Press Release: Excise duties: Commission provides free on-line access to excise registration numbers (SEED-on-Europa)

As from 16 October 2006, the European Commission will provide to the business free on-line access to excise registration numbers which are attributed to operators which are allowed to produce, store, transport and/or receive excise products under suspension of duties. This on-line access to 'SEED-on-Europa' allows verification of the validity of economic operators’ excise numbers and the categories of goods for which the operator is authorised. This will increase legal certainty and transparency for traders wishing to send excise goods under suspension of duties. The launch of 'SEED-on-Europa' marks the first step in the implementation of a paperless environment for excise movement procedures in support of an effective e-Excise policy.