Customs Union: improved anti-fraud measures - Main contents

Gozi: "The exchange of information is the most important tool in fighting against customs frauds"

The Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) endorsed an agreement with the European Parliament aimed at improving the functioning of the antifraud system in the customs field. The objective of updating the current rules is to strengthen cooperation between customs authorities in order to enhance the supply chain security at EU and national levels. This will better protect the financial interests of the EU and its member states against customs fraud and other breaches of customs and agriculture legislation.

The Italian State Secretary for European Affairs, Sandro Gozi, made the following statement: “The Italian Presidency welcomes the political agreement reached today on the proposed regulation on customs mutual administrative assistance. The exchange of information is the most important tool for national customs authorities and for the Commission to accomplish their role in fighting against

customs frauds, thus protecting the EU financial interests and enhancing the security and safety of the international supply chain. The new regulation will make more effective such exchange of

information, notably through the creation of new databases that are constantly updated with data related to the movement of goods, which is extremely important for the detection of possible new patterns of frauds. Negotiations leading to today's agreement were complex but I am convinced that the result achieved deserved the efforts made by the Council and the Parliament".

For more information: Council of the EU