Press Release: European electronic customs: Commission welcomes progress to reach political agreement

The European Commission welcomes the progress made by the European Council of Ministers to reach a political agreement on the implementation of pan-European electronic customs. After long discussions Member States have agreed on the next steps towards a paper free environment for customs (IP/05/1501). Member States and the Commission favour a step-by-step approach where electronic systems will be implemented in several phases. The compromise agreement now needs to be confirmed by the European Parliament in a second reading which is expected to come in the next few months.