The European Commission (EC), has adopted two proposals to modernize the Customs Code of the European Union (EU) and to introduce an electronic, paper-free customs environment in the 25-member bloc, the EC announced on Wednesday.

The first proposal aims to simplify and streamline customs processes and procedures, said the EU's executive in a press release.

The second proposal is designed to make EU Member States' electronic customs systems compatible with each other; introduce EU-wide electronic risk analysis and improve information exchange between frontier control authorities; make electronic declarations the rule; and introduce a centralized customs clearance arrangement.

The result should be to increase the competitiveness of companies doing business in Europe, reduce compliance costs and improve EU security.

"These proposals would achieve the dual objective of enhancing security at the EU's external borders and facilitating trade" EU Taxation and Customs Commissioner Laszlo Kovacs quoted as saying by the press release.

The Customs Union is one of the pillars of the European construction and is at the heart of the EU Internal Market.

Current EU legislation on customs procedures and processes is generally complicated and is based on paper declarations. Although all EU Member States have electronic customs systems, they are not inter-connected.

Source: Xinhua