IEA Customs and Trade July 2011 
 
In this edition;

      Import Control system as of Ist July 2011 – All importers must now comply or face sanctions or fines 

      AEO Transit guarantees being dropped in new facilitation move for AEO holders , and latest on
       C-TPAT and AEO 

      Argentina imposes import restrictions on goods from EU 

      Josephine Feehily , Revenue Commissioners Chairman appointed as Chairperson of WCO 

      Dublin Port Customs office hours of opening to be reduced to 7.00am to 3.00pm


Import Control system as of Ist July 2011 – All importers must now comply or face sanctions or fines 
Starting July 2011 security data have to be sent to any European Union entry port before the arrival of the goods on the EU customs territory.
Following WTO recommendations, the European Union has strengthened the import procedures originally established in July 2009 by adding the obligation to declare security and safety data. Managed by an electronic security declaration management system called ICS (Import Control System), the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) is now compulsory for the importation of goods into the European Union customs area. After a transition period, this EU regulation came into full force at the end of 2010. The grace period ended on July 1st. Starting now carriers must comply with the new customs regulation. If they do not fines or sanctions could be imposed by EU Customs, which could delay delivery of the goods. This regulation makes it mandatory to transmit safety and security data concerning goods to be brought into the European Union customs territory, enabling EU Member State customs authorities to protect EU security and carry out risk analyses.

For all issues concerning the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS), visit the FAQ of the European Union website for Taxation and Customs Union.


AEO Transit guarantees being dropped in new facilitation move for AEO holders , and latest on C-TPAT
and AEO 
The Revenue Commisioners have also advised new facilitation now available to AEO holders in obtaining Transit Guarantee Waiver. Transit is a customs facility available to operators who move goods across borders or territories without paying the duties due when goods enter (or leave) the territory. The Community transit procedure and the Common transit procedure, operated electronically through the NCTS system, facilitate the movement of both Community and non-Community goods within the EU and between the EU and EFTA countries. For each transit operation a guarantee to cover the potential duties is normally required.

Customs can agree to accept a Comprehensive Guarantee that covers a number of transit operations carried out by the same Principal (i.e. the person responsible for the transit operation). The amount of the Comprehensive Guarantee may be set at 100% of the potential duties but it can be reduced to 50% or 30% of that amount or a guarantee waiver may be allowed subject to certain criteria regarding reliability. The use of a guarantee waiver requires specific authorisation from Customs. (Note: A guarantee waiver is not available for high risk goods i.e. spirits, cigarettes and certain CAP goods).

In order to obtain a guarantee waiver, the Principal must demonstrate that s/he

(a) co-operates very closely with Customs,
(b) has sufficient financial resources to meet his/her obligations,
(c) has sufficient experience of the Community transit procedure, and
(d) is in command of transport operations.

However, if the Principal has Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status (AEOC or AEOF certificate), the conditions at (a) and (b) are automatically deemed fulfilled and, subject to compliance with (c) & (d), the Principal will be entitled on application to qualify for a transit guarantee waiver.

Further information regarding transit and AEO is available on Revenue’s website www.revenue.ie

Customs Division,
Revenue Commissioners.
June 2011


Argentina imposes import restrictions on goods from EU 
Please click here to read full  document issued by the EU Commission regarding import restrictions imposed by Argentina.The document also provides contact details for the submission of any documentary evidence that you may have on this matter and any related questions that you may wish to clarify.
It would also be helpful to copy - Patrick Bailey email :Patrick.Bailey@djei.ie  of the Trade Policy Unit with any information given. Details provided will assist the EU and Ireland in pursuing the removal of the restrictions.


Josephine Feehily , Revenue Commissioners Chairman appointed as Chairperson of WCO 
At its Council Sessions on Saturday last, Revenue Chairman Josephine Feehily was elected Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO), one of the largest intergovernmental organisations in the world.
Congratulating the Chairman on her election, the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan T.D., said: "This is an honour for Ireland and very welcome news in the context of the Government's approach to international engagement. Ms. Feehily was proposed for this position by her European colleagues and her success is a reflection of the regard in which the Revenue's Customs Service, and Josephine Feehily are held in the international Customs community."
The WCO is the key intergovernmental organisation in supporting and modernising Customs administrations, particularly in developing countries, and in facilitating international trade. The work the WCO carries out is of benefit to Irish and EU trade across the globe.
The role of chairing the WCO Council provides the opportunity for Ireland to be closely involved in shaping international Customs policy and ensuring that trade facilitation remains a central goal of the WCO.
Until her election, the Chairman was the Chair of the WCO's Audit Committee and has previously served as Head of the Europe Region and a Vice Chair of the WCO.
Read full press release from WCO here


Dublin Port Customs office hours of opening to be reduced to 7.00am to 3.00pm
The Revenue Commissioners have been involved in a process of reducing the manning in certain port offices over the past year . The IEA involved the exporters of alcohol in a discussion process with Revenue and Customs to simplify the export documentation required to support excise returns and the use of Dublin Port customs office .Reducing the opening hours from 7.00am to 7.00pm was deferred by Customs while this review was being carried .
In view of the satisfactory outcome of these discussions , Customs now plan to move ahead with the reduced hours in Dublin Port .
Any expoprters or shipping agents should advise Karl Higgins, assistant principal officer in Dublin Port, ph 01 877 6301 , khiggins@revenue.ie  if they forsee any difficulties arising as a consequence .
Or they can advise John Whelan, ceo of the IEA who can have the matter investigated, jfwhelan@irishexporters.ie  

END