Representatives of business and the State Customs Service discussed the practical aspects of granting authorizations to enterprises in the context of the transition to the European system of customs simplifications

A round table on the practical implementation of measures to provide enterprises with authorizations for the application of simplifications, organized by the State Customs Service for business, took place on August 10. It was held on the recommendation of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy. More than 120 business representatives participated online, and about 20 attended the event at the State Customs Service.

The event was held in the context of the repeal of certain provisions of the Customs Code of Ukraine on the possibility of customs clearance of goods without presenting them to customs authorities on November 7, 2023. Therefore, during the event, they focused in detail, in particular, on the issues of granting enterprises the status of AEO, authorizations for the application of simplifications, and issues regarding transit simplifications, as well as novelties introduced by Law 3229-IX.

Acting head of the State Customs Service, Serhiy Zvyagintsev, noted that such meetings with the business community will allow to find common solutions to problematic issues that arise during the implementation of new tools for business, provided for by the Customs Code of Ukraine and the Convention on a Common Transit Procedure.

“The European simplification system provides for prior authorization of enterprises. It is the approach that allows the customs authorities to fulfill the key tasks set by the EU customs code: (a) protection of the country’s financial interests, (b) protection of the country from illegal trade with the support of legitimate business activity; (c) ensuring the security and protection of the country and its inhabitants – and, at the same time, maintaining the balance between customs control and promoting legal trade,” Vytenis Alisauskas, EU4PFM Key International Expert on customs noted during his speech.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue communication, in particular between the State Customs Service and businesses within the framework of working meetings, seminars, and consultations on the practice of implementing the European system of customs simplifications.