A broad discussion of the role of the NCTS, AEO, and єЧерга programs in speeding up and simplifying border crossing with the participation of EU4PFM project experts took place

Experts of the EU4PFM project participated in the expert discussion “Do NCTS, AEO, and єЧерга ensure fast and easy border crossing?”, which took place on July 27, 2023.

The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the State Customs Service, the EU4PFM and RST projects of the Ministry of Finance, the Association of Customs Brokers, and several other organizations.

Particular attention was paid to the description of the latest innovations in these programs, in particular regarding the transition to the 5th phase of NCTS. Advantages in the direction of AEO were also described, for example, in the case of the introduction of separate lines at checkpoints that should speed up traffic. Experts also discussed the possibility of signing agreements on international recognition in the future, which will facilitate faster movement across the border. It was noted that the agreement on international recognition should be preceded by an assessment of the authorization institute in Ukraine for compliance with the EU concept.

The participants noted the interest of Ukrainian businesses in the application of the NCTS and AEO programs and predicted the expansion of domestic entrepreneurs joining them.

EU4PFM expert Kostyantyn Bilchuk noted the excellent cooperation between the teams of the Ministry of Finance, EU4PFM, and RST at the stage of joining the Convention on the joint transit procedure. At the same level, cooperation between the teams continues even now.

According to him, last year, when Ukraine was joining the Conventions and NCTS was being implemented, which is a rather complex and voluminous task, the European Commission and DG TAXUD, setting tasks and checking their implementation, noted that the implementation team is one of the key indicators of the country’s readiness both for joining the Convention on the common transit procedure and for implementing the transition to the application of NCTS phase 5 in 2023.

Kostyantyn Bilchuk also paid attention to ensuring the identification of goods moving in transit by sealing them. From the point of view of European colleagues, such transit movements are safer and, accordingly, their control can be carried out at internal customs on the territory of the EU, and not directly at the external border of the EU. This should speed up the passage of checkpoints at the border. Kostyantyn also reminded that T1 transit declarations allow submitting security data provided by customs legislation for importing goods into the territory of both the EU and Ukraine. A T1 transit declaration with security data eliminates the need to submit a separate Entry Summary Declaration or a general arrival declaration.

EU4PFM expert Oleksiy Vorobyov noted that amendments are currently being prepared to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, which regulates the granting of AEO authorizations and other authorizations for customs simplifications. He noted that thanks to the EU4PFM project, changes are being developed with the involvement of European international experts, primarily those who represent countries that have passed the path from a post-Soviet country to a member of the European Union. And it is very useful that there is an opportunity to gain practical knowledge and understanding of how the relevant processes were developed in the EU, and that Ukraine, as a country that introduced the same institution, can learn a lot from this. This helps to make important decisions, according to the EU4PFM expert.