The European customs union works together with importers and exporters to find formulas that simplify and coordinate the necessary procedures in international trade. However, to avoid incidents, it is best to leave customs procedures in expert hands.
Every minute, more than 4,000 tons of goods are imported or exported in the European Union, accounting for around 16% of global trade. Customs procedures ensure safe and legitimate international trade, protecting importers and consumers and controlling fraud.
Customs procedures can be very complex for importers. An expert management company facilitates the process and avoids delays or fines.
The customs of the European Union are governed by a common code approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, which operates as a single service for all member countries. This system facilitates the management of the approximately 450 international airports, the 10,000 kilometers of land borders, and the 133 points of entry for goods by road and rail existing in the European Union. Customs surveillance ensures that imported and traded goods are safe and legal throughout the territory.
The European customs union, on the other hand, has reached bilateral trade agreements with third countries such as the USA, Canada, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and China. Thanks to these agreements, procedures are simplified and import and export costs are reduced for European companies.
To expedite the inspection procedures for goods, technologies such as gamma rays and X-rays are used, allowing the interior of containers to be visualized without unloading them. Risk management techniques are also applied to control high-risk goods before they reach the border. Thanks to the rapid exchange of information between European Union countries, it is possible to stop rejected goods from trying to find other entry points.
Bull Importer effectively manages customs procedures, avoiding incidents for importers in the reception of imported goods, such as delays or fines. Meanwhile, the European customs union contributes to facilitating business activity with measures such as the following:
- Data processing can even be done at the destination instead of at the point of entry, greatly streamlining paperwork.
- Another agreement term with companies is the possibility of storing imported goods before paying import duties. In some cases, it is even possible to transform goods under customs control and before clearance, resulting in significant savings for companies.
- Automation of procedures, replacing paper forms with electronic procedures, and management through a single window play a fundamental role in saving time and money for the company. Currently, over 98% of customs declarations are made electronically.
- Entrepreneurs involved in protecting international supply chains can apply for certification accrediting them as Authorized Economic Operators. This further simplifies paperwork. To obtain the certificate, a series of criteria related to customs standards, records, and financial solvency must be met.
Request more information here about our role in managing customs procedures.
