Press release

During a major security and facilitation conference hosted by the World Customs Organisation (WCO) last week in Brussels, experts including customs representatives, shippers, carriers and freight forwarders undertook a critical implementation review of the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards.

Adopted in June 2005, the Framework lists minimum requirements that Customs and economic operators should implement in order to secure and facilitate global trade. The European Shippers’ Council is pleased to note that the WCO has now recognised the need to revise the SAFE Framework in order to tackle some of the concerns with the implementation of the Framework voiced by shippers.

Shippers were in particular worried about the wording of the Framework which made the “The importer or his/her agent responsible for submitting an advance electronic import Goods declaration to the Customs at import prior to arrival of the means of transport at the first Customs office”.

Mr Daguzan, Chairman of the ESC Customs Committee, said: “We are very happy that the WCO has finally recognised that the importer - is clearly not the best placed person to provide this information. Rather, it is best left to the acting party required to declare information in advance of importation, who is, in most cases, the carrier. It is usually the carrier that has access to the practical information required, and seldom the importer. This is, moreover, what was intended by the European Union in the new rules on security included in the Community Customs Code.”

ESC believes that by introducing these changes the SAFE guidelines would help secure and protect trade lanes without interrupting the flow of goods or presenting a barrier to commerce.

Apart from this revision of the SAFE Framework ESC continued to encourage national governments to support mutual recognition of national and regional security programmes.

ESC also continues to express its concerns over US requirements for 100 percent scanning of cargo: this is likely to result in enormous costs to users, suppliers and ultimately consumers without accomplishing greater safety and security.

For further information contact: Nicolette van der Jagt, Secretary General of the ESC - Brussels 00 322 230 2113