The Modernised Community Customs Code (MCCC) - A new EU initiative to help Irish Exporters

Political agreement was reached by the EU Council of Ministers on 25 June 2007 on the proposals for a modernised Community Customs Code (MCCC). The MCCC will simplify legislation and streamline customs procedures for the benefit of both customs authorities and exporters. The agreement now needs to be confirmed by the European Parliament and is expected to become law early next year. The new set of rules will mean that Irish exports will no longer have to engage customs agents in the country to which they are exporting and will also result in progress towards a paper-free electronic environment for customs within the EU. This will help companies to reduce costs and increase competitiveness.
The MCCC will

• Introduce the electronic lodging of customs declarations and accompanying documents as the rule;
• Provide for the exchange of electronic information between the national customs and other competent authorities;
• Promote the concept of "centralised clearance", under which authorised traders will be able to declare goods electronically and pay their customs duties at the place where they are established, irrespective of the Member State through which the goods will be brought in or out of the EU customs territory or in which they will be consumed.
• Offer a base for the development of the 'Single Window' and 'One-Stop-Shop' concepts, under which exporters will need to give information on goods to only one contact point, even where the data is needed by a number of agencies/administrators.

View the Press Release on the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment website