NEW SYSTEM TO COMBAT CUSTOMS FRAUD IN THE EU

As of 1 September 2016, customs investigators in the European Union will be able to use new electronic tools to combat customs fraud (e.g. the misdeclaration of product origin, undervaluation or misdescription of goods at import) more efficiently.

As a result of an update to the customs rules, authorities will be able to have access to new IT systems that record the physical movements of containers transported on maritime vessels, and to gather information on the goods entering, transiting and leaving the EU. These new instruments will allow the EU and its Member States to better track and trace suspicious shipments and to better detect customs fraud.

The amended legislation has prompted the creation of two new databases. Customs officials, as well as the EU anti-fraud office OLAF will be able to cross-check the information from both databases to detect potential fraud patterns.