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Let's analyse the priorities of the Belgium EU Presidency for 2024 Belgium assumes the rotating Presidency for the thirteenth time as the EU grapples with Russian illegal aggression in Ukraine, the pandemic, the energy crisis, disinformation, extreme climate events, and a renewed Middle East conflict. This comes at a crucial moment for the EU. The Belgian Presidency will work to preserve Europeans, improve cooperation, and prepare for the future. It will cover six topics, with a focus on ensuring Ukraine receives our unwavering support. If the current institutional cycle ends, the Presidency will help ease the transition. This body will assist the Strategic Agenda 2024-2029 and EU future discussions. Increasing competitiveness As geopolitical realities change and emerging technologies like AI advance, the EU must emphasise long-term competitiveness and industrial policy. The EU should maintain a level playing field for companies, particularly SMEs, allowing fair competition within Europe and beyond. A clear, predictable, and simple regulatory framework is essential. The EU should pioneer a sustainable, creative, and resilient digital environment that empowers people and benefits enterprises. The Belgian Presidency aims to enhance the EU's internal market and industrial future, and advance the capital markets and energy unions. Priority will be given to improving economic security, minimising harmful dependence, and boosting technology leadership in key areas. The Presidency aspires to advance research, development, and innovation to create and market customised solutions that strengthen EU value chains' resilience and competitiveness. The goal is to create a future-oriented labour market that boosts employment and development. It will emphasise public and private investments. It will emphasise the importance of cohesion policy as a crucial investment tool, accelerator for change and convergence, and structural foundation for the European Union. The focus will be on ensuring food production sovereignty. The Presidency will prioritise cohesiveness between EU internal and exterior policy. Taxation and Customs Matters The Belgian Presidency will support green and digital transformation, open strategic autonomy, and global competitiveness to solve European concerns. This commitment protects Europe's economic foundations. The Presidency will emphasise the Union's economic governance evaluation, Ukraine's financial aid, and Banking Union and Capital Markets Union legislation. The Presidency will close the VAT deficit, finish the mid-term MFF review, update the Union Customs Code, and regulate cross-border teleworking taxes. VAT The Belgian Presidency will promote VAT gap closing for national and EU budgets. The ‘VAT in the Digital Age’ proposal will be prioritised. The Belgian Presidency will review Energy Taxation Directive. Customs Customs services in member states are faced with several increasing challenges and tasks, particularly in light of the twin transitions to digital and green technologies. Taking this into consideration, the Belgian Presidency will work towards updating the Union's Customs Code to better suit present and future requirements while also improving its benefits to EU Member States, the EU as a whole, and society at large. Direct Taxation EU and Member States seek to implement OECD Pillar Two by January 1, 2024, and Pillar One by January 1, 2025. Addressing tax evasion, avoidance, aggressive planning, and harmful direct tax competition shall be prioritised. The EU will update its list of non-cooperative nations, execute legislative and non-legislative actions, and address withholding tax abuse to minimise compliance costs and burden for cross-border investors. The Presidency supports BEFIT and will propose harmonised tax legislation for mobile workers. The Presidency will promote the Unshell Directive and SAFE. The Pillar Two Directive is intended to boost EU tax transparency and information exchange. Sanctions he Presidency will continue the Council’s work on frozen assets and the efforts and on updating relevant sanctions regimes, ensuring coherent implementation, countering circumvention, and shaping new measures if required. The overarching priority will be to improve cooperation between all actors, ensure the measures’ effectiveness, and address legal and humanitarian concerns. Free Trade Agreements When confronted with problems on a global scale, the EU Trade policy plays a crucial part in ensuring our open strategic autonomy and growing our capacity for resilience. There are three objectives: Objective 1: Diversification The objective of the Belgium Presidency is to diversify our exports and supply chains to guarantee access to vital raw materials (CRMs) and new technologies that are essential for the twin transition and our open strategic autonomy. Look out for the CRMs conference that is set to take place on March 26. Objective 2: Strengthening global ties Trade deepens our connections with people all around the world. The Presidency will work to advance a bilateral trade agenda that is one that is open, sustainable, and forceful, as well as one that is ambitious and balanced. The Indo-Pacific region, Africa, and Latin America are all areas in which we are actively working to expand our connections with trans-Atlantic partners. When the EU-US Trade and Technology Council comes to visit us in the spring, we are looking forward to holding it. Objective 3: Full and effective implementation and enforcement of free trade agreements In addition, due attention will be paid to the full and effective implementation and enforcement of trade agreements in all of their dimensions. This will be done to foster economic growth, assisting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), encouraging job creation, and facilitating sustainable development, which will ultimately contribute to the prosperity of EU citizens and of our trading partners. MC13 The Belgium Presidency will support the preparation of the MC13. 4-In-1 Support Services: How to get more support 1. Customs & Global Trade Updates (Fee Subscription): www.customsmanager.info 2. Customs & Global Trade Consultancy & Advice (Free First Call): https://www.customsmanager.org/consultancy 3. Customs & Global Trade Training & Education: https://www.customsmanager.org/education-training 4. Compliant & efficient UK Customs Clearance: https://www.customsmanager.org/customs-agent Connect with us on socials LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/customs-manager-ltd/ X: @customsmanager YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CustomsManagerLtd Get in Touch · Website: www.customsmanager.org · E-Mail: info@customsmanager.org About Customs Manager’s Customs & Global Trade Intelligence Services The Premium Professional Legislative Monitoring Service (PLM) is a research and curation service which checks for legislative updates from official government websites based on the selected jurisdictions and topics. Paid Plan subscribers can access regular law change notifications to ensure they never miss a significant legal change on www.customsmanager.info – a website dedicated to customs & trade intelligence. At the same time, they save valuable time by engaging our dedicated trade specialists to carry the monitoring out for them. Premium subscribers also unlock all content on the Customs Manager’s Ltd. website, including our Customs & Trade Blog on www.customsmanager.info , providing vital thought leadership development services to empower them to trade effectively, efficiently and, of course, compliantly, across borders. Premium Subscribers can add jurisdictions and topics for an additional charge. About Customs Manager Ltd. We aim to empower people with import, export and transport responsibilities with helpful advice, insightful training and relevant trade intelligence services. We devote all our passion and energy to helping businesses grow faster cross-border. Working with us means having your own multilingual Customs Manager on standby to help you trade effectively, efficiently and, of course, compliantly wherever you want to go. Includes Brexit support and the ability to lodge customs declarations and making sense of rules of origin, customs classification and customs valuation to make but a few. Important Notice Customs Manager Ltd. owns the copyright in this document, except for external documents and links we refer to or make available. You are not allowed to use this information in any way that infringes its intellectual property rights. You may have to hold a valid licence to use this information. A licence can be obtained by becoming a Paid Plan subscriber to the Customs Managers’ Customs & Trade Intelligence service, also known as Professional Legislative Monitoring (PLM). As a Paid Plan subscriber, you may download and print this information which you may then use, copy or reproduce for your internal non-profit-making purposes. However, you are not permitted to use, copy or reproduce this information to profit or gain. In addition, you must not sell or distribute this information to third parties, not members of your organisation, whether for monetary payment or otherwise. This information is intended to serve as general guidance and not constitute legal advice. The application and impact of laws can vary widely based on the specific facts involved. This information should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking action, consult a Customs Manager Ltd. professional. In no circumstances will Customs Manager Ltd be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information contained within this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Two new measures of the "Freeze and Seize" Task Force have reached political approval. We explain what this is all about.

Rules of Origin causing sleepless nights? No need to stress! These six fundamentals will help you comply and save duty argues under the EU-UK TCA says Arne Mielken of Customs Manager Ltd.

Mastering the Art of Complying with UK Russia's Import Restrictions: A Guide

Targeting Businesses Evading Russian Sanctions: What You Need to Know About OTSI, The New Division in the Department of Business & Trade A new UK agency tasked with carrying out and upholding trade sanctions was announced on December 11, 2023, by the Minister of Industry and Economic Security of the United Kingdom. What is OTSI and what is its role? Operating as a sister organisation to the current Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), the Office of Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) will implement and enforce trade restrictions will, which will also have the authority to fine violators financially. The UK Government has said that OTSI will play an advising role as well; among its duties is trade sanctions business engagement and guidance. Civil Enforcement Up until recently, His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has been responsible for looking into violations of trade prohibitions. More significant violations will be submitted to HMRC for criminal enforcement, while OTSI will be responsible for civil enforcement. Export Control Since the OTSI statement makes no mention of export licences, it seems that the Export Control Joint Unit will continue to be responsible for issuing them. From 2024 Once the necessary laws are in place to enable it to impose financial penalties, the new agency is anticipated to begin operations in early 2024. Circumvention The UK government's heightened attention on ensuring the efficacy of its trade sanctions system, notably in relation to Russian aggression against Ukraine, is shown by the announcement of OTSI's inception. A Red Alert on common evasion strategies for the shipment of high-risk commodities being utilised by Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine was sent to UK firms on December 6, 2023, by OFSI, the National Crime Agency, and the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office. On the same day, the UK government unveiled a set of 46 new sanctions aimed at people and organisations supporting and facilitating Russia's military endeavours, including those that sell components and equipment to the country. What to anticipate Although the launch of OTSI suggests a greater emphasis on trade sanctions violations, it is doubtful that the UK enforcement environment will undergo significant changes very soon. No modifications to the punishment scheme for violations have been disclosed, and OTSI will not have any more investigation powers than HMRC. However, there is reason for optimism among the UK private sector and its industrial trading partners that the establishment of OTSI would lead to the issuance of more practical business guidelines about the scope and implementation of UK trade sanctions laws. Since the UK's Russia Regulations went into effect, OFSI has released yearly reports outlining its goals and actions, as well as useful guidelines for adhering to the financial sanctions regulations. It would be good to see more of the same from OTSI. 4-In-1 Support Services: How to get more support 1. Customs & Global Trade Updates (Fee Subscription): www.customsmanager.info 2. Customs & Global Trade Consultancy & Advice (Free First Call): https://www.customsmanager.org/consultancy 3. Customs & Global Trade Training & Education: https://www.customsmanager.org/education-training 4. Compliant & efficient UK Customs Clearance: https://www.customsmanager.org/customs-agent Connect with us on socials LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/customs-manager-ltd/ X: @customsmanager YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CustomsManagerLtd Get in Touch · Website: www.customsmanager.org · E-Mail: info@customsmanager.org About Customs Manager’s Customs & Global Trade Intelligence Services The Premium Professional Legislative Monitoring Service (PLM) is a research and curation service which checks for legislative updates from official government websites based on the selected jurisdictions and topics. Paid Plan subscribers can access regular law change notifications to ensure they never miss a significant legal change on www.customsmanager.info – a website dedicated to customs & trade intelligence. At the same time, they save valuable time by engaging our dedicated trade specialists to carry the monitoring out for them. Premium subscribers also unlock all content on the Customs Manager’s Ltd. website, including our Customs & Trade Blog on www.customsmanager.info , providing vital thought leadership development services to empower them to trade effectively, efficiently and, of course, compliantly, across borders. Premium Subscribers can add jurisdictions and topics for an additional charge. About Customs Manager Ltd. We aim to empower people with import, export and transport responsibilities with helpful advice, insightful training and relevant trade intelligence services. We devote all our passion and energy to helping businesses grow faster cross-border. Working with us means having your own multilingual Customs Manager on standby to help you trade effectively, efficiently and, of course, compliantly wherever you want to go. Includes Brexit support and the ability to lodge customs declarations and making sense of rules of origin, customs classification and customs valuation to make but a few. Important Notice Customs Manager Ltd. owns the copyright in this document, except for external documents and links we refer to or make available. You are not allowed to use this information in any way that infringes its intellectual property rights. You may have to hold a valid licence to use this information. A licence can be obtained by becoming a Paid Plan subscriber to the Customs Managers’ Customs & Trade Intelligence service, also known as Professional Legislative Monitoring (PLM). As a Paid Plan subscriber, you may download and print this information which you may then use, copy or reproduce for your internal non-profit-making purposes. However, you are not permitted to use, copy or reproduce this information to profit or gain. In addition, you must not sell or distribute this information to third parties, not members of your organisation, whether for monetary payment or otherwise. This information is intended to serve as general guidance and not constitute legal advice. The application and impact of laws can vary widely based on the specific facts involved. This information should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking action, consult a Customs Manager Ltd. professional. In no circumstances will Customs Manager Ltd be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information contained within this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Understanding Eligible Goods and Rates for Authorised Use: What You Need to Know. Date of last update 18.12.2023

How to Declare Reusable Packaging for Your Import and Export Needs?

Unpacking the Significance of Binding Valuation Information in EU Customs Law: Insights from ECCE's Debut Session FIRST SEMINAR OF ECCE - EUROPEAN COMMON CUSTOMS EVALUATION (II ED.) DATE: 15 DECEMBER 2023  from 9:00 to 14:00 EVENT LOCATION: University of Valencia - Collegio Major Rector Peset, Plaça Del Forn De Sant Nicolau, 4, Valencia - In presence and online event The EU plans to include in its customs legislation decisions on binding valuation information (‘BVI decisions’). This will complete the legal and operational framework for issuing decisions relating to binding tariff classification information (BTI) and binding origin information (BOI). These decisions aim to establish a transparent and formal process for exporters and importers to apply and obtain binding decisions on customs treatment for imported or exported goods. The main benefit for the holder is legal certainty that operations covered by the decision will be treated by customs authorities, while the main benefit for the customs authorities is to pre-define with legitimate traders the correct treatment of those operations, supporting risk management and contributing to overall compliance and uniformity of customs operations throughout the EU. The legal and operational framework for BVI decisions is modelled on relevant aspects of existing BTI and BOI decisions, and will meet international standards regarding advance rulings for customs purposes. A BVI will ensure transparency and legal certainty and support compliance and uniformity in customs valuation, to the benefit of economic operators, customs authorities and the EU’s financial interests. It will also meet international standards regarding advance rulings for customs purposes. It is anticipated that the revisions will take effect on December 1, 2025. The draft On December 21, 2022, the proposed amendments (Ares (2022)8903368 and Ares (2022)8903397) that would modify Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 (UCC-DA) and Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 (UCC-IA) were released: The webiste is here: https://site.unibo.it/ecce/en The project is being carried out in cooperation with Universidad de Valencia, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam, and the Joint Research Centre (ISPRA). The following are the project's two main objectives: The research's first objective is to compare and analyse different customs control procedures in order to understand and explain how customs rules regarding value are unintentionally implemented by various customs administrations. Additionally, it seeks to ascertain the true stances of national customs agencies towards this kind of regulation (law in action). The second objective of the programme is to examine the value and legal status of Theseus, a statistical instrument developed in Europe that may be used at a low cost to fight undervaluation fraud across the continent. What did the event talk about? 1. Legal Structure and Difficulties Binding Valuation implementation The legitimacy of the information provided by customs officers was examined, as well as the need of a uniform strategy across EU members. This component is necessary for uniform customs processes and legal clarity. 2. Complicatements in e-Commerce Valuation The workshop highlighted the unique challenges associated with valuing e-commerce transactions, especially when considering models like Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA). The primary focus was on how challenging it is to ascertain transaction values under these types of circumstances. 3. Future Outlook and Adaptability It was said that in order to manage new e-commerce models and trends, customs valuation has to be flexible and adaptive. This type of information is necessary to stay up to date with evolving market conditions and technological advancements. 4. Practical Advice for Exporters and Importers Throughout the session, businesses engaged in EU trade received practical advice. It underlined how important it is to stay current with regulatory changes, make investments in digital solutions for efficient customs processes, and take part in international collaboration for uniform standards. This approach is crucial for handling the complexities of international trade and customs value in a rapidly evolving world of e-commerce. Many thanks to the team for planning such a worthwhile programme! 4-In-1 Support Services: How to get more support 1. Customs & Global Trade Updates (Fee Subscription): www.customsmanager.info 2. Customs & Global Trade Consultancy & Advice (Free First Call): https://www.customsmanager.org/consultancy 3. Customs & Global Trade Training & Education: https://www.customsmanager.org/education-training 4. Compliant & efficient UK Customs Clearance: https://www.customsmanager.org/customs-agent Connect with us on socials LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/customs-manager-ltd/ X: @customsmanager YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CustomsManagerLtd Get in Touch · Website: www.customsmanager.org · E-Mail: info@customsmanager.org About Customs Manager’s Customs & Global Trade Intelligence Services The Premium Professional Legislative Monitoring Service (PLM) is a research and curation service which checks for legislative updates from official government websites based on the selected jurisdictions and topics. Paid Plan subscribers can access regular law change notifications to ensure they never miss a significant legal change on www.customsmanager.info – a website dedicated to customs & trade intelligence. At the same time, they save valuable time by engaging our dedicated trade specialists to carry the monitoring out for them. Premium subscribers also unlock all content on the Customs Manager’s Ltd. website, including our Customs & Trade Blog on www.customsmanager.info , providing vital thought leadership development services to empower them to trade effectively, efficiently and, of course, compliantly, across borders. Premium Subscribers can add jurisdictions and topics for an additional charge. About Customs Manager Ltd. We aim to empower people with import, export and transport responsibilities with helpful advice, insightful training and relevant trade intelligence services. We devote all our passion and energy to helping businesses grow faster cross-border. Working with us means having your own multilingual Customs Manager on standby to help you trade effectively, efficiently and, of course, compliantly wherever you want to go. Includes Brexit support and the ability to lodge customs declarations and making sense of rules of origin, customs classification and customs valuation to make but a few. Important Notice Customs Manager Ltd. owns the copyright in this document, except for external documents and links we refer to or make available. You are not allowed to use this information in any way that infringes its intellectual property rights. You may have to hold a valid licence to use this information. A licence can be obtained by becoming a Paid Plan subscriber to the Customs Managers’ Customs & Trade Intelligence service, also known as Professional Legislative Monitoring (PLM). As a Paid Plan subscriber, you may download and print this information which you may then use, copy or reproduce for your internal non-profit-making purposes. However, you are not permitted to use, copy or reproduce this information to profit or gain. In addition, you must not sell or distribute this information to third parties, not members of your organisation, whether for monetary payment or otherwise. This information is intended to serve as general guidance and not constitute legal advice. The application and impact of laws can vary widely based on the specific facts involved. This information should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional legal or other competent advisers. Before making any decision or taking action, consult a Customs Manager Ltd. professional. In no circumstances will Customs Manager Ltd be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information contained within this document or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

Read our guide on the UK Ban on Russian iron and steel processed in third countries only and the evidence traders need to provide to demonstrate compliance.

Demystifying Free Carrier (FCA) Incoterms 2020: Everything You Need to Know

Maximising your Imports: A Guide to Utilising the United States Harmonised Tariff Schedule