limit for lodging the exit summary declaration shall correspond to the time limit applicable to the means of transport leaving the customs territory of the Community, as specified in Article 842d(1).

2. In the case of combined transportation, where the active means of transport crossing the border is only transporting another active means of transport, the obligation to lodge the exit summary declaration shall lie with the operator of that other means of transport.

The time limit for lodging the declaration shall correspond to the time limit applicable to the active means of transport crossing the border, as specified in Article 842d(1).

Article 842d

1. The exit summary declaration shall be lodged at the office of exit by the relevant time limit specified in Article 592b(1).

Article 592b(2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

2. The competent customs office shall, upon lodgement of the exit summary declaration, carry out appropriate risk based controls, primarily for safety and security purposes, prior to release of the goods for exit from the Community, within a period corresponding to that between the deadline for lodgement of the declaration laid down in Article 592b for the particular type of traffic and the loading or departure of the goods.

Where goods covered by one of the exemptions laid down in Article 592a(a) to (i) from the requirement for an exit summary declaration are brought out of the customs territory of the Community, risk analysis shall be carried out upon presentation of the goods, on the basis of the documentation or other information covering the goods.

Goods may be released for exit as soon as the risk analysis has been carried out.

3. Where it is found that goods intended to be brought out of the customs territory of the Community and for which an exit summary declaration is required are not covered by such a declaration, the person who brings the goods, or who assumes responsibility for the carriage of the goods, out of the customs territory of the Community shall lodge an exit summary declaration immediately.

If the person lodges an exit summary declaration after the deadlines specified in Articles 592b and 592c, this shall not preclude application of penalties laid down in the national legislation.

4. Where, on the basis of the checks which they have carried out, the customs authorities are unable to grant release of the goods for exit, the competent customs office shall notify the person who lodged the exit summary declaration and, where different, the person responsible for the carriage of the goods out of the customs territory of the Community, that the goods are not to be released.

Such notification shall be given within a reasonable time after risk analysis has been finalised for these goods.

Article 842e

1. The deadlines referred to in Article 842d(1) shall not apply where international agreements between the Community and third countries require the exchange of customs declaration data by deadlines different from those referred to in that Article.

2. The time limit shall not, in any event, be reduced below the period required for completion of the risk analysis before the goods leave the customs territory of the Community.’

66.

The following heading is inserted before Article 843:

67.

In Article 843(1), the word ‘Title’ is replaced by the word ‘chapter’.

68.

The following Article 865a is inserted:

‘Article 865a

Where the entry summary declaration has been amended and the behaviour of the person concerned does not suggest any fraudulent dealing, no customs debt shall be incurred on the basis of Article 202 of the Code as a result of the unlawful introduction of the goods which, prior to the amendment of the declaration, were not correctly declared.’

69.

In Article 915, the third subparagraph is deleted.

70.

Annex 1C as set out in Annex I to this Regulation is inserted.

71.

Annex 1D as set out in Annex II to this Regulation is inserted.

72.

Annex 30A as set out in Annex III to this Regulation is inserted.

73.

Annex 45c as set out in Annex IV of this Regulation is inserted.

74.

Annex 45d as set out in Annex V of this Regulation is inserted.

Article 2

During a transitional period of 24 months starting from 1 January 2008, the period for issuing the AEO certificate referred to in the first sentence of Article 14o(2) shall be extended to 300 calendar days, the period for communication of the application referred to in Article 14l(1) shall be extended to 10 working days, the period for information referred to in Article 14l(2) shall be extended to 70 calendar days, and the period for consultation referred to in Article 14m(1) shall be extended to 120 calendar days.

1. This Regulation shall enter into force on the seventh day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

2. Point (3), except insofar as it relates to paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 14b, and points (23), (25), (28), (41), (44), (45), (70) and (71) of Article 1 shall apply from 1 January 2008.

3. Point (3), insofar as it relates to paragraphs 2 and 3 of Article 14b, and points (4) to (16), (18), (19), (21), (22), (24), (26), (27), (29), (30), (32), (33), (36), (39), (46) to (49), (55), (59), (60), (63), (65) to (68), (72) of Article 1 shall apply from 1 July 2009.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 18 December 2006.

For the Commission

László KOVÁCS

Member of the Commission

(1) OJ L 302, 19.10.1992, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 648/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 117, 4.5.2005, p. 13).

(2) OJ L 253, 11.10.1993, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 402/2006 (OJ L 70, 9.3.2006, p. 35).

(3) OJ L 355, 30.12.2002, p. 1.

(4) OJ L 89, 5.4.2003, p. 9.

ANNEX I

‘ANNEX 1C

Explanatory notes:

1. Applicant: Enter the full name of the applicant economic operator.

2. Legal status: Enter the legal status as mentioned in the document of establishment.

3. Date of establishment: Enter — with numbers — the day, month and year of establishment.

4. Address of establishment: Enter the full address of the place where your entity was established, including the country.

5. Location of main place of business: Enter the full address of the place of your business where the main activities are carried out.

6. Contact person: Indicate the full name, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail address of the contact person designated by you within your company to be contacted by the customs authorities when examining the application.

7. Correspondence address: Fill in only in case it differs from your address of establishment.

8, 9 and 10. VAT, Trader Identification and Legal registration numbers: Enter the required numbers.

The Trader Identification Number(s) is(are) the identification number(s) registered by the customs authority(ies).

The Legal registration number is the registration number given by the company registration office.

If these numbers are the same, enter only the VAT ID number.

If the applicant has no Trader Identification Number because e.g. in the applicant's Member State this number does not exist, leave the box blank.

11. Requested type of certificate: Make a cross in the relevant box.

12. Economic sector of activity: Describe your activity.

13. Member States, where customs related activities are carried out: Enter the relevant ISO alpha-2 country code(s).

14. Border crossing information: Indicate the names of customs offices regularly used for border crossing.

15. Simplifications or facilitations already granted, certificates mentioned in Article 14k(4): In case of simplifications already granted, indicate the type of simplification, the relevant customs procedure, and the authorisation number. The relevant customs procedure shall be entered in the form of the codes used in the second or third subdivision of Box 1 of the single administrative document.

In case of facilitations already granted, indicate the number of the certificate.

In case the applicant is the holder of one or more certificates mentioned in Article 14k(4), indicate the type and the number of the certificate(s).

16, 17 and 18. Offices for documentations/main accounts: Enter the full addresses of the relevant offices. If the offices have the same address, fill in only Box 16.

19. Name, date and signature of the applicant:

Signature: the signatory should add his capacity. The signatory should always be the person who represents the applicant as a whole.

Name: name of the applicant and the stamp of the applicant.

Number of annexes: the applicant shall give the following general information:1.Overview of the principal owners/shareholders, stating names and addresses and their proportional interests. Overview of the members of the board of directors. Are owners known by the customs authorities for previous non-compliant behaviour?2.The person responsible in the applicant's administration for customs matters.3.Description of the economic activities of the applicant.4.Specification of the location details of the various sites of the applicant and brief description of the activities in each site. Specification of whether the applicant and each site acts within the supply chain in its own name and its own behalf, or acts in its own name and on behalf of another person, or acts in name of and on behalf of another person.5.Specification of whether the goods are bought from and/or supplied to companies which are affiliated with the applicant.6.Description of the internal structure of the organisation of the applicant. Please attach, if it exists, documentation on the functions/competencies for each department and/or function.7.The number of the employees in total and for each division.8.The names of the key office-holders (managing directors, divisional heads, accounting managers, head of customs division etc.). Description of the adopted routines in situations when the competent employee is not present, temporarily or permanently.9.The names and the position within the organisation of the applicant who have specific customs expertise. Assessment of the level of knowledge of these persons in regards of the use of IT technology in customs and commercial processes and general commercial matters.10.Agreement or disagreement with the publication of the information in the AEO certificate in the list of authorised economic operators referred to in Article 14x(4).

ANNEX II

‘ANNEX 1D

Explanatory notes:

Certificate number

The certificate number shall always begin with the ISO alpha-2 country code of the issuing Member State, followed by one of the following letters:

AEOC for AEO certificate — Customs simplifications

AEOS for AEO certificate — Security and safety

AEOF for AEO certificate — Customs simplifications/security and safety

The letters as described above should be followed by the national authorisation number.

1. Holder of the AEO certificate

The full name of the Holder shall be mentioned, as indicated in Box 1 of the Application form in Annex 1C, as well as the VAT ID number(s) as indicated in Box 8 of the Application form, if relevant the Trader Identification Number(s) as indicated in Box 9 of the Application form, and the Legal registration number as indicated in Box 10 of the Application form.

2. Issuing authority

Signature, the name of the Member State's customs administration and the stamp.

The name of the Member State’s customs administration can be mentioned on a regional level, if the customs administration organisational structure requires it.

Reference to the type of the certificate

Make a cross in the relevant box.

3. Date from which the certificate is effective

Indicate the day, the month and the year, in accordance with Article 14q(1).’

ANNEX III

‘ANNEX 30A

1. Introductory notes to the tables

Note 1. Generalities

1.1.

The summary declaration that must be lodged for goods entering or leaving the customs territory of the Community contains the information detailed in Tables 1 to 5 for each of the situations or modes of transport concerned.

1.2.

Tables 1 to 6 include all data elements necessary for the procedures and declarations concerned. They provide comprehensive views of the requirements necessary for the various procedures and declarations.

1.3.

The headings of the columns are self-explanatory and refer to these procedures and declarations. In case of temporary storage, data in the column “Entry summary declaration” of Table 1 shall be used.

1.4.

An “X” in a given cell of the tables indicates that the data element concerned is requested for the procedure or declaration described in the title of the relevant column at the declaration item of goods level. An “Y” in a given cell of the tables indicates that the data element concerned is requested for the procedure or declaration described in the title of the relevant column at declaration header level. A “Z” in a given cell of the tables indicates that the data element concerned is requested for the procedure or declaration described in the title of the relevant column at the conveyance report level. Any combination of these symbols “X”, “Y” and “Z” means that the data element concerned can be requested for the procedure or declaration described in the title of the relevant column at any of the levels concerned.

1.5.

The use within this annex of the words entry and exit summary declarations refer respectively to the summary declarations provided for under Articles 36a(1) and 182a(1) of the Code.

1.6.

The descriptions and notes contained in Section 4 in respect of entry and exit summary declarations and of simplified procedures apply to the data elements referred to in Tables 1 to 6.

Note 2. Customs declaration used as an entry summary declaration

2.1.

Where a customs declaration, as referred to in Article 62(1) of the Code, is used as a summary declaration, in accordance with Article 36c(1) of the Code, that declaration must, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure under Annex 37 or Annex 37A, include the particulars set out in column “Entry summary declaration” of Tables 1 to 4.

Where a customs declaration, as referred to in Article 76(1) of the Code, is used as a summary declaration, in accordance with Article 36c(1) of the Code, that declaration must, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure in Table 6, include the particulars set out in column “Entry summary declaration” of Tables 1 to 4.

2.2.

When Article 14b(3) applies and where a customs declaration, as referred to in Article 62(1) of the Code, is used as a summary declaration, in accordance with Article 36c(1) of the Code, that declaration must, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure under Annex 37 or Annex 37A, include the particulars set out in column “AEO Entry summary declaration” of Table 5.

When Article 14b(3) applies and where a customs declaration, as referred to in Article 76(1) of the Code, is used as a summary declaration, in accordance with Article 36c(1) of the Code, that declaration must, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure in Table 6, include the particulars set out in column “AEO Entry summary declaration” of Table 5.

Note 3. Customs declaration at export

3.1.

Where a customs declaration, as referred to in Article 62(1) of the Code, is required, in accordance with Article 182b of the Code, that declaration must, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure under Annex 37 or Annex 37A, include the particulars set out in column “Exit summary declaration” of Tables 1 and 2.

Where a customs declaration, as referred to in Article 76(1) of the Code, is required, in accordance with Article 182b of the Code, that declaration must, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure in Table 6, include the particulars set out in column “Exit summary declaration” of Tables 1 and 2.

3.2.

When Article 14b(3) applies and where a customs declaration, as referred to in Article 62(1) of the Code, is required, in accordance with Article 182b of the Code, that declaration must, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure under Annex 37 or Annex 37A, include the particulars set out in column “AEO Exit summary declaration” of Table 5.

When Article 14b (3) applies and where a customs declaration, as referred to in Article 76(1) of the Code, is required, in accordance with Article 182b of the Code, that declaration must, in addition to the particulars required for the specific procedure in Table 6, include the particulars set out in column “AEO Exit summary declaration” of Table 5.

Note 4. Other specific circumstances in respect of exit and entry summary declarations and particular types of goods traffic. Note to Tables 2 to 4

4.1.

The columns “Exit summary declaration — postal and express consignments” and “Entry summary declaration — postal and express consignments” of Table 2 cover the required data which may be provided electronically to Customs authorities for risk-analysis purposes prior to departure or arrival of postal and express consignments.

4.2.

For the purpose of this annex, a postal consignment means an individual item of a maximum weight of 50 kg, conveyed via the postal system in accordance with the rules of the Universal Postal Union Convention, when the goods are carried by or on behalf of holders of rights and obligations under such rules.

4.3.