The UCC, Delegating & Implementing Acts: Late Christmas Presents from the EU Commission

Posted by Matt Springate
Blog originally posted on 20/01/2016 03:00 PM

Late Christmas Present

Over the recent holidays, I was having a discussion with my wife regarding how different cultures celebrate and which days are the most important. Being American, my family has always placed a certain emphasis on Christmas Eve. We have dinner together and open one present that evening, while reserving Christmas Day for a leisure breakfast, late lunch, and a trip to the cinema in the afternoon. My wife is Colombian and had a different experience growing up. In Colombia, they do not do a lot to celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve; all of the festivities take place on Christmas Day. Since we recently moved to the UK, we were both looking forward to the emphasis on Boxing Day. 

The European Commission, however, has let us know that they celebrate Christmas on December 29th and provided the trade industry with the gift of the Union Customs Code, Delegating and Implementing Acts. The Union Customs Code replaces the Community Customs Code with the goal of modernizing processes and regulations to match up to today’s business climate and technology. The Union Customs Code is effective May 1st, 2016, but implementation is going to be phased over three years. 

The regulatory background for the new EU wide rules are included in the Union Customs Code, Delegating Acts, and Implementing Acts. Now that the text of these documents have been confirmed and published, EU countries will begin drafting Customs Notices to digest and advise the trade on these new rules. 

So, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be spending your next few evenings wearing those new slippers you opened on Christmas Eve and leafing through these new regulations. You can find the new regulations for the Union Customs Code and the Delegating and Implementing Acts online. And, as always, if you have any questions about what you find, please do not hesitate to reach out to Tradewin. 

011816-CTA

Topics: Europe

Blog originally posted on 20/01/2016 03:00 PM

Matt Springate

Written by Matt Springate

As Principal for Tradewin’s US consulting practice, Matt brings extensive experience in working with importers and exporters to perfect their compliance operations. He specializes in duty recovery programs, preferential trade agreement qualification, tariff classification, prior disclosures, and audit support. Preceding this role, Matt was Principal of Tradewin’s European practice for five years, based in the United Kingdom. There, he managed a team of consultants across multiple European countries providing both tactical and advisory services for customers. Prior to relocating to the UK, Matt served as Tradewin’s Manager of U.S. Duty Drawback services, and as an Advisory Services Consultant. Matt holds a Master of Arts degree in Diplomacy and International Commerce from the University of Kentucky and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Furman University. He is a Licensed Customs Broker and is IATA/FIATA Certified. Matt is based in Boston, Massachusetts.