What are the consequences of the Modernised Customs Code for the port community service providers ? 

What are the threats and opportunities of the various European customs projects such as Centralised Clearance ? 

How do these evolutions influence the relation between service providers and importers/exporters ?  

This was the subject of a strategic study carried out by Customs4trade on behalf of Alfaport Antwerp. If you want to know more on the impact of these ongoing and future changes for the Antwerp Port Community, click here.

The European Commission launched a public consultation on 12 July to aks businesses and the public for their views on possible VAT simplifications to facilitate customs centralised clearance.

“Centralised clearance” is a possibility for the importers that hold an authorization to both declare and pay customs duties to the customs administration of their Member State of authorisation, independent from the place of import and destination of goods within the EU. However, under the present VAT rules, the importers, even using centralised clearance, would still be subject to VAT obligations in each Member State of physical arrival and destination of goods. The aim of this consultation is to obtain views on a series of solutions relating to the possible adaptions of VAT collection rules.

The consultation will run until 31 October 2010. You can find more information here.