# Official Journal L 58/2020

| | ISSN 1977-0677 |
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| Official Journal
  of the European Union | L 58 |
| | |
| English edition | Legislation | Volume 6327 February 2020 |

ISSN 1977-0677

Official Journal

of the European Union

L 58

English edition

Legislation

Volume 6327 February 2020

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| Contents | | I   Legislative acts | page |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| | | REGULATIONS |
| | * | Council Regulation (EU) 2020/261 of 19 December 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 on administrative cooperation in the field of excise duties as regards the content of electronic registers | 1 |
| | | DIRECTIVES |
| | * | Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 of 19 December 2019 laying down the general arrangements for excise duty (recast) | 4 |
| | | DECISIONS |
| | * | Decision (EU) 2020/263 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2020 on computerising the movement and surveillance of excise goods (recast) | 43 |

Contents

I   Legislative acts

page

REGULATIONS

*

Council Regulation (EU) 2020/261 of 19 December 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 on administrative cooperation in the field of excise duties as regards the content of electronic registers

1

DIRECTIVES

*

Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 of 19 December 2019 laying down the general arrangements for excise duty (recast)

4

DECISIONS

*

Decision (EU) 2020/263 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2020 on computerising the movement and surveillance of excise goods (recast)

43

| | | II   Non-legislative acts |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | | DECISIONS |
| | * | Decision (EU) 2020/264 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide for the payment of advances in the general budget of the Union for 2020 | 49 |
| | * | Decision (EU) 2020/265 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument to finance immediate budgetary measures to address the ongoing challenges of migration, refugee inflows and security threats | 51 |
| | * | Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/266 of 25 February 2020 authorising the opening of negotiations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for a new partnership agreement | 53 |

II   Non-legislative acts

DECISIONS

*

Decision (EU) 2020/264 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide for the payment of advances in the general budget of the Union for 2020

49

*

Decision (EU) 2020/265 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument to finance immediate budgetary measures to address the ongoing challenges of migration, refugee inflows and security threats

51

*

Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2020/266 of 25 February 2020 authorising the opening of negotiations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for a new partnership agreement

53

| EN | Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.
  The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk. |
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EN

Acts whose titles are printed in light type are those relating to day-to-day management of agricultural matters, and are generally valid for a limited period.

The titles of all other Acts are printed in bold type and preceded by an asterisk.

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I Legislative acts

REGULATIONS

| 27.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 58/1 |
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27.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 58/1

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COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2020/261

of 19 December 2019

amending Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 on administrative cooperation in the field of excise duties as regards the content of electronic registers

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 113 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (2),

Acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure,

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 19 of Council Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 (3) lays down an obligation for Member States to maintain electronic registers of authorisations of economic operators and warehouses that are engaged in moving excise goods under duty suspension arrangements. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Article 19 of Council Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 (3) lays down an obligation for Member States to maintain electronic registers of authorisations of economic operators and warehouses that are engaged in moving excise goods under duty suspension arrangements.

| (2) | Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 (4) extends the use of the computerised system under Decision (EU) 2020/263 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5), which is currently used to supervise movements of excise goods under duty suspension, to the supervision of excise goods released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and then moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered for commercial purposes. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 (4) extends the use of the computerised system under Decision (EU) 2020/263 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5), which is currently used to supervise movements of excise goods under duty suspension, to the supervision of excise goods released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and then moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered for commercial purposes.

| (3) | In order to allow for the proper functioning of the computerised system by ensuring storage of complete, up-to-date and accurate data, it is necessary to amend the scope of Article 19 of Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 to include two new categories of economic operators: certified consignors who are registered as consignors for excise goods that have already been released for consumption, and certified consignees who are registered as consignees for excise goods that have already been released for consumption. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

In order to allow for the proper functioning of the computerised system by ensuring storage of complete, up-to-date and accurate data, it is necessary to amend the scope of Article 19 of Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 to include two new categories of economic operators: certified consignors who are registered as consignors for excise goods that have already been released for consumption, and certified consignees who are registered as consignees for excise goods that have already been released for consumption.

| (4) | In accordance with Article 22 of Directive (EU) 2020/262, in the case of movement of energy products under a duty suspension arrangement by sea or inland waterways, the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch may authorise the consignor to omit the details of the consignee at the time of dispatch in the draft electronic administrative document referred to in Article 20(2) of that Directive. In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 only an authorised warehousekeeper is to include that information in the electronic register. It is essential that also the registered consignor is able to introduce into the electronic register the information concerning his right to omit the details of the consignee at the time of dispatch. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

In accordance with Article 22 of Directive (EU) 2020/262, in the case of movement of energy products under a duty suspension arrangement by sea or inland waterways, the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch may authorise the consignor to omit the details of the consignee at the time of dispatch in the draft electronic administrative document referred to in Article 20(2) of that Directive. In accordance with Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 only an authorised warehousekeeper is to include that information in the electronic register. It is essential that also the registered consignor is able to introduce into the electronic register the information concerning his right to omit the details of the consignee at the time of dispatch.

| (5) | Since the objective of this Regulation, namely the extension of the electronic register to include economic operators moving excise goods released for consumption, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of ensuring the harmonised functioning of the computerised system and facilitating the fight against fraud, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

Since the objective of this Regulation, namely the extension of the electronic register to include economic operators moving excise goods released for consumption, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of ensuring the harmonised functioning of the computerised system and facilitating the fight against fraud, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.

| (6) | This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles which are recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular the right to the protection of personal data. In the view of the limits set by the present Regulation, the processing of such data carried out within the framework of this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary and proportionate for the purpose of the protecting the legitimate fiscal interest of the Member States. |
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(6)

This Regulation respects the fundamental rights and observes the principles which are recognised by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, in particular the right to the protection of personal data. In the view of the limits set by the present Regulation, the processing of such data carried out within the framework of this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary and proportionate for the purpose of the protecting the legitimate fiscal interest of the Member States.

| (7) | The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 28(2) of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6). |
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(7)

The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 28(2) of Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6).

| (8) | In order to align the application date of this Regulation with the application date of the provisions of Directive (EU) 2020/262 on automation of movements of excise goods which have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered for commercial purposes in the territory of that other Member State and to allow the Member States adequate time to prepare for the changes resulting from this Regulation, it should apply from 13 February 2023. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

In order to align the application date of this Regulation with the application date of the provisions of Directive (EU) 2020/262 on automation of movements of excise goods which have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered for commercial purposes in the territory of that other Member State and to allow the Member States adequate time to prepare for the changes resulting from this Regulation, it should apply from 13 February 2023.

| (9) | Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 should therefore be amended accordingly, |
| --- | --- |

(9)

Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 should therefore be amended accordingly,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Article 19 of Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 is amended as follows:

| (1) | in point (a) of paragraph 1, the following points are added:






  ‘(iv) | certified consignors within the meaning of point (12) of Article 3 of Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 (*1); |
| --- | --- | --- |

(1)

in point (a) of paragraph 1, the following points are added:

‘(iv)

certified consignors within the meaning of point (12) of Article 3 of Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 (*1);

| (v) | certified consignees within the meaning of point (13) of Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2020/262; |
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(v)

certified consignees within the meaning of point (13) of Article 3 of Directive (EU) 2020/262;

(*1)  Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 of 19 December 2019 laying down the general arrangements for excise duty (OJ L 58, 27.2.2020, p. 4 ).’;"

| (2) | paragraph 2 is amended as follows:






  (a) | points (f) and (g) are replaced by the following:






  ‘(f) | for authorised warehousekeepers, the tax warehouse or the list of tax warehouses to which his authorisation applies and, if applicable under national legislation, an indication that he is authorised to omit the details of the consignee at the time of dispatch in accordance with Article 22 of Directive (EU) 2020/262, that he is authorised to split a movement in accordance with Article 23 of that Directive or that he is authorised to have excise goods moved to a place of direct delivery in accordance with Article 16(4) of that Directive, and an indication that he is acting as a certified consignor or a certified consignee in accordance with Article 35(6) and (7) of that Directive; |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

(2)

paragraph 2 is amended as follows:

(a)

points (f) and (g) are replaced by the following:

‘(f)

for authorised warehousekeepers, the tax warehouse or the list of tax warehouses to which his authorisation applies and, if applicable under national legislation, an indication that he is authorised to omit the details of the consignee at the time of dispatch in accordance with Article 22 of Directive (EU) 2020/262, that he is authorised to split a movement in accordance with Article 23 of that Directive or that he is authorised to have excise goods moved to a place of direct delivery in accordance with Article 16(4) of that Directive, and an indication that he is acting as a certified consignor or a certified consignee in accordance with Article 35(6) and (7) of that Directive;

| (g) | for registered consignees, if applicable under national legislation, an indication that he is authorised to have excise goods moved to a place of direct delivery in accordance with Article 16(4) of Directive (EU) 2020/262, and an indication that he is acting as a certified consignee in accordance with Article 35(7) of that Directive;’; |
| --- | --- |

(g)

for registered consignees, if applicable under national legislation, an indication that he is authorised to have excise goods moved to a place of direct delivery in accordance with Article 16(4) of Directive (EU) 2020/262, and an indication that he is acting as a certified consignee in accordance with Article 35(7) of that Directive;’;

| (b) | the following point is added:






  ‘(k) | for registered consignors, an indication that he is authorised to omit the details of the consignee at the time of dispatch in accordance with Article 22 of Directive (EU) 2020/262, and an indication that he is acting as a certified consignor in accordance with Article 35(6) of that Directive.’. |
| --- | --- | --- |

(b)

the following point is added:

‘(k)

for registered consignors, an indication that he is authorised to omit the details of the consignee at the time of dispatch in accordance with Article 22 of Directive (EU) 2020/262, and an indication that he is acting as a certified consignor in accordance with Article 35(6) of that Directive.’.

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 13 February 2023.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 19 December 2019.

For the Council

The President

K. MIKKONEN

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(1)  Opinion of 3 October 2018 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

1

(2)  Opinion of 17 October 2018 (OJ C 62, 15.2.2019, p. 108).

2

(3)  Council Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 of 2 May 2012 on administrative cooperation in the field of excise duties and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2073/2004 (OJ L 121, 8.5.2012, p. 1).

3

(4)  Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 of 19 December 2019 laying down the general arrangements for excise duty (see page 4 of this Official Journal).

4

(5)  Decision (EU) 2020/263 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2020 on computerising the movement and surveillance of excise goods (see page 43 of this Official Journal).

5

(6)  Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1).

6

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DIRECTIVES

| 27.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 58/4 |
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27.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 58/4

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COUNCIL DIRECTIVE (EU) 2020/262

of 19 December 2019

laying down the general arrangements for excise duty

(recast)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 113 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (2),

Acting in accordance with a special legislative procedure,

Whereas:

| (1) | Council Directive 2008/118/EC (3) has been substantially amended several times. Since further amendments are to be made, that Directive should be recast in the interests of clarity. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Council Directive 2008/118/EC (3) has been substantially amended several times. Since further amendments are to be made, that Directive should be recast in the interests of clarity.

| (2) | Conditions for charging excise duty on goods covered by Directive 2008/118/EC need to remain harmonised in order to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Conditions for charging excise duty on goods covered by Directive 2008/118/EC need to remain harmonised in order to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market.

| (3) | It is appropriate to specify the excise goods to which this Directive applies and to refer for that purpose to Council Directives 92/83/EEC (4), 92/84/EEC (5), 2003/96/EC (6) and 2011/64/EU (7). |
| --- | --- |

(3)

It is appropriate to specify the excise goods to which this Directive applies and to refer for that purpose to Council Directives 92/83/EEC (4), 92/84/EEC (5), 2003/96/EC (6) and 2011/64/EU (7).

| (4) | Excise goods may be subject to other indirect taxes for specific purposes. In such cases, however, and in order not to jeopardise the useful effect of Union rules relating to indirect taxes, Member States should comply with certain essential elements of those rules. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Excise goods may be subject to other indirect taxes for specific purposes. In such cases, however, and in order not to jeopardise the useful effect of Union rules relating to indirect taxes, Member States should comply with certain essential elements of those rules.

| (5) | In order to ensure free movement, taxation of goods other than excise goods should not give rise to formalities connected with the crossing of frontiers. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

In order to ensure free movement, taxation of goods other than excise goods should not give rise to formalities connected with the crossing of frontiers.

| (6) | It is necessary to ensure the application of formalities when excise goods are moving between the territories which are defined as being part of the customs territory of the Union but which are excluded from the scope of this Directive and territories to which this Directive does apply. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

It is necessary to ensure the application of formalities when excise goods are moving between the territories which are defined as being part of the customs territory of the Union but which are excluded from the scope of this Directive and territories to which this Directive does apply.

| (7) | Since it remains necessary for the proper functioning of the internal market that the concept, and conditions for chargeability, of excise duty be the same in all Member States, it is necessary to make clear at Union level when excise goods are released for consumption and who is liable to pay the excise duty. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Since it remains necessary for the proper functioning of the internal market that the concept, and conditions for chargeability, of excise duty be the same in all Member States, it is necessary to make clear at Union level when excise goods are released for consumption and who is liable to pay the excise duty.

| (8) | Since excise duty is a tax on the consumption of goods, duty should not be charged in respect of excise goods which, under certain circumstances, have been totally destroyed or are irretrievably lost. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Since excise duty is a tax on the consumption of goods, duty should not be charged in respect of excise goods which, under certain circumstances, have been totally destroyed or are irretrievably lost.

| (9) | In addition to total destruction or irretrievable loss of goods, partial losses may occur due to the nature of the goods. Except under duly justified circumstances, no duty should be charged for those partial losses insofar as they do not exceed the pre‐established common partial loss thresholds. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

In addition to total destruction or irretrievable loss of goods, partial losses may occur due to the nature of the goods. Except under duly justified circumstances, no duty should be charged for those partial losses insofar as they do not exceed the pre‐established common partial loss thresholds.

| (10) | In case of unintentional excess of goods discovered during a movement under a duty suspension movement, Member States should be able to permit the excess goods to be introduced in a tax warehouse under duty suspension. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

In case of unintentional excess of goods discovered during a movement under a duty suspension movement, Member States should be able to permit the excess goods to be introduced in a tax warehouse under duty suspension.

| (11) | In order to ensure uniform treatment of partial losses throughout the Union, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) should be delegated to the Commission in respect of determining the common partial loss thresholds. When determining these partial loss thresholds, the Commission should take into account in particular aspects related to the physical and chemical characteristics of the goods (such as nature of excise goods, especially energy products (volatility), the ambient temperature during movement, the distance of movement or time consumed during movement). It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making (8). In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

In order to ensure uniform treatment of partial losses throughout the Union, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) should be delegated to the Commission in respect of determining the common partial loss thresholds. When determining these partial loss thresholds, the Commission should take into account in particular aspects related to the physical and chemical characteristics of the goods (such as nature of excise goods, especially energy products (volatility), the ambient temperature during movement, the distance of movement or time consumed during movement). It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making (8). In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.

| (12) | Arrangements for the collection and reimbursement of duty have an impact on the proper functioning of the internal market and should therefore follow non‐discriminatory criteria. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

Arrangements for the collection and reimbursement of duty have an impact on the proper functioning of the internal market and should therefore follow non‐discriminatory criteria.

| (13) | In the event of an irregularity during movements of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement, excise duty should be due in the Member State in the territory of which the irregularity leading to a release for consumption has been committed or, if it is not possible to establish where the irregularity has been committed, it should be due in the Member State where the irregularity has been detected. Where excise goods do not arrive at their destination and no irregularity has been detected, the irregularity shall be deemed to have occurred in the Member State of dispatch. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

In the event of an irregularity during movements of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement, excise duty should be due in the Member State in the territory of which the irregularity leading to a release for consumption has been committed or, if it is not possible to establish where the irregularity has been committed, it should be due in the Member State where the irregularity has been detected. Where excise goods do not arrive at their destination and no irregularity has been detected, the irregularity shall be deemed to have occurred in the Member State of dispatch.

| (14) | In addition to the cases of reimbursement provided for in this Directive, Member States should, where the purpose of this Directive so requires, reimburse excise duty paid on excise goods released for consumption. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

In addition to the cases of reimbursement provided for in this Directive, Member States should, where the purpose of this Directive so requires, reimburse excise duty paid on excise goods released for consumption.

| (15) | The rules and conditions for the deliveries which are exempt from the payment of excise duty should remain harmonised. For the exempted deliveries to organisations situated in other Member States, use should be made of an exemption certificate. |
| --- | --- |

(15)

The rules and conditions for the deliveries which are exempt from the payment of excise duty should remain harmonised. For the exempted deliveries to organisations situated in other Member States, use should be made of an exemption certificate.

| (16) | In order to ensure uniform conditions regarding the form of the exemption certificate, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9). |
| --- | --- |

(16)

In order to ensure uniform conditions regarding the form of the exemption certificate, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (9).

| (17) | The situations in which tax-free sales to travellers leaving the territory of the Union are allowed should be clearly determined with a view to avoiding evasion and abuse. Since persons travelling over land can move more frequently and more freely as compared to persons travelling by boat or aircraft, the risk of non-respect of the duty and tax free import allowances by the traveller and consequently the control burden for the customs authorities is substantially higher in the case of travel over land. It is therefore appropriate to provide that excise duty-free sales at land borders should not be allowed. |
| --- | --- |

(17)

The situations in which tax-free sales to travellers leaving the territory of the Union are allowed should be clearly determined with a view to avoiding evasion and abuse. Since persons travelling over land can move more frequently and more freely as compared to persons travelling by boat or aircraft, the risk of non-respect of the duty and tax free import allowances by the traveller and consequently the control burden for the customs authorities is substantially higher in the case of travel over land. It is therefore appropriate to provide that excise duty-free sales at land borders should not be allowed.

| (18) | Since checks need to be carried out in production and storage facilities in order to ensure that the duty is collected, it is necessary to retain a system of warehouses, subject to authorisation by the competent authorities, for the purpose of facilitating such checks. It should be understood that holding or storing of excise goods implies physical possession of these goods. |
| --- | --- |

(18)

Since checks need to be carried out in production and storage facilities in order to ensure that the duty is collected, it is necessary to retain a system of warehouses, subject to authorisation by the competent authorities, for the purpose of facilitating such checks. It should be understood that holding or storing of excise goods implies physical possession of these goods.

| (19) | It is also necessary to lay down requirements to be complied with by authorised warehousekeepers and economic operators without authorised warehousekeeper status. |
| --- | --- |

(19)

It is also necessary to lay down requirements to be complied with by authorised warehousekeepers and economic operators without authorised warehousekeeper status.

| (20) | It should be possible for excise goods, prior to their release for consumption, to move within the Union under suspension of excise duty. Such movement should be allowed from a tax warehouse to various destinations, in particular another tax warehouse but also to places equivalent for the purposes of this Directive. |
| --- | --- |

(20)

It should be possible for excise goods, prior to their release for consumption, to move within the Union under suspension of excise duty. Such movement should be allowed from a tax warehouse to various destinations, in particular another tax warehouse but also to places equivalent for the purposes of this Directive.

| (21) | The movement of excise goods under suspension of duty should also be allowed from their place of importation to those destinations and accordingly provision should be made with regard to the status of the person allowed to dispatch, but not allowed to hold or store, the goods from that place of importation. |
| --- | --- |

(21)

The movement of excise goods under suspension of duty should also be allowed from their place of importation to those destinations and accordingly provision should be made with regard to the status of the person allowed to dispatch, but not allowed to hold or store, the goods from that place of importation.

| (22) | In order to ensure the proper application of the provision concerning the end of the movement of excise goods under suspension, it should be clarified that the movement ends when the consignee is in a position to know precisely what quantity of goods he has actually received. The unloading and entering into the accounts may be used as evidence for the end of the movement. |
| --- | --- |

(22)

In order to ensure the proper application of the provision concerning the end of the movement of excise goods under suspension, it should be clarified that the movement ends when the consignee is in a position to know precisely what quantity of goods he has actually received. The unloading and entering into the accounts may be used as evidence for the end of the movement.

| (23) | In order to allow the use of the external transit procedure following the export procedure, the customs office of exit should become a possible destination of a movement under excise duty suspension. The moment when the duty suspension arrangement ends in that case should be specified. It should be specified that the competent authorities in the Member State of export should complete the report of export on the basis of the confirmation of exit which the customs office of exit sends to the customs office of export at the start of the external transit procedure. In order to allow the external transit procedure to take over the responsibilities for the excise goods under this Directive, Article 189 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 (10) has been amended by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1063 (11). Consequently, Union excise goods should also be allowed to be placed under the external transit procedure. |
| --- | --- |

(23)

In order to allow the use of the external transit procedure following the export procedure, the customs office of exit should become a possible destination of a movement under excise duty suspension. The moment when the duty suspension arrangement ends in that case should be specified. It should be specified that the competent authorities in the Member State of export should complete the report of export on the basis of the confirmation of exit which the customs office of exit sends to the customs office of export at the start of the external transit procedure. In order to allow the external transit procedure to take over the responsibilities for the excise goods under this Directive, Article 189 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 (10) has been amended by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1063 (11). Consequently, Union excise goods should also be allowed to be placed under the external transit procedure.

| (24) | In order to enable the competent authorities to ensure consistency between the electronic administrative document and the customs declaration at importation when excise goods released for free circulation are moved from the place of importation under duty suspension, information on the consignor and the consignee and a proof that imported goods will be dispatched from the Member State of importation to another Member State should be provided by the person who declares the excise goods for importation to the competent authorities in the Member State of importation. |
| --- | --- |

(24)

In order to enable the competent authorities to ensure consistency between the electronic administrative document and the customs declaration at importation when excise goods released for free circulation are moved from the place of importation under duty suspension, information on the consignor and the consignee and a proof that imported goods will be dispatched from the Member State of importation to another Member State should be provided by the person who declares the excise goods for importation to the competent authorities in the Member State of importation.

| (25) | In order to safeguard the payment of excise duty in a case of non-discharge of the excise movement, Member States should require a guarantee, which should be lodged by the authorised warehousekeeper of dispatch or the registered consignor or, if the Member State of dispatch so allows, by another person involved in the movement, under the conditions set by the Member States. |
| --- | --- |

(25)

In order to safeguard the payment of excise duty in a case of non-discharge of the excise movement, Member States should require a guarantee, which should be lodged by the authorised warehousekeeper of dispatch or the registered consignor or, if the Member State of dispatch so allows, by another person involved in the movement, under the conditions set by the Member States.

| (26) | Several Member States already grant a guarantee waiver for the movement of energy products by fixed pipelines as that type of movement presents a very low fiscal risk. In order to harmonise the requirements for the provision of a guarantee in such cases, it is appropriate to waive the guarantee requirement for movements of energy products by fixed pipelines in all Member States. |
| --- | --- |

(26)

Several Member States already grant a guarantee waiver for the movement of energy products by fixed pipelines as that type of movement presents a very low fiscal risk. In order to harmonise the requirements for the provision of a guarantee in such cases, it is appropriate to waive the guarantee requirement for movements of energy products by fixed pipelines in all Member States.

| (27) | In order to ensure a speedy completion of the necessary formalities and facilitate the supervision of movements of excise goods moved under suspension of excise duty, it is appropriate to use the computerised system under Decision (EU) 2020/263 of the European Parliament and of the Council (12) for the exchange of electronic administrative documents between the persons and competent authorities concerned (‘the computerised system’). |
| --- | --- |

(27)

In order to ensure a speedy completion of the necessary formalities and facilitate the supervision of movements of excise goods moved under suspension of excise duty, it is appropriate to use the computerised system under Decision (EU) 2020/263 of the European Parliament and of the Council (12) for the exchange of electronic administrative documents between the persons and competent authorities concerned (‘the computerised system’).

| (28) | In order to ensure that the documents used in the context of movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement are readily understandable in all Member States and can be processed by the computerised system, including when the computerised system is not available, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of laying down the structure and content of those documents. |
| --- | --- |

(28)

In order to ensure that the documents used in the context of movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement are readily understandable in all Member States and can be processed by the computerised system, including when the computerised system is not available, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of laying down the structure and content of those documents.

| (29) | In order to ensure uniform conditions for the completion, presentation and submission of documents used in the context of movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement, including when the computerised system is not available, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. |
| --- | --- |

(29)

In order to ensure uniform conditions for the completion, presentation and submission of documents used in the context of movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement, including when the computerised system is not available, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

| (30) | It is appropriate to lay down the procedure by which economic operators inform the competent authorities of the Member States of dispatch and destination of consignments of excise goods. Due regard should be had to the situation of certain consignees not connected to the computerised system but who may receive excise goods moving under suspension of duty. |
| --- | --- |

(30)

It is appropriate to lay down the procedure by which economic operators inform the competent authorities of the Member States of dispatch and destination of consignments of excise goods. Due regard should be had to the situation of certain consignees not connected to the computerised system but who may receive excise goods moving under suspension of duty.

| (31) | In order to ensure the proper functioning of the rules relating to movement under suspension of excise duty, the conditions for the start of the movement as well as the end, and the discharge of responsibilities, should be clarified. |
| --- | --- |

(31)

In order to ensure the proper functioning of the rules relating to movement under suspension of excise duty, the conditions for the start of the movement as well as the end, and the discharge of responsibilities, should be clarified.

| (32) | In order to enable the competent authorities to ensure consistency between the electronic administrative document and the customs declaration for export in cases where excise goods are moved under duty suspension before being taken out of the territory of the Union, the person who declares the excise goods for export should inform the competent authorities in the Member State of export of the unique administrative reference code. |
| --- | --- |

(32)

In order to enable the competent authorities to ensure consistency between the electronic administrative document and the customs declaration for export in cases where excise goods are moved under duty suspension before being taken out of the territory of the Union, the person who declares the excise goods for export should inform the competent authorities in the Member State of export of the unique administrative reference code.

| (33) | In order to enable the Member State of dispatch to take appropriate action, the competent authority in the Member State of export should inform the competent authority in the Member State of dispatch of any irregularities that occur during the export or of the fact that the goods are no longer to be taken out of the territory of the Union. |
| --- | --- |

(33)

In order to enable the Member State of dispatch to take appropriate action, the competent authority in the Member State of export should inform the competent authority in the Member State of dispatch of any irregularities that occur during the export or of the fact that the goods are no longer to be taken out of the territory of the Union.

| (34) | In order to enable the consignor to assign a new destination to the excise goods, the Member State of dispatch should inform the consignor that the goods are no longer to be taken out of the territory of the Union. |
| --- | --- |

(34)

In order to enable the consignor to assign a new destination to the excise goods, the Member State of dispatch should inform the consignor that the goods are no longer to be taken out of the territory of the Union.

| (35) | In order to improve the possibility of carrying out controls during a movement of excise goods, the person accompanying the excise goods, or where there is no accompanying person, the transporter or carrier, should be able to present the unique administrative reference code, in any form, to the competent authorities to allow them to retrieve details of the excise goods. |
| --- | --- |

(35)

In order to improve the possibility of carrying out controls during a movement of excise goods, the person accompanying the excise goods, or where there is no accompanying person, the transporter or carrier, should be able to present the unique administrative reference code, in any form, to the competent authorities to allow them to retrieve details of the excise goods.

| (36) | It is necessary to determine the procedures to be used in a case in which the computerised system is not available. |
| --- | --- |

(36)

It is necessary to determine the procedures to be used in a case in which the computerised system is not available.

| (37) | In order to align the procedures under this Directive with those provided for in Article 335(4) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 (13), and in order to simplify the recognition of alternative evidence of exit in the Member State of dispatch, a minimum list of standard alternative evidence of exit, proving that the goods have been taken out of the territory of the Union, should be established. |
| --- | --- |

(37)

In order to align the procedures under this Directive with those provided for in Article 335(4) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 (13), and in order to simplify the recognition of alternative evidence of exit in the Member State of dispatch, a minimum list of standard alternative evidence of exit, proving that the goods have been taken out of the territory of the Union, should be established.

| (38) | Member States should be allowed to provide for a special arrangement for the movement of excise goods under suspension of duty which takes place entirely within their territory, or conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements with other Member States to allow simplification. Member States that are not party to bilateral or multilateral agreements should not be obliged to accept special arrangement made under such an agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(38)

Member States should be allowed to provide for a special arrangement for the movement of excise goods under suspension of duty which takes place entirely within their territory, or conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements with other Member States to allow simplification. Member States that are not party to bilateral or multilateral agreements should not be obliged to accept special arrangement made under such an agreement.

| (39) | It is appropriate to clarify the taxation and procedural rules relating to the movement of goods on which excise duty has already been paid in a Member State without changing their general structure. |
| --- | --- |

(39)

It is appropriate to clarify the taxation and procedural rules relating to the movement of goods on which excise duty has already been paid in a Member State without changing their general structure.

| (40) | Where excise goods are acquired by private individuals for their own use, and transported from the territory of one Member State to the territory of another Member State by them, excise duty should be paid in the Member State in which the excise goods are acquired, in accordance with the principle governing the internal market. |
| --- | --- |

(40)

Where excise goods are acquired by private individuals for their own use, and transported from the territory of one Member State to the territory of another Member State by them, excise duty should be paid in the Member State in which the excise goods are acquired, in accordance with the principle governing the internal market.

| (41) | Excise duty levels for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages applied by Member States vary due to a number of factors, such as fiscal and public health policy and such divergences in some cases are significant. In this context, Member States should be able to contain risks, which are facilitating tax fraud, avoidance or abuse, threatening or undermining public policy or protection of health and life of humans. Therefore Member States should be able to take appropriate and proportionate measures enabling them to determine whether excise goods transported from the territory of one Member State to the territory of another Member State by a private individual were acquired by that private individual for his or her own use. |
| --- | --- |

(41)

Excise duty levels for tobacco products and alcoholic beverages applied by Member States vary due to a number of factors, such as fiscal and public health policy and such divergences in some cases are significant. In this context, Member States should be able to contain risks, which are facilitating tax fraud, avoidance or abuse, threatening or undermining public policy or protection of health and life of humans. Therefore Member States should be able to take appropriate and proportionate measures enabling them to determine whether excise goods transported from the territory of one Member State to the territory of another Member State by a private individual were acquired by that private individual for his or her own use.

| (42) | In cases where, following their release for consumption in a Member State, excise goods are delivered for commercial purposes in another Member State, it is necessary to establish that excise duty is due in the second Member State. For those purposes, it is necessary, in particular, to define the concept of ‘delivered for commercial purposes’. |
| --- | --- |

(42)

In cases where, following their release for consumption in a Member State, excise goods are delivered for commercial purposes in another Member State, it is necessary to establish that excise duty is due in the second Member State. For those purposes, it is necessary, in particular, to define the concept of ‘delivered for commercial purposes’.

| (43) | The computerised system, which is currently used for the movement of excise goods under duty suspension, should be extended to the movement of excise goods which have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes. The use of that computerised system will simplify the monitoring of such movements and ensure the proper functioning of the internal market. |
| --- | --- |

(43)

The computerised system, which is currently used for the movement of excise goods under duty suspension, should be extended to the movement of excise goods which have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes. The use of that computerised system will simplify the monitoring of such movements and ensure the proper functioning of the internal market.

| (44) | Where excise goods are released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State to be delivered there for commercial purposes, it is appropriate to clarify who is liable to pay the duty and when the duty is chargeable. |
| --- | --- |

(44)

Where excise goods are released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State to be delivered there for commercial purposes, it is appropriate to clarify who is liable to pay the duty and when the duty is chargeable.

| (45) | To avoid unnecessary investment, the computerisation of the movement of excise goods which are released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes should be set up reusing as much of the existing arrangements for movements under duty suspension as possible. For that purpose and in order to facilitate such movements the guarantee provisions for those movements should be aligned to the guarantee provisions for movements under excise duty suspension in order to widen the choice of guarantors. |
| --- | --- |

(45)

To avoid unnecessary investment, the computerisation of the movement of excise goods which are released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes should be set up reusing as much of the existing arrangements for movements under duty suspension as possible. For that purpose and in order to facilitate such movements the guarantee provisions for those movements should be aligned to the guarantee provisions for movements under excise duty suspension in order to widen the choice of guarantors.

| (46) | In order to facilitate the existing registration of economic operators dealing with the duty suspension arrangements, it is necessary to give a tax warehouse and a registered consignor the possibility, after having notified the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch, to act as a certified consignor for excise goods which are released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes. At the same time a tax warehouse or a registered consignee should be able to act as a certified consignee for those excise goods. |
| --- | --- |

(46)

In order to facilitate the existing registration of economic operators dealing with the duty suspension arrangements, it is necessary to give a tax warehouse and a registered consignor the possibility, after having notified the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch, to act as a certified consignor for excise goods which are released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes. At the same time a tax warehouse or a registered consignee should be able to act as a certified consignee for those excise goods.

| (47) | It is necessary to determine the procedures to be used where the computerised system is not available and a fallback document is to be used. |
| --- | --- |

(47)

It is necessary to determine the procedures to be used where the computerised system is not available and a fallback document is to be used.

| (48) | Member States should be allowed to provide for a special arrangement for the movement of excise goods which are released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes on the basis of bilateral or multilateral agreements with other Member States to allow simplification. Member States that are not party to bilateral or multilateral agreements should not be obliged to accept special arrangement made under such an agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(48)

Member States should be allowed to provide for a special arrangement for the movement of excise goods which are released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes on the basis of bilateral or multilateral agreements with other Member States to allow simplification. Member States that are not party to bilateral or multilateral agreements should not be obliged to accept special arrangement made under such an agreement.

| (49) | In order to ensure that the documents used in the context of movement of excise goods considered to be delivered for commercial purposes are readily understandable in all Member States and can be processed by the computerised system, including when the computerised system is not available, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of laying down the structure and content of those documents. |
| --- | --- |

(49)

In order to ensure that the documents used in the context of movement of excise goods considered to be delivered for commercial purposes are readily understandable in all Member States and can be processed by the computerised system, including when the computerised system is not available, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of laying down the structure and content of those documents.

| (50) | In order to ensure uniform conditions for the completion, presentation and submission of documents used in the context of movement of excise goods considered to be delivered for commercial purposes, including when the computerised system is not available, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011. |
| --- | --- |

(50)

In order to ensure uniform conditions for the completion, presentation and submission of documents used in the context of movement of excise goods considered to be delivered for commercial purposes, including when the computerised system is not available, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

| (51) | Where excise goods are acquired by persons who are not authorised warehousekeepers or registered consignees and who do not carry out an independent economic activity, and those goods are dispatched or transported by a consignor who carries out an independent economic activity or who dispatches or transports the goods on his or her own behalf, excise duty should be paid in the Member State of destination. Provision should be made for a procedure to be followed by the consignor for payment of the excise duty. In order to ensure the payment in the Member State of destination, the consignor or his or her tax representative should register his or her identity and guarantee payment of the excise duty with the competent office specifically designated under the conditions laid down by the Member State of destination. In order to facilitate those arrangements, the consignor should be able to choose whether to use a tax representative to comply with requirements of registration and payment of guarantee. If neither the consignor nor the tax representative fulfils these requirements, the consignee should be held liable to pay the excise duties in the Member State of destination. |
| --- | --- |

(51)

Where excise goods are acquired by persons who are not authorised warehousekeepers or registered consignees and who do not carry out an independent economic activity, and those goods are dispatched or transported by a consignor who carries out an independent economic activity or who dispatches or transports the goods on his or her own behalf, excise duty should be paid in the Member State of destination. Provision should be made for a procedure to be followed by the consignor for payment of the excise duty. In order to ensure the payment in the Member State of destination, the consignor or his or her tax representative should register his or her identity and guarantee payment of the excise duty with the competent office specifically designated under the conditions laid down by the Member State of destination. In order to facilitate those arrangements, the consignor should be able to choose whether to use a tax representative to comply with requirements of registration and payment of guarantee. If neither the consignor nor the tax representative fulfils these requirements, the consignee should be held liable to pay the excise duties in the Member State of destination.

| (52) | In order to avoid conflicts of interest between Member States and double taxation in cases in which excise goods already released for consumption in the territory of one Member State move within the Union, provision should be made for situations in which excise goods, following their release for consumption, are subject to irregularities. |
| --- | --- |

(52)

In order to avoid conflicts of interest between Member States and double taxation in cases in which excise goods already released for consumption in the territory of one Member State move within the Union, provision should be made for situations in which excise goods, following their release for consumption, are subject to irregularities.

| (53) | Member States should be able to provide that goods released for consumption carry tax markings or national identification marks. The use of those markings or marks should not place any obstacle in the way of intra-Union trade. Since the use of those markings or marks should not give rise to a double taxation burden, it should be made clear that any amount paid or guaranteed to obtain such markings or marks is to be reimbursed, remitted or released by the Member State which issued the marks if excise duty has become chargeable and has been collected in another Member State. However, in order to prevent any abuse, Member States which issued such markings or marks should be able to make reimbursement, remission or release conditional on the presentation of evidence that they have been removed or destroyed. |
| --- | --- |

(53)

Member States should be able to provide that goods released for consumption carry tax markings or national identification marks. The use of those markings or marks should not place any obstacle in the way of intra-Union trade. Since the use of those markings or marks should not give rise to a double taxation burden, it should be made clear that any amount paid or guaranteed to obtain such markings or marks is to be reimbursed, remitted or released by the Member State which issued the marks if excise duty has become chargeable and has been collected in another Member State. However, in order to prevent any abuse, Member States which issued such markings or marks should be able to make reimbursement, remission or release conditional on the presentation of evidence that they have been removed or destroyed.

| (54) | Application of the normal requirements relating to the movement and monitoring of excise goods could put a disproportionate administrative burden on small wine producers. Therefore, Member States should be able to exempt those producers from certain requirements. |
| --- | --- |

(54)

Application of the normal requirements relating to the movement and monitoring of excise goods could put a disproportionate administrative burden on small wine producers. Therefore, Member States should be able to exempt those producers from certain requirements.

| (55) | Account should be taken of the fact that, with regard to excise goods used as stores for boats and aircraft, no suitable common approach has yet been found. |
| --- | --- |

(55)

Account should be taken of the fact that, with regard to excise goods used as stores for boats and aircraft, no suitable common approach has yet been found.

| (56) | With respect to excise goods used for the construction and maintenance of cross border bridges between Member States, those Member States should be allowed to adopt measures derogating from the normal rules and procedures applying to excise goods moving from the territory of one Member State to the territory of another Member State, in order to reduce the administrative burden. |
| --- | --- |

(56)

With respect to excise goods used for the construction and maintenance of cross border bridges between Member States, those Member States should be allowed to adopt measures derogating from the normal rules and procedures applying to excise goods moving from the territory of one Member State to the territory of another Member State, in order to reduce the administrative burden.

| (57) | In order to allow a period of adjustment to the electronic control system for the movement of goods, Member States should be able to benefit from a transitional period during which such movement may continue to be carried out subject to the formalities laid down by Directive 2008/118/EC. |
| --- | --- |

(57)

In order to allow a period of adjustment to the electronic control system for the movement of goods, Member States should be able to benefit from a transitional period during which such movement may continue to be carried out subject to the formalities laid down by Directive 2008/118/EC.

| (58) | Since the objective of this Directive, namely ensuring common arrangements in relation to certain aspects of excise duty, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve that objective. |
| --- | --- |

(58)

Since the objective of this Directive, namely ensuring common arrangements in relation to certain aspects of excise duty, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary to achieve that objective.

| (59) | The obligation to transpose this Directive into national law should be confined to those provisions which represent a substantive amendment as compared to the earlier Directive. The obligation to transpose the provisions which are unchanged arises under the earlier Directive. |
| --- | --- |

(59)

The obligation to transpose this Directive into national law should be confined to those provisions which represent a substantive amendment as compared to the earlier Directive. The obligation to transpose the provisions which are unchanged arises under the earlier Directive.

| (60) | This Directive should be without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time-limits for the transposition into national law and the date of application of the Directives set out in Annex I, Part B, |
| --- | --- |

(60)

This Directive should be without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time-limits for the transposition into national law and the date of application of the Directives set out in Annex I, Part B,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

CHAPTER I

General provisions

Article 1

Subject matter

1.   This Directive lays down general arrangements for excise duty which is levied directly or indirectly on the consumption of the following goods (‘excise goods’):

| (a) | energy products and electricity covered by Directive 2003/96/EC; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

energy products and electricity covered by Directive 2003/96/EC;

| (b) | alcohol and alcoholic beverages covered by Directives 92/83/EEC and 92/84/EEC; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

alcohol and alcoholic beverages covered by Directives 92/83/EEC and 92/84/EEC;

| (c) | manufactured tobacco covered by Directive 2011/64/EU. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

manufactured tobacco covered by Directive 2011/64/EU.

2.   Member States may levy other indirect taxes on excise goods for specific purposes, provided that those taxes comply with the Union tax rules applicable to excise duty or value added tax as far as determination of the tax base, calculation of the tax, chargeability and monitoring of the tax are concerned, but not including the provisions on exemptions.

3.   Member States may levy taxes on:

| (a) | products other than excise goods; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

products other than excise goods;

| (b) | the supply of services, including those relating to excise goods, which cannot be characterised as turnover taxes. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the supply of services, including those relating to excise goods, which cannot be characterised as turnover taxes.

However, the levying of such taxes may not, in trade between Member States, give rise to formalities connected with the crossing of frontiers.

Article 2

Application of the Union Customs Code to excise goods

1.   The formalities laid down by the Union customs provisions for the entry of goods into the customs territory of the Union shall apply mutatis mutandis to the entry of excise goods into the territory of the Union from one of the territories referred to in Article 4(2).

2.   The formalities laid down by the Union customs provisions for the exit of goods from the customs territory of the Union shall apply mutatis mutandis to the exit of excise goods from the territory of the Union to one of the territories referred to in Article 4(2).

3.   By way of derogation from paragraphs 1 and 2, Finland shall be authorised, for movements of excise goods between the territory of that Member State and the territories referred to in point (c) of Article 4(2), to apply the same procedures as those applied for such movements within the territory of that Member State.

4.   Articles 14 to 46 shall not apply to excise goods that have the customs status of non‐Union goods as defined in point (24) of Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (14).

Article 3

Definitions

For the purpose of this Directive, the following definitions apply:

| (1) | ‘authorised warehousekeeper’ means a natural or legal person authorised by the competent authorities of a Member State, in the course of the business of that person, to produce, process, hold, store, receive or dispatch excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement in a tax warehouse; |
| --- | --- |

(1)

‘authorised warehousekeeper’ means a natural or legal person authorised by the competent authorities of a Member State, in the course of the business of that person, to produce, process, hold, store, receive or dispatch excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement in a tax warehouse;

| (2) | ‘territory of a Member State’ means the territory of a Member State to which the Treaties are applicable, in accordance with Articles 349 and 355 of the TFEU, with the exception of third territories; |
| --- | --- |

(2)

‘territory of a Member State’ means the territory of a Member State to which the Treaties are applicable, in accordance with Articles 349 and 355 of the TFEU, with the exception of third territories;

| (3) | ‘territory of the Union’ means the territories of the Member States; |
| --- | --- |

(3)

‘territory of the Union’ means the territories of the Member States;

| (4) | ‘third territories’ means the territories referred to in Article 4(2) and (3); |
| --- | --- |

(4)

‘third territories’ means the territories referred to in Article 4(2) and (3);

| (5) | ‘third countries’ means any State or territory to which the Treaties are not applicable; |
| --- | --- |

(5)

‘third countries’ means any State or territory to which the Treaties are not applicable;

| (6) | ‘duty suspension arrangement’ means a tax arrangement applied to the production, processing, holding, storage or movement of excise goods whereby excise duty is suspended; |
| --- | --- |

(6)

‘duty suspension arrangement’ means a tax arrangement applied to the production, processing, holding, storage or movement of excise goods whereby excise duty is suspended;

| (7) | ‘importation’ means the release of goods for free circulation in accordance with Article 201 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013; |
| --- | --- |

(7)

‘importation’ means the release of goods for free circulation in accordance with Article 201 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013;

| (8) | ‘irregular entry’ means an entry of goods into the territory of the Union, which have not been placed under release for free circulation in accordance with Article 201 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 and for which a customs debt under Article 79(1) of that Regulation has been incurred, or would have been incurred if the goods had been subject to customs duty; |
| --- | --- |

(8)

‘irregular entry’ means an entry of goods into the territory of the Union, which have not been placed under release for free circulation in accordance with Article 201 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 and for which a customs debt under Article 79(1) of that Regulation has been incurred, or would have been incurred if the goods had been subject to customs duty;

| (9) | ‘registered consignee’ means a natural or legal person authorised by the competent authorities of the Member State of destination to receive, in the course of the business of that person and under the conditions fixed by those authorities, excise goods moving under a duty suspension arrangement from the territory of another Member State; |
| --- | --- |

(9)

‘registered consignee’ means a natural or legal person authorised by the competent authorities of the Member State of destination to receive, in the course of the business of that person and under the conditions fixed by those authorities, excise goods moving under a duty suspension arrangement from the territory of another Member State;

| (10) | ‘registered consignor’ means a natural or legal person authorised by the competent authorities of the Member State of importation, to only dispatch excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement upon their release for free circulation in accordance with Article 201 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 in the course of the business of that person and under the conditions fixed by those authorities; |
| --- | --- |

(10)

‘registered consignor’ means a natural or legal person authorised by the competent authorities of the Member State of importation, to only dispatch excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement upon their release for free circulation in accordance with Article 201 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 in the course of the business of that person and under the conditions fixed by those authorities;

| (11) | ‘tax warehouse’ means a place where excise goods are produced, processed, held, stored, received or dispatched under duty suspension arrangements by an authorised warehousekeeper in the course of the business of that person, subject to certain conditions laid down by the competent authorities of the Member State where the tax warehouse is located; |
| --- | --- |

(11)

‘tax warehouse’ means a place where excise goods are produced, processed, held, stored, received or dispatched under duty suspension arrangements by an authorised warehousekeeper in the course of the business of that person, subject to certain conditions laid down by the competent authorities of the Member State where the tax warehouse is located;

| (12) | ‘certified consignor’ means a natural or legal person registered with the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch in order to dispatch excise goods, in the course of the business of that person, that have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and then moved to the territory of another Member State; |
| --- | --- |

(12)

‘certified consignor’ means a natural or legal person registered with the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch in order to dispatch excise goods, in the course of the business of that person, that have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and then moved to the territory of another Member State;

| (13) | ‘certified consignee’ means a natural or legal person registered with the competent authorities of the Member State of destination in order to receive excise goods, in the course of the business of that person, that have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and then moved to the territory of another Member State; |
| --- | --- |

(13)

‘certified consignee’ means a natural or legal person registered with the competent authorities of the Member State of destination in order to receive excise goods, in the course of the business of that person, that have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and then moved to the territory of another Member State;

| (14) | ‘Member State of destination’ means the Member State to which excise goods are to be delivered or used in accordance with the provisions of this Directive; |
| --- | --- |

(14)

‘Member State of destination’ means the Member State to which excise goods are to be delivered or used in accordance with the provisions of this Directive;

| (15) | ‘remission’ means the waiving of the obligation to pay an amount of excise duty that has not been paid; |
| --- | --- |

(15)

‘remission’ means the waiving of the obligation to pay an amount of excise duty that has not been paid;

| (16) | ‘reimbursement’ means the refunding of an amount of excise duty that has been paid. |
| --- | --- |

(16)

‘reimbursement’ means the refunding of an amount of excise duty that has been paid.

Article 4

Territorial application

1.   This Directive and Directives 92/83/EEC, 92/84/EEC, 2003/96/EC and 2011/64/EU shall apply to the territory of the Union.

2.   This Directive and Directives 92/83/EEC, 92/84/EEC, 2003/96/EC and 2011/64/EU shall not apply to the following territories forming part of the customs territory of the Union:

| (a) | the Canary Islands; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the Canary Islands;

| (b) | the French territories referred to in Article 349 and Article 355(1) of the TFEU; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the French territories referred to in Article 349 and Article 355(1) of the TFEU;

| (c) | the Åland Islands; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the Åland Islands;

| (d) | the Channel Islands. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the Channel Islands.

3.   This Directive and Directives 92/83/EEC, 92/84/EEC, 2003/96/EC and 2011/64/EU shall not apply to the territories within the scope of Article 355(3) of the TFEU, nor to the following other territories not forming part of the customs territory of the Union:

| (a) | the Island of Heligoland; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the Island of Heligoland;

| (b) | the territory of Büsingen; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the territory of Büsingen;

| (c) | Ceuta; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

Ceuta;

| (d) | Melilla; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

Melilla;

| (e) | Livigno. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

Livigno.

4.   Spain may give notice, by means of a declaration, that this Directive and Directives 92/83/EEC, 92/84/EEC, 2003/96/EC and 2011/64/EU shall apply to the Canary Islands — subject to measures to adapt to their extreme remoteness — in respect of all or some of the excise goods referred to in Article 1, from the first day of the second month following deposit of such declaration.

5.   France may give notice, by means of a declaration, that this Directive and Directives 92/83/EEC, 92/84/EEC, 2003/96/EC and 2011/64/EU apply to the territories referred to in point (b) of paragraph 2, subject to measures to adapt to their extreme remoteness, in respect of all or some of the excise goods referred to in Article 1, from the first day of the second month following the deposit of such declaration.

6.   The provisions of this Directive shall not prevent Greece from maintaining the specific status granted to Mount Athos as guaranteed by Article 105 of the Greek Constitution.

Article 5

Special territorial status

1.   In view of the conventions and treaties concluded with France, Italy, Cyprus and the United Kingdom respectively, the Principality of Monaco, San Marino, the United Kingdom Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia, and the Isle of Man shall not be regarded, for the purposes of this Directive, as third countries.

2.   Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that movements of excise goods originating in or intended for:

| (a) | the Principality of Monaco are treated as movements originating in or intended for France; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the Principality of Monaco are treated as movements originating in or intended for France;

| (b) | San Marino are treated as movements originating in or intended for Italy; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

San Marino are treated as movements originating in or intended for Italy;

| (c) | United Kingdom Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia are treated as movements originating in or intended for Cyprus; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

United Kingdom Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia are treated as movements originating in or intended for Cyprus;

| (d) | the Isle of Man are treated as movements originating in or intended for the United Kingdom. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the Isle of Man are treated as movements originating in or intended for the United Kingdom.

3.   Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that movements of excise goods originating in or intended for Jungholz and Mittelberg (Kleines Walsertal) are treated as movements originating in or intended for Germany.

CHAPTER II

CHAPTER II

General procedural provisions

General procedural provisions

Section 1

Section 1

Taxable event, chargeability, irregularities during a movement under duty suspension

Taxable event, chargeability, irregularities during a movement under duty suspension

Article 6

Taxable event, time and place of chargeability, destruction and irretrievable losses

1.   Excise goods shall be subject to excise duty at the time of:

| (a) | their production, including, where applicable, their extraction, within the territory of the Union; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

their production, including, where applicable, their extraction, within the territory of the Union;

| (b) | their importation or their irregular entry into the territory of the Union. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

their importation or their irregular entry into the territory of the Union.

2.   Excise duty shall become chargeable at the time, and in the Member State, of release for consumption.

3.   For the purposes of this Directive, ‘release for consumption’ means any of the following:

| (a) | the departure of excise goods, including irregular departure, from a duty suspension arrangement; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the departure of excise goods, including irregular departure, from a duty suspension arrangement;

| (b) | the holding or storage of excise goods, including cases of irregularity, outside a duty suspension arrangement where excise duty has not been levied pursuant to the applicable provisions of Union law and national legislation; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the holding or storage of excise goods, including cases of irregularity, outside a duty suspension arrangement where excise duty has not been levied pursuant to the applicable provisions of Union law and national legislation;

| (c) | the production, including processing, of excise goods and irregular production or processing, outside a duty suspension arrangement; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the production, including processing, of excise goods and irregular production or processing, outside a duty suspension arrangement;

| (d) | the importation of excise goods, unless the excise goods are placed, immediately upon importation, under a duty suspension arrangement, or the irregular entry of excise goods, unless the customs debt was extinguished under points (e), (f), (g) or (k) of Article 124(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. If the customs debt was extinguished according to the point (e) of Article 124(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, Member States may provide in their national law for a penalty taking into account the amount of excise debt which would have been incurred. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the importation of excise goods, unless the excise goods are placed, immediately upon importation, under a duty suspension arrangement, or the irregular entry of excise goods, unless the customs debt was extinguished under points (e), (f), (g) or (k) of Article 124(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. If the customs debt was extinguished according to the point (e) of Article 124(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, Member States may provide in their national law for a penalty taking into account the amount of excise debt which would have been incurred.

4.   The time of departure from a duty suspension arrangement as referred to in point (a) of paragraph 3 shall be deemed to be:

| (a) | the time of receipt of the excise goods by the registered consignee in the situations referred to in point (a)(ii) of Article 16(1); |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the time of receipt of the excise goods by the registered consignee in the situations referred to in point (a)(ii) of Article 16(1);

| (b) | the time of receipt of the excise goods by the consignee in the situations referred to in point (a)(iv) of Article 16(1); |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the time of receipt of the excise goods by the consignee in the situations referred to in point (a)(iv) of Article 16(1);

| (c) | the time of receipt of the excise goods at the place of direct delivery in the situations referred to in Article 16(4). |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the time of receipt of the excise goods at the place of direct delivery in the situations referred to in Article 16(4).

5.   The total destruction or irretrievable loss, total or partial, of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement, as a result of unforeseeable circumstances or force majeure, or as a consequence of an authorisation to destroy the goods by the competent authorities of the Member State, shall not be considered a release for consumption.

6.   For the purposes of this Directive, goods shall be considered totally destroyed or irretrievably lost when they are rendered unusable as excise goods.

7.   Partial loss due to the nature of the goods that occurs during a duty suspension movement between the Member States shall not be considered a release for consumption in so far as the amount of loss falls below the common partial loss threshold for those excise goods, unless a Member State has reasonable cause to suspect fraud or irregularity. That part of a partial loss which exceeds the common partial loss threshold for those excise goods shall be treated as a release for consumption.

8.   A Member State may lay down its own rules for the treatment of partial losses under duty suspension arrangement not covered by paragraph 7.

9.   The total destruction or irretrievable loss, total or partial, of the excise goods as referred to in paragraph 5 shall be proven to the satisfaction of the competent authorities of the Member State where the total destruction or irretrievable loss, total or partial, occurred or, when it is not possible to determine where the loss occurred, where it was detected.

Where total destruction or irretrievable loss, total or partial, of the excise goods is established, the guarantee lodged in accordance with Article 17 shall be released, fully or partially, as appropriate, upon the production of satisfactory proof.

10.   The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 51 establishing the common partial loss thresholds referred to in paragraph 7 of this Article and in Article 45(2) having regard, inter alia, to the nature of the goods, the physical and chemical characteristics of the goods, the ambient temperature during the movement, the distance of the movement or time consumed during movement, specifying the excise goods, the corresponding common partial loss threshold as a percentage of the total quantity and other relevant aspects related to transport of the goods.

In the absence of common partial loss thresholds, Member States shall continue to apply the national provisions.

Article 7

Person liable to pay excise duty

1.   The person liable to pay the excise duty that has become chargeable shall be:

| (a) | in relation to the departure of excise goods from a duty suspension arrangement as referred to in point (a) of Article 6(3):






  (i) | the authorised warehousekeeper, the registered consignee or any other person releasing the excise goods or on whose behalf the excise goods are released from the duty suspension arrangement and, in the case of irregular departure from the tax warehouse, any other person involved in that departure; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

in relation to the departure of excise goods from a duty suspension arrangement as referred to in point (a) of Article 6(3):

(i)

the authorised warehousekeeper, the registered consignee or any other person releasing the excise goods or on whose behalf the excise goods are released from the duty suspension arrangement and, in the case of irregular departure from the tax warehouse, any other person involved in that departure;

| (ii) | in the case of an irregularity during a movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement as defined in Article 9(1), (2) and (4): the authorised warehousekeeper, the registered consignor or any other person who guaranteed the payment in accordance with Article 17(1) and (3) and any person who participated in the irregular departure and who was aware or who should reasonably have been aware of the irregular nature of the departure; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

in the case of an irregularity during a movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement as defined in Article 9(1), (2) and (4): the authorised warehousekeeper, the registered consignor or any other person who guaranteed the payment in accordance with Article 17(1) and (3) and any person who participated in the irregular departure and who was aware or who should reasonably have been aware of the irregular nature of the departure;

| (b) | in relation to the holding or storage of excise goods as referred to in point (b) of Article 6(3): the person holding or storing the excise goods, or any other person involved in the holding or storage of the excise goods, or any combination of such persons in accordance with the principle of joint and several liability; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

in relation to the holding or storage of excise goods as referred to in point (b) of Article 6(3): the person holding or storing the excise goods, or any other person involved in the holding or storage of the excise goods, or any combination of such persons in accordance with the principle of joint and several liability;

| (c) | in relation to the production, including processing, of excise goods as referred to in point (c) of Article 6(3): the person producing the excise goods and, in the case of irregular production, any other person involved in their production; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

in relation to the production, including processing, of excise goods as referred to in point (c) of Article 6(3): the person producing the excise goods and, in the case of irregular production, any other person involved in their production;

| (d) | in relation to the importation or irregular entry of excise goods as referred to in point (d) of Article 6(3): the declarant as defined in point (15) of Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 (the ‘declarant’) or any other person as referred to in Article 77(3) of that Regulation and, in the case of irregular entry, any other person involved in that irregular entry. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

in relation to the importation or irregular entry of excise goods as referred to in point (d) of Article 6(3): the declarant as defined in point (15) of Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 (the ‘declarant’) or any other person as referred to in Article 77(3) of that Regulation and, in the case of irregular entry, any other person involved in that irregular entry.

2.   Where several persons are liable for payment of the same excise duty, they shall be jointly and severally liable for such debt.

Article 8

Chargeability conditions and rates of excise duty to be used

The chargeability conditions and rate of excise duty to be applied shall be those in force on the date on which the duty becomes chargeable in the Member State where release for consumption takes place.

Excise duty shall be levied and collected and, where appropriate, reimbursed or remitted, according to the procedure laid down by each Member State. Member States shall apply the same procedures to national goods and to those from other Member States.

By way of derogation from the first paragraph, when excise duty rates are changed, stocks of excise goods already released for consumption may be subject, where appropriate, to an increase in, or a reduction of, the excise duty.

Article 9

Irregularities during movements of excise goods under duty suspension

1.   Where an irregularity has occurred during a movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement, giving rise to their release for consumption in accordance with point (a) of Article 6(3), the release for consumption shall take place in the territory of the Member State where the irregularity occurred.

2.   Where an irregularity has been detected during a movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement, giving rise to their release for consumption in accordance with point (a) of Article 6(3), and it is not possible to determine where the irregularity occurred, it shall be deemed to have occurred on the territory of the Member State in which and at the time when the irregularity was detected.

3.   In the situations referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2, the competent authorities of the Member States where the goods have been or are deemed to have been released for consumption shall inform the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch.

4.   Where excise goods moving under a duty suspension arrangement have not arrived at their destination and no irregularity giving rise to their release for consumption in accordance with point (a) of Article 6(3) has been detected during the movement, an irregularity shall be deemed to have occurred in the Member State of dispatch at the time when the movement began, unless, within a period of four months from the start of the movement in accordance with Article 19(1), evidence is provided to the satisfaction of the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch of the end of the movement in accordance with Article 19(2), or of the place where the irregularity occurred.

Where the person who guaranteed the payment in accordance with Article 17 has not been, or could not have been, informed that the goods have not arrived at their destination, a period of one month from the date of communication of this information by the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall be granted to enable that person to provide evidence of the end of the movement in accordance with Article 19(2), or of the place where the irregularity occurred.

5.   In the situations referred to in paragraphs 2 and 4, if, before the expiry of a period of three years from the date on which the movement began, in accordance with Article 19(1), it is ascertained in which Member State the irregularity actually occurred, paragraph 1 shall apply.

The competent authorities of the Member State where the irregularity occurred shall inform the competent authorities of the Member State where the excise duty was levied, which shall reimburse or remit it as soon as evidence of the levying of the excise duty in the other Member State has been provided.

6.   For the purposes of this Article, ‘irregularity’ means a situation occurring during a movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement, other than the one referred to in Article 6(5) and (6), due to which a movement, or a part of a movement of excise goods, has not ended in accordance with Article 19(2).

Section 2

Section 2

Reimbursement and remission

Reimbursement and remission

Article 10

Reimbursement and remission

In addition to the cases referred to in Article 37(4), Article 44(5), and Article 46(3), as well as those provided for by Directives 92/83/EEC, 92/84/EEC, 2003/96/EC and 2011/64/EU, excise duty on excise goods which have been released for consumption may, at the request of a person concerned, be reimbursed or remitted by the competent authorities of the Member State where those goods were released for consumption in the situations fixed by the Member State and in accordance with the conditions that the Member State shall lay down for the purpose of preventing any possible evasion or abuse.

Such reimbursement or remission may not give rise to exemptions other than those provided for in Article 11 or by Directives 92/83/EEC, 92/84/EEC, 2003/96/EC or 2011/64/EU.

Section 3

Section 3

Exemptions

Exemptions

Article 11

Exemptions from payment of excise duty

1.   Excise goods shall be exempted from payment of excise duty where they are intended to be used:

| (a) | in the context of diplomatic or consular relations; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

in the context of diplomatic or consular relations;

| (b) | by international organisations recognised as such by the public authorities of the host Member State, and by members of such organisations, within the limits and under the conditions laid down by the international conventions establishing such organisations or by headquarters agreements; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

by international organisations recognised as such by the public authorities of the host Member State, and by members of such organisations, within the limits and under the conditions laid down by the international conventions establishing such organisations or by headquarters agreements;

| (c) | by the armed forces of any Member State other than the Member State within which the excise duty is chargeable, for the use of those forces, for the civilian staff accompanying them or for supplying their messes or canteens when such forces take part in a defence effort carried out for the implementation of a Union activity under the common security and defence policy; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

by the armed forces of any Member State other than the Member State within which the excise duty is chargeable, for the use of those forces, for the civilian staff accompanying them or for supplying their messes or canteens when such forces take part in a defence effort carried out for the implementation of a Union activity under the common security and defence policy;

| (d) | by the armed forces of any State party to the North Atlantic Treaty other than the Member State within which the excise duty is chargeable, for the use of those forces, for the civilian staff accompanying them or for supplying their messes or canteens; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

by the armed forces of any State party to the North Atlantic Treaty other than the Member State within which the excise duty is chargeable, for the use of those forces, for the civilian staff accompanying them or for supplying their messes or canteens;

| (e) | by the armed forces of the United Kingdom stationed in Cyprus pursuant to the Treaty of Establishment concerning the Republic of Cyprus dated 16 August 1960, for the use of those forces, for the civilian staff accompanying them or for supplying their messes or canteens; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

by the armed forces of the United Kingdom stationed in Cyprus pursuant to the Treaty of Establishment concerning the Republic of Cyprus dated 16 August 1960, for the use of those forces, for the civilian staff accompanying them or for supplying their messes or canteens;

| (f) | for consumption under an agreement concluded with third countries or international organisations provided that such an agreement is allowed or authorised with regard to exemption from value added tax. |
| --- | --- |

(f)

for consumption under an agreement concluded with third countries or international organisations provided that such an agreement is allowed or authorised with regard to exemption from value added tax.

2.   Exemptions shall be subject to conditions and limitations laid down by the host Member State. Member States may grant the exemption by means of a refund of excise duty.

Article 12

Exemption certificate

1.   Excise goods moving from the territory of one Member State to the territory of another Member State under a duty suspension arrangement and subject to the exemption referred to in Article 11(1) shall be accompanied by an exemption certificate. The exemption certificate shall specify the nature and quantity of the excise goods to be delivered, the value of the goods and the identity of the exempt consignee and the host Member State certifying the exemption.

2.   Member States may use the exemption certificate referred to in paragraph 1 to cover other fields of indirect taxation and to ensure that the exemption certificate is compatible with conditions and limitations for the grant of exemptions in their national law.

3.   The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing the form to be used for the exemption certificate. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 52(2).

4.   The procedure laid down in Articles 20 to 27 shall not apply to the movements of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement to the armed forces referred to in point (d) of Article 11(1), if they are covered by a procedure which is directly based on the North Atlantic Treaty.

However, Member States may provide that the procedure laid down in Articles 20 to 27 shall be used for such movements taking place entirely within their territory or, by agreement between the Member States concerned, between their territories.

Article 13

Excise duty payment exemptions for passengers travelling to third countries or third territories

1.   Member States may exempt from payment of excise duty excise goods supplied by tax-free shops which are carried away in the personal luggage of travellers to a third territory or to a third country taking a flight or sea-crossing.

2.   Goods supplied on board an aircraft or ship during the flight or sea-crossing to a third territory or a third country shall be treated in the same way as goods supplied by tax-free shops.

3.   Member States shall take the measures necessary to ensure that the exemptions provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 are applied in such a way as to prevent any possible evasion, avoidance or abuse.

4.   For the purposes of this Article, the following definitions apply:

| (a) | ‘tax-free shop’ means any establishment situated within an airport or port which fulfils the conditions laid down by the competent authorities of the Member States, pursuant in particular to paragraph 3; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

‘tax-free shop’ means any establishment situated within an airport or port which fulfils the conditions laid down by the competent authorities of the Member States, pursuant in particular to paragraph 3;

| (b) | ‘traveller to a third territory or to a third country’ means any passenger holding a transport document, for air or sea travel, stating that the final destination is an airport or port situated in a third territory or a third country. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

‘traveller to a third territory or to a third country’ means any passenger holding a transport document, for air or sea travel, stating that the final destination is an airport or port situated in a third territory or a third country.

CHAPTER III

CHAPTER III

Production, processing, holding and storage

Production, processing, holding and storage

Article 14

General provision

1.   Each Member State shall determine its rules concerning the production, processing, holding and storage of excise goods, subject to this Directive.

2.   The production, processing, holding and storage of excise goods, where the excise duty has not been paid, shall take place in a tax warehouse.

Article 15

Conditions for authorisation as an authorised warehousekeeper

1.   The opening and operation of a tax warehouse by an authorised warehousekeeper shall be subject to authorisation by the competent authorities of the Member State where the tax warehouse is situated.

Such authorisation shall be subject to the conditions that the authorities are entitled to lay down for the purposes of preventing any possible evasion or abuse.

2.   An authorised warehousekeeper shall be required to:

| (a) | provide, if necessary, a guarantee to cover the risk inherent in the production, processing, holding and storage of excise goods; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

provide, if necessary, a guarantee to cover the risk inherent in the production, processing, holding and storage of excise goods;

| (b) | comply with the requirements laid down by the Member State within whose territory the tax warehouse is situated; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

comply with the requirements laid down by the Member State within whose territory the tax warehouse is situated;

| (c) | keep, for each tax warehouse, accounts of stock and movements of excise goods; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

keep, for each tax warehouse, accounts of stock and movements of excise goods;

| (d) | enter into his or her tax warehouse and enter in his or her accounts at the end of their movement all excise goods moving under a duty suspension arrangement, except where Article 16(4) applies; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

enter into his or her tax warehouse and enter in his or her accounts at the end of their movement all excise goods moving under a duty suspension arrangement, except where Article 16(4) applies;

| (e) | consent to all monitoring and stock checks. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

consent to all monitoring and stock checks.

The conditions for the guarantee referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph shall be set by the competent authorities of the Member State in which the tax warehouse is authorised.

CHAPTER IV

CHAPTER IV

Movement of excise goods under suspension of excise duty

Movement of excise goods under suspension of excise duty

Section 1

Section 1

General provisions

General provisions

Article 16

General provisions for the place of dispatch and of destination of the movement

1.   Excise goods may be moved under a duty suspension arrangement between the following places within the territory of the Union, including via a third country or a third territory:

| (a) | from a tax warehouse to:






  (i) | another tax warehouse; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

from a tax warehouse to:

(i)

another tax warehouse;

| (ii) | a registered consignee; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

a registered consignee;

| (iii) | a place where the excise goods leave the territory of the Union, as referred to in Article 25(1); |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

a place where the excise goods leave the territory of the Union, as referred to in Article 25(1);

| (iv) | the consignee referred to in Article 11(1), where the goods are dispatched from the territory of another Member State; |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

the consignee referred to in Article 11(1), where the goods are dispatched from the territory of another Member State;

| (v) | the customs office of exit where provided for in Article 329(5) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 which is at the same time the customs office of departure for the external transit procedure where provided for in Article 189(4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446; |
| --- | --- |

(v)

the customs office of exit where provided for in Article 329(5) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 which is at the same time the customs office of departure for the external transit procedure where provided for in Article 189(4) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446;

| (b) | from the place of importation to any of the destinations referred to in point (a), where the goods are dispatched by a registered consignor. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

from the place of importation to any of the destinations referred to in point (a), where the goods are dispatched by a registered consignor.

For the purposes of this Article, ‘place of importation’ means the place where the goods are released for free circulation in accordance with Article 201 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.

2.   Save where importation takes place inside a tax warehouse, excise goods may be moved from the place of importation under a duty suspension arrangement only if the following is provided by the declarant or any person directly or indirectly involved in the accomplishment of customs formalities in accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 to the competent authorities of the Member State of importation:

| (a) | the unique excise number under point (a) of Article 19(2) of Council Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 (15) identifying the registered consignor for the movement; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the unique excise number under point (a) of Article 19(2) of Council Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 (15) identifying the registered consignor for the movement;

| (b) | the unique excise number under point (a) of Article 19(2) of Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 identifying the consignee to whom the goods are dispatched; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the unique excise number under point (a) of Article 19(2) of Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 identifying the consignee to whom the goods are dispatched;

| (c) | if applicable, the evidence that the imported goods are intended to be dispatched from the territory of the Member State of importation to the territory of another Member State. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

if applicable, the evidence that the imported goods are intended to be dispatched from the territory of the Member State of importation to the territory of another Member State.

3.   Member States may provide that the evidence referred to in point (c) of paragraph 2 be indicated to the competent authorities only upon request.

4.   By way of derogation from point (a)(i) and (ii) and point (b) of paragraph 1 of this Article, the Member State of destination may, under the conditions which it lays down, allow excise goods to be moved under a duty suspension arrangement to a place of direct delivery situated in its territory, where that place has been designated by the authorised warehousekeeper in the Member State of destination or by the registered consignee other than a registered consignee with an authorisation limited in accordance with Article 18(3).

That authorised warehousekeeper or that registered consignee shall remain responsible for submitting the report of receipt referred to in Article 24(1).

5.   Paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 shall also apply to movements of excise goods at a zero rate, which have not been released for consumption.

Article 17

Guarantee

1.   The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch, under the conditions fixed by them, shall require that the risks inherent in the movement under suspension of excise duty be covered by a guarantee provided by the authorised warehousekeeper of dispatch or the registered consignor.

2.   No guarantee shall be required for movements of energy products by fixed pipeline, except under duly justified circumstances.

3.   By way of derogation from paragraph 1, the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch, under the conditions fixed by them, may allow the guarantee referred to in paragraph 1 to be provided by the transporter or carrier, the owner of the excise goods, the consignee, or jointly by two or more of those persons and the persons mentioned in paragraph 1.

4.   The guarantee shall be valid throughout the Union.

5.   The Member State of dispatch may waive the obligation to provide the guarantee in respect of the following movements of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement:

| (a) | movements which take place entirely in its territory; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

movements which take place entirely in its territory;

| (b) | where the other Member States concerned so agree, movements of energy products within the Union by sea. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

where the other Member States concerned so agree, movements of energy products within the Union by sea.

6.   Member States shall lay down detailed rules governing the provision and the validity of a guarantee.

Article 18

Registered consignee

1.   A registered consignee may not produce, process, hold, store or dispatch excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement.

2.   A registered consignee shall comply with the following requirements:

| (a) | before dispatch of the excise goods, guarantee payment of excise duty under the conditions fixed by the competent authorities of the Member State of destination; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

before dispatch of the excise goods, guarantee payment of excise duty under the conditions fixed by the competent authorities of the Member State of destination;

| (b) | at the end of the movement, enter in his or her accounts excise goods received under a duty suspension arrangement; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

at the end of the movement, enter in his or her accounts excise goods received under a duty suspension arrangement;

| (c) | consent to any check enabling the competent authorities of the Member State of destination to satisfy themselves that the goods have actually been received. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

consent to any check enabling the competent authorities of the Member State of destination to satisfy themselves that the goods have actually been received.

3.   For a registered consignee receiving excise goods only occasionally, the authorisation referred to in point (9) of Article 3 shall be limited to a specified quantity of excise goods, a single consignor and a specified period of time. Member States may limit the authorisation to a single movement.

Article 19

Beginning and end of movements of excise goods under duty suspension

1.   The movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement shall begin:

| (a) | in the cases referred to in point (a) of Article 16(1), when the excise goods leave the tax warehouse of dispatch; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

in the cases referred to in point (a) of Article 16(1), when the excise goods leave the tax warehouse of dispatch;

| (b) | in the cases referred to in point (b) of Article 16(1) upon their release for free circulation in accordance with Article 201 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

in the cases referred to in point (b) of Article 16(1) upon their release for free circulation in accordance with Article 201 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.

2.   The movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement shall end:

| (a) | in the cases referred to in points (a)(i), (ii) and (iv) of Article 16(1) and point (b) of Article 16(1), when the consignee has taken delivery of the excise goods; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

in the cases referred to in points (a)(i), (ii) and (iv) of Article 16(1) and point (b) of Article 16(1), when the consignee has taken delivery of the excise goods;

| (b) | in the cases referred to in point (a)(iii) of Article 16(1), when the goods have left the territory of the Union; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

in the cases referred to in point (a)(iii) of Article 16(1), when the goods have left the territory of the Union;

| (c) | in the cases referred to in point (a)(v) of Article 16(1), when the goods are placed under the external transit procedure. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

in the cases referred to in point (a)(v) of Article 16(1), when the goods are placed under the external transit procedure.

Section 2

Section 2

Procedure to be followed for movements of excise goods under suspension of excise duty

Procedure to be followed for movements of excise goods under suspension of excise duty

Article 20

Electronic administrative document

1.   A movement of excise goods shall be considered to take place under a duty suspension arrangement only if it takes place under cover of an electronic administrative document processed in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3.

2.   For the purposes of paragraph 1 of this Article, the consignor shall submit a draft electronic administrative document to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch using the computerised system referred to in Article 1 of Decision (EU) 2020/263 (‘the computerised system’).

3.   The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall carry out an electronic verification of the data provided in the draft electronic administrative document.

Where those data are not valid, the consignor shall be informed thereof without delay.

Where those data are valid, the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall assign to the document a unique administrative reference code and shall communicate it to the consignor.

4.   In the cases referred to in points (a)(i), (ii) and (iv) of Article 16(1), point (b) of Article 16(1) and Article 16(4), the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall forward the electronic administrative document without delay to the competent authorities of the Member State of destination, which shall forward it to the consignee where the consignee is an authorised warehousekeeper or a registered consignee.

Where the excise goods are intended for an authorised warehousekeeper in the Member State of dispatch, the competent authorities of that Member State shall forward the electronic administrative document directly to the authorised warehousekeeper.

5.   The consignor shall provide the person accompanying the excise goods, or where there is no person accompanying the goods, the transporter or carrier, with the unique administrative reference code. The person accompanying the excise goods, the transporter or the carrier shall provide that code to the competent authorities upon request throughout the movement under an excise duty suspension arrangement. However, where appropriate, the competent authorities may request a printed copy of the electronic administrative document or any other commercial document.

6.   The consignor may cancel the electronic administrative document, using the computerised system, so long as the movement has not begun under Article 19(1).

7.   During a movement under a duty suspension arrangement, the consignor may, using the computerised system, change the destination or the consignee of the excise goods to one of the destinations referred to in points (a)(i), (ii), (iii) or (v) of Article 16(1) or, where applicable, in Article 16(4). For that purpose, the consignor shall submit a draft electronic change of destination document to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch using the computerised system.

Article 21

Handling of the electronic administrative document for goods being exported

1.   In the cases referred to in points (a)(iii) and (v) of Article 16(1), the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall forward the electronic administrative document to the competent authorities of the Member State where the export declaration is lodged under Article 221(2) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 (‘Member State of export’), if that Member State is different from the Member State of dispatch.

2.   The declarant shall provide the competent authorities of the Member State of export with the unique administrative reference code indicating the excise goods referred to in the export declaration.

3.   The competent authorities in the Member State of export shall verify, before the release for export of the goods, whether the data of the electronic administrative document correspond to those contained in the export declaration.

4.   Where there are any inconsistencies between the electronic administrative document and the export declaration, the competent authorities in the Member State of export shall notify the competent authorities in the Member State of dispatch using the computerised system.

5.   Where the goods are no longer to be taken out of the customs territory of the Union, the competent authorities in the Member State of export shall notify the competent authorities in the Member State of dispatch thereof by means of the computerised system as soon as they become aware that the goods will no longer be taken out of the customs territory of the Union. The competent authorities in the Member State of dispatch shall forward the notification to the consignor without delay. On receipt of the notification, the consignor shall cancel the electronic administrative document as provided for in Article 20(6) or change the destination of the goods as provided for in Article 20(7), as appropriate.

Article 22

Special arrangements for movements of energy products

1.   In the case of movements of energy products under a duty suspension arrangement by sea or inland waterways to a consignee who is not definitely known at the time when the consignor submits the draft electronic administrative document referred to in Article 20(2), the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch may authorise the consignor to omit the data concerning the consignee in that document.

2.   As soon as the data concerning the consignee are known, and at the latest at the end of the movement, the consignor shall, using the procedure referred to in Article 20(7), transmit them to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch.

3.   This Article shall not apply to the movements referred to in points (a)(iii) and (v) of Article 16(1).

Article 23

Splitting of consignments

1.   The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch may allow, under the conditions fixed by that Member State, that the consignor splits a movement of energy products under suspension of excise duty into two or more movements provided that the following conditions are fulfilled:

| (a) | the total quantity of excise goods does not change; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the total quantity of excise goods does not change;

| (b) | the splitting is carried out in the territory of a Member State which permits such a procedure; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the splitting is carried out in the territory of a Member State which permits such a procedure;

| (c) | the competent authorities of that Member State are informed of the place where the splitting is carried out. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the competent authorities of that Member State are informed of the place where the splitting is carried out.

2.   Member States shall inform the Commission if they allow movements to be split in their territory and under what conditions. The Commission shall transmit this information to the other Member States.

Article 24

Formalities at destination

1.   On receipt of excise goods at any of the destinations referred to in points (a)(i), (ii) or (iv) of Article 16(1) or in Article 16(4), the consignee shall, without delay and no later than five working days after the end of the movement, except in cases duly justified to the satisfaction of the competent authorities, submit a report of their receipt to the competent authorities of the Member State of destination using the computerised system.

2.   The competent authorities of the Member State of destination shall determine the procedures for presentation of the report of receipt of the goods by the consignees referred to in Article 11(1).

3.   The competent authorities of the Member State of destination shall carry out an electronic verification of the data provided in the report of receipt.

Where these data are not valid, the consignee shall be notified without delay.

Where these data are valid, the competent authorities of the Member State of destination shall provide the consignee with a confirmation of the registration of the report of receipt and send the confirmation to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch.

4.   The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall forward the report of receipt to the consignor. Where the places of dispatch and of destination are situated in the same Member State, the competent authorities of that Member State shall forward the report of receipt directly to the consignor.

Article 25

Formalities at the end of a movement of goods being exported

1.   In the cases referred to in point (a)(iii) of Article 16(1) and, where applicable, point (b) of Article 16(1) of this Directive, a report of export shall be completed by the competent authorities of the Member State of export on the basis of the information on the exit of the goods which it has received from the customs office of exit under Article 329 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 or by the office where the formalities for the exit of goods from the customs territory, as referred to in Article 2(2) of this Directive, are accomplished, certifying that the excise goods have left the territory of the Union, using the computerised system.

2.   In the cases referred to in point (a)(v) of Article 16(1), a report of export shall be completed by the competent authorities of the Member State of export on the basis of the information which they have received from the customs office of exit under Article 329(5) of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447.

3.   The competent authorities of the Member State of export shall carry out an electronic verification of the data on the basis of which the report of export is to be completed in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2. Once those data have been verified, and where the Member State of dispatch is different from the Member State of export, the competent authorities of the Member State of export shall send the report of export to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch.

The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall forward the report of export to the consignor.

Article 26

Unavailability of the computerised system

1.   By way of derogation from Article 20(1), where the computerised system is unavailable in the Member State of dispatch, the consignor may start a movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement provided that:

| (a) | the goods are accompanied by a fallback document containing the same data as the draft electronic administrative document referred to in Article 20(2); |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the goods are accompanied by a fallback document containing the same data as the draft electronic administrative document referred to in Article 20(2);

| (b) | the consignor informs the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch before the beginning of the movement. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the consignor informs the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch before the beginning of the movement.

The Member State of dispatch may also require from the consignor a copy of the document referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph, the verification by the Member State of dispatch of the data contained in that copy and, where the consignor is responsible for the unavailability of the computerised system, appropriate information on the reasons for that unavailability before the beginning of the movement.

2.   As soon as the availability of the computerised system is restored, the consignor shall submit a draft electronic administrative document in accordance with Article 20(2).

As soon as the data in the draft electronic administrative document have been verified in accordance with Article 20(3) if those data are valid, that document shall replace the fallback document referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article. Article 20(4), Article 21(1) and Articles 24 and 25 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

3.   A copy of the fallback document referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall be kept by the consignor in his or her records.

4.   Where the computerised system is unavailable in the Member State of dispatch, the consignor may amend the destination of the goods as referred to in Article 20(7) or split the movement of energy products as referred to in Article 23 and shall communicate that information to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch using alternative means of communication. To that end, the consignor shall inform the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch before the change of destination or the splitting of the movement is initiated. Paragraphs 2 and 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

5.   Where the computerised system is unavailable in the Member State of dispatch in the cases referred to in points (a)(iii) and (v) of Article 16(1), the consignor shall provide a copy of the fallback document referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1, to the declarant.

The declarant shall provide the competent authorities of the Member State of export with a copy of that fallback document, the contents of which corresponds to the excise goods declared in the export declaration, or the unique identifier of the fallback document.

Article 27

Fallback documents at destination or in cases of export

1.   When, in the cases referred to in points (a)(i), (ii) and (iv) of Article 16(1), point (b) of Article 16(1) and Article 16(4), the report of receipt provided for in Article 24(1) cannot be submitted at the end of a movement of excise goods within the deadline provided for in that Article, either because the computerised system is unavailable in the Member State of destination or because, in the situation referred to in Article 26(1), the procedures referred to in Article 26(2) have not yet been carried out, the consignee shall submit to the competent authorities of the Member State of destination, except in duly justified cases, a fallback document containing the same data as the report of receipt and stating that the movement has ended.

Except where the report of receipt can be submitted promptly by the consignee via the computerised system as provided for in Article 24(1), or except in duly justified cases, the competent authorities of the Member State of destination shall send a copy of the fallback document referred to in the first subparagraph to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch, which shall forward it to the consignor or keep it available for the consignor. As soon as availability of the computerised system is restored in the Member State of destination or the procedures referred to in Article 26(2) have been carried out, the consignee shall submit a report of receipt, in accordance with Article 24(1). Paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 24 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

2.   When, in the case referred to in points (a)(iii) or (v) of Article 16(1), the report of export provided for in Article 25(1) and (2) or the notification that the goods will no longer be taken out of the territory of the Union provided for in Article 21(5) cannot be completed at the end of a movement of excise goods either because the computerised system is unavailable in the Member State of export or because, in the situation referred to in Article 26(1), the procedures referred to in Article 26(2) have not yet been carried out, the competent authorities of the Member State of export shall send to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch a document containing the same data as the report of export or as the notification and certifying that the movement has ended or that the goods will not be taken out of the territory of the Union, except where the report of export or the notification can be completed promptly via the computerised system, or in duly justified cases.

The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall forward a copy of the document referred to in the first subparagraph to the consignor or keep it available for the consignor.

As soon as availability of the computerised system is restored in the Member State of export or the procedures referred to in Article 26(2) have been carried out, the competent authorities of the Member State of export shall send a report of export in accordance with Article 25(1) and (2) or the notification provided for in Article 21(5). Article 25(3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 28

Alternative proofs of receipt and evidence of exit

1.   Notwithstanding Article 27, the report of receipt provided for in Article 24(1) or the report of export provided for in Article 25(1) and (2) shall constitute proof that a movement of excise goods has ended in accordance with Article 19(2).

2.   By way of derogation from paragraph 1, in the absence of the report of receipt or the report of export for reasons other than those mentioned in Article 27, alternative proof of the end of a movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement may be provided, in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4.

3.   In the cases referred to in points (a)(i), (ii) and (iv) of Article 16(1), point (b) of Article 16(1) and Article 16(4), alternative proof of the end of the movement may be provided by means of an endorsement by the competent authorities of the Member State of destination, based on appropriate evidence, that the excise goods have reached their destination.

A fallback document as referred to in point (a) of Article 26(1) shall constitute appropriate evidence.

4.   In the cases referred to in points (a)(iii) or (v) of Article 16(1), in order to determine whether the excise goods in the circumstances set out in paragraph 2 have been taken out of the territory of the Union, the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch:

| (a) | shall accept an endorsement by the competent authorities of the Member State in which the customs office of exit is located, certifying that the excise goods have left the territory of the Union, or certifying that the excise goods have been placed under the external transit procedure in accordance with point (a)(v) of Article 16(1) as appropriate evidence that the goods have been taken out of the territory of the Union. |
| --- | --- |

(a)

shall accept an endorsement by the competent authorities of the Member State in which the customs office of exit is located, certifying that the excise goods have left the territory of the Union, or certifying that the excise goods have been placed under the external transit procedure in accordance with point (a)(v) of Article 16(1) as appropriate evidence that the goods have been taken out of the territory of the Union.

| (b) | may take into account any combination of the following pieces of evidence:






  (i) | a delivery note; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(b)

may take into account any combination of the following pieces of evidence:

(i)

a delivery note;

| (ii) | a document signed or authenticated by the economic operator who has taken the excise goods out of the customs territory of the Union certifying the exit of the goods; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

a document signed or authenticated by the economic operator who has taken the excise goods out of the customs territory of the Union certifying the exit of the goods;

| (iii) | a document in which the customs authority of a Member State or a third country certify the delivery in accordance with the rules and procedures applicable to that certification in that State or country; |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

a document in which the customs authority of a Member State or a third country certify the delivery in accordance with the rules and procedures applicable to that certification in that State or country;

| (iv) | records of goods supplied to ships, aircraft or offshore installations kept by economic operators; |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

records of goods supplied to ships, aircraft or offshore installations kept by economic operators;

| (v) | other evidence acceptable to the authorities of the Member State of dispatch. |
| --- | --- |

(v)

other evidence acceptable to the authorities of the Member State of dispatch.

5.   Where appropriate evidence has been accepted by the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch, it shall end the movement in the computerised system.

Article 29

Delegation of power and conferral of implementing powers with respect to the documents to be exchanged under the duty suspension arrangement

1.   The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 51 establishing the structure and content of the electronic administrative documents exchanged through the computerised system for the purposes of Articles 20 to 25 and of the fallback documents referred to in Articles 26 and 27 in the context of movement of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement.

2.   The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing the rules and procedures for the exchanges of the electronic administrative documents through the computerised system in the context of movement of excise goods under suspension of excise duty and the rules and procedures for the use of the fallback documents referred to in Articles 26 and 27. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 52(2).

3.   Each Member State shall determine the situations where the computerised system may be considered unavailable and shall lay down the rules and procedures to be followed in those situations, for the purposes of and in accordance with Articles 26 and 27.

Section 3

Section 3

Simplified procedures

Simplified procedures

Article 30

Simplified procedures in a single Member State

Member States may establish simplified procedures in respect of movements of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement which take place entirely on their territory, including the possibility to waive the requirement of electronic supervision of such movements.

Article 31

Simplified procedures in two or more Member States

By agreement and under conditions fixed by all the Member States concerned, simplified procedures may be established for the purposes of frequent and regular movements of excise goods under a duty suspension arrangement which occur between the territories of two or more Member States.

This provision includes movements via fixed pipelines.

CHAPTER V

CHAPTER V

Movement and taxation of excise goods after release for consumption

Movement and taxation of excise goods after release for consumption

Section 1

Section 1

Acquisition by private individuals

Acquisition by private individuals

Article 32

Acquisition by a private individual

1.   Excise duty on excise goods acquired by a private individual for his or her own use, and transported from the territory of one Member State to the territory of another Member State by this private individual, shall be charged only in the Member State in which the excise goods are acquired.

2.   To determine whether the excise goods referred to in paragraph 1 are intended for the own use of a private individual, Member States shall take account at least of the following:

| (a) | the commercial status of the holder of the excise goods and the reasons for holding them; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the commercial status of the holder of the excise goods and the reasons for holding them;

| (b) | the place where the excise goods are located or, if appropriate, the mode of transport used; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the place where the excise goods are located or, if appropriate, the mode of transport used;

| (c) | any document relating to the excise goods; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

any document relating to the excise goods;

| (d) | the nature of the excise goods; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the nature of the excise goods;

| (e) | the quantity of the excise goods. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the quantity of the excise goods.

3.   For the purposes of applying point (e) of paragraph 2, Member States may lay down guide levels, solely as a form of evidence. These guide levels may not be lower than:

| (a) | for tobacco products:






  — | cigarettes: 800 items, |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

for tobacco products:

—

cigarettes: 800 items,

| — | cigarillos (cigars weighing not more than 3 g each): 400 items, |
| --- | --- |

—

cigarillos (cigars weighing not more than 3 g each): 400 items,

| — | cigars: 200 items, |
| --- | --- |

—

cigars: 200 items,

| — | smoking tobacco: 1,0 kg; |
| --- | --- |

—

smoking tobacco: 1,0 kg;

| (b) | for alcoholic beverages:






  — | spirit drinks: 10 l, |
| --- | --- | --- |

(b)

for alcoholic beverages:

—

spirit drinks: 10 l,

| — | intermediate products: 20 l, |
| --- | --- |

—

intermediate products: 20 l,

| — | wines: 90 l (including a maximum of 60 l of sparkling wines), |
| --- | --- |

—

wines: 90 l (including a maximum of 60 l of sparkling wines),

| — | beers: 110 l. |
| --- | --- |

—

beers: 110 l.

4.   Member States may also provide that excise duty shall become due in the Member State of consumption on the acquisition of mineral oils already released for consumption in another Member State if such products are transported using atypical modes of transport by a private individual or on behalf of a private individual.

For the purposes of this paragraph, ‘atypical mode of transport’ means the transport of fuels other than in the tanks of vehicles or in appropriate reserve fuel canisters and the transport of liquid heating products other than by means of tankers used on behalf of economic operators.

Section 2

Section 2

Procedure to be followed for movements of excise goods which have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes

Procedure to be followed for movements of excise goods which have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered there for commercial purposes

Article 33

General

1.   Where excise goods that have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State are moved to the territory of another Member State to be delivered there for commercial purposes or used there, they shall be subject to excise duty in the Member State of destination.

Within the scope of the arrangements in this Section, excise goods shall only be moved from a certified consignor to a certified consignee.

2.   For the purposes of this Article, excise goods shall be regarded as ‘delivered for commercial purposes’ where they have been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State, have been moved from that Member State to the territory of another Member State and are delivered either to a person other than a private individual or to a private individual if the movement is not covered by Article 32 or Article 44. However, excise goods shall not be regarded as delivered for commercial purposes where they are transported by that private individual for his or her own use, when moved from the territory of the other Member State.

3.   The movement of excise goods under this Article shall begin when the excise goods leave the certified consignor’s premises or any location in the Member State of dispatch, which shall be notified before the start of the movement to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch.

4.   The movement of excise goods under this Article shall end when the certified consignee has taken delivery of the excise goods at his or her premises or any location in the Member State of destination, which shall be notified before the start of the movement to the competent authorities of the Member State of destination.

5.   The chargeability conditions and rate of excise duty to be applied shall be those in force on the date on which duty becomes chargeable in the Member State of destination.

Article 34

Chargeable event

1.   The certified consignee shall be liable to pay the excise duty, which shall be chargeable when the goods have been delivered to the Member State of destination, except where an irregularity under Article 46 occurs during the movement.

2.   In case of lack of registration or certification of one or all persons involved in the movement, these persons shall also become liable to pay the excise duty.

3.   Excise goods which are held on board a boat or aircraft making sea-crossings or flights between the territories of two Member States but which are not available for sale when the boat or aircraft is in the territory of one of the Member States shall not be subject to excise duty in that Member State.

Article 35

Conditions for movement of excise goods under this Section

1.   A movement of excise goods shall be considered to comply with the requirements under this Section only if it takes place under cover of an electronic simplified administrative document processed in accordance with Article 36.

2.   The certified consignee under Article 34(1) shall comply with all of the following requirements:

| (a) | before the goods are dispatched provide a guarantee covering the inherent risks of non-payment of excise duties that can occur during the movement via the territories of the transited Member States and in the Member State of destination; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

before the goods are dispatched provide a guarantee covering the inherent risks of non-payment of excise duties that can occur during the movement via the territories of the transited Member States and in the Member State of destination;

| (b) | pay the excise duty due in the Member State of destination in accordance with the procedure laid down by that Member State at the end of the movement of the goods; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

pay the excise duty due in the Member State of destination in accordance with the procedure laid down by that Member State at the end of the movement of the goods;

| (c) | consent to any checks enabling the competent authorities of the Member State of destination to satisfy themselves that the excise goods have actually been received and that the excise duty chargeable on them has been paid. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

consent to any checks enabling the competent authorities of the Member State of destination to satisfy themselves that the excise goods have actually been received and that the excise duty chargeable on them has been paid.

3.   By way of derogation from point (a) of paragraph 2, the competent authorities of the Member State of destination may, under the conditions fixed by them, allow the guarantee to be provided by the transporter or carrier, the owner of the excise goods, the certified consignor, or jointly by any combination of two or more of those persons with or without the certified consignee.

4.   The guarantee referred to in point (a) of paragraph 2 shall be valid throughout the Union.

5.   Member States shall lay down detailed rules governing the provision and the validity of a guarantee.

6.   An authorised warehousekeeper or a registered consignor may act as a certified consignor for the purposes of this Section after having notified the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch.

7.   An authorised warehousekeeper or a registered consignee may act as a certified consignee for the purposes of this Section after having notified the competent authorities of the Member State of destination.

8.   For a certified consignor or certified consignee sending or receiving excise goods only occasionally, the certification referred to in points (12) and (13) of Article 3 shall be limited to a specified quantity of excise goods, a single consignee or consignor and a specified period of time. Member States may limit the certification to a single movement. Such a temporary certification may also, notwithstanding the requirements of points (12) and (13) of Article 3, be given to private individuals acting as consignors or consignees when excise goods are delivered for commercial purposes under Article 33(2).

Article 36

Electronic simplified administrative document

1.   Where excise goods are to be moved under this Section, the certified consignor shall submit a draft electronic simplified administrative document to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch using the computerised system.

2.   The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall carry out an electronic verification of the data provided in the draft electronic simplified administrative document.

Where those data are not valid, the certified consignor shall be informed thereof without delay.

Where those data are valid, the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall assign to the document a unique simplified administrative reference code and shall communicate it to the certified consignor.

3.   The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall forward the electronic simplified administrative document without delay to the competent authorities of the Member State of destination, which shall forward it to the certified consignee.

4.   The certified consignor shall provide the person accompanying the excise goods, or where there is no person accompanying the goods, the transporter or carrier, with the unique simplified administrative reference code. The person accompanying the excise goods, the transporter or the carrier shall provide that code to the competent authorities upon request through the movement.

5.   During a movement of excise goods under this Section, the certified consignor may, using the computerised system, change the destination to another place of delivery in the same Member State operated by the same certified consignee, or to the place of dispatch. For that purpose, the certified consignor shall submit a draft electronic change of destination document to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch using the computerised system.

Article 37

Report of receipt

1.   On receipt of the excise goods, the certified consignee shall, without delay and no later than five working days after the end of the movement, except in cases duly justified to the satisfaction of the competent authorities, submit a report of their receipt to the competent authorities of the Member State of destination, using the computerised system.

2.   The competent authorities of the Member State of destination shall carry out an electronic verification of the data provided in the report of receipt.

Where those data are not valid the certified consignee shall be informed thereof without delay.

Where those data are valid, the competent authorities of the Member State of destination shall provide the certified consignee with a confirmation of the registration of the report of receipt and send it to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch.

The report of receipt shall be deemed to be sufficient proof that the certified consignee has fulfilled all of the necessary formalities and has made, if applicable and unless the excise goods are exempted from payment of excise duty, any payments of excise duty due to the Member State of destination or a duty suspension arrangement in accordance with Chapter III.

3.   The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall forward the report of receipt to the certified consignor.

4.   The excise duty paid in the Member State of dispatch shall be reimbursed, upon request and on the basis of the report of receipt referred to in paragraph 1.

Article 38

Fallback procedure and recovery at dispatch

1.   By way of derogation from Article 36, where the computerised system is unavailable in the Member State of dispatch, the certified consignor may start a movement of excise goods provided that:

| (a) | the goods are accompanied by a fallback document containing the same data as the draft electronic simplified administrative document referred to in Article 35(1); |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the goods are accompanied by a fallback document containing the same data as the draft electronic simplified administrative document referred to in Article 35(1);

| (b) | the certified consignor informs the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch before the beginning of the movement. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the certified consignor informs the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch before the beginning of the movement.

The Member State of dispatch may require from the certified consignor a copy of the document referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph, the verification by the Member State of dispatch of the data contained in that copy and, where the certified consignor is responsible for the unavailability of the computerised system, appropriate information on the reasons for that unavailability before the beginning of the movement.

2.   As soon as the availability of the computerised system is restored, the certified consignor shall submit a draft electronic simplified administrative document in accordance with Article 36(1).

As soon as the data in the draft electronic simplified administrative document have been verified in accordance with Article 36(2), if those data are valid, that document shall replace the fallback document referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 of this Article. Article 36(3) and Article 37 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

3.   A copy of the fallback document referred to in point (a) of the first subparagraph of paragraph 1 shall be kept by the certified consignor in his or her records.

4.   Where the computerised system is unavailable in the Member State of dispatch, the certified consignor may amend the destination of the goods as referred to in Article 36(5) and shall communicate that information to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch using alternative means of communication. The certified consignor shall inform the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch before the change of destination is initiated. Paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 39

Fallback documents and recovery of data — report of receipt

Where excise goods are to be moved under this Section and the report of receipt cannot be submitted at the end of the movement of the excise goods in accordance with Article 37(1), either because the computerised system is unavailable in the Member State of destination or because the procedures referred to in Article 38(2) have not yet been carried out, the certified consignee shall, except in duly justified cases, submit a fallback document containing the same data as the report of receipt and stating that the movement has ended to the competent authorities of the Member State of destination.

Except where the report of receipt can be submitted promptly by the certified consignee via the computerised system as provided for in Article 37(1), or except in duly justified cases, the competent authorities of the Member State of destination shall send a copy of the fallback document referred to in the first subparagraph to the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch. The competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch shall forward the copy to the certified consignor or keep it available for the certified consignor.

As soon as availability of the computerised system is restored in the Member State of destination or the procedures referred to in Article 38(2) have been carried out, the certified consignee shall submit a report of receipt in accordance with Article 37(1). Article 37(2) and (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 40

Alternative proofs of receipt

1.   Notwithstanding Article 39, the report of receipt required by Article 37(1) shall constitute proof that the excise goods have been delivered to the certified consignee.

2.   By way of derogation from paragraph 1, in the absence of the report of receipt for reasons other than those mentioned in Article 39, alternative proof of delivery of excise goods may be provided by means of an endorsement by the competent authorities of the Member State of destination, based on appropriate evidence, that the excise goods dispatched have reached their destination.

The fallback document referred to in the first paragraph of Article 39 shall constitute appropriate evidence for the purposes of the first subparagraph of this paragraph.

3.   Where the endorsement by the competent authorities of the Member State of destination has been accepted by the competent authorities of the Member State of dispatch, it shall be deemed to be sufficient proof that the certified consignee has fulfilled all of the necessary formalities and has made any payments of excise duty due to the Member State of destination.

Article 41

Derogation from the obligation to use the computerised system — simplified procedures in two or more Member States

By agreement and under conditions fixed by all the Member States concerned, simplified procedures may be established for movements of excise goods under this Section which occur between the territories of two or more Member States.

Article 42

Movement of goods released for consumption between two places in the territory of the same Member State via the territory of another Member State

1.   Where excise goods already released for consumption in the territory of a Member State are moved to a place of destination in the territory of that Member State via the territory of another Member State, the following requirements shall apply:

| (a) | such a movement shall take place under cover of the electronic simplified administrative document referred to in Article 35(1) following an appropriate itinerary; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

such a movement shall take place under cover of the electronic simplified administrative document referred to in Article 35(1) following an appropriate itinerary;

| (b) | the certified consignee shall attest to having received the goods in accordance with the rules laid down by the competent authorities of the place of destination; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the certified consignee shall attest to having received the goods in accordance with the rules laid down by the competent authorities of the place of destination;

| (c) | the certified consignor and the certified consignee shall consent to any checks enabling their respective competent authorities to satisfy themselves that the goods have actually been received. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the certified consignor and the certified consignee shall consent to any checks enabling their respective competent authorities to satisfy themselves that the goods have actually been received.

2.   Where excise goods are moved frequently and regularly under the conditions specified in paragraph 1, the Member States concerned may, by agreement, under conditions determined by them, simplify the requirements specified in paragraph 1.

Article 43

Delegation of power and conferral of implementing power for the movement of goods to be delivered for commercial purposes

1.   The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 51 establishing the structure and content of the electronic administrative documents exchanged through the computerised system for the purposes of Articles 36 and 37, and of fallback documents referred to in Articles 38, 39 and 41 in the context of movement of excise goods under this Section.

2.   The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing the rules and procedures to be followed for the exchange of the electronic administrative documents through the computerised system for the purposes of Articles 36 and 37 and the rules and procedures for the use of the fallback documents referred to in Articles 38, 39 and 40 in the context of movement of excise goods under this Section. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 52.

Section 3

Section 3

Distance selling

Distance selling

Article 44

Distance selling

1.   Excise goods already released for consumption in the territory of one Member State, that are purchased by a person, other than an authorised warehousekeeper, a registered consignee or a certified consignee, who is established in another Member State and who does not carry out an independent economic activity, and that are dispatched or transported to the territory of another Member State directly or indirectly by a consignor who carries out an independent economic activity or on his or her behalf shall be subject to excise duty in the Member State of destination.

2.   In the case referred to in paragraph 1, the excise duty shall become chargeable in the Member State of destination at the time of delivery of the excise goods. The chargeability conditions and rate of excise duty to be applied shall be those in force on the date on which duty becomes chargeable.

The excise duty shall be paid in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Member State of destination.

3.   The person liable to pay the excise duty in the Member State of destination shall be the consignor.

However, the Member State of destination may allow the consignor to appoint a tax representative, established in the Member State of destination, as the person liable to pay excise duty. The tax representative shall be approved by the competent authorities of that Member State. Member States may provide that, in cases where the consignor or the tax representative has not respected the provision of point (a) of paragraph 4, the person liable to pay the excise duty shall be the consignee of the excise goods.

4.   The consignor or tax representative shall comply with the following requirements:

| (a) | before dispatching the excise goods, register his or her identity and guarantee payment of the excise duty with the competent office specifically designated and under the conditions laid down by the Member State of destination; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

before dispatching the excise goods, register his or her identity and guarantee payment of the excise duty with the competent office specifically designated and under the conditions laid down by the Member State of destination;

| (b) | pay the excise duty at the office referred to in point (a) after the excise goods have been delivered; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

pay the excise duty at the office referred to in point (a) after the excise goods have been delivered;

| (c) | keep accounts of deliveries of excise goods. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

keep accounts of deliveries of excise goods.

The Member States concerned may, under conditions determined by them, simplify these requirements on the basis of bilateral or multilateral agreements.

5.   In the case referred to in paragraph 1, the excise duty levied in the first Member State shall be reimbursed, at the request of the consignor, where the consignor or tax representative has followed the procedures laid down in paragraph 4.

6.   Member States may lay down specific rules for applying paragraphs 1 to 5 to excise goods that are covered by special national distribution arrangements.

Section 4

Section 4

Destruction and loss

Destruction and loss

Article 45

Destruction and loss

1.   In the situations referred to in Article 33(1) and Article 44(1), in the event of the total destruction or irretrievable loss of the excise goods during their transport in the territory of a Member State other than the Member State in which they were released for consumption, as a result of unforeseeable circumstances, or force majeure, or as a consequence of an authorisation to destroy the goods by the competent authorities of that Member State, the excise duty shall not be chargeable in that Member State.

For the purposes of this Directive goods shall be considered totally destroyed or irretrievably lost when they are rendered unusable as excise goods.

2.   In the event of partial loss due to the nature of the goods that occurs during their transport in the territory of a Member State other than the Member State in which they were released for consumption, excise duty shall not be chargeable in that Member State where the amount of loss falls within the common partial loss threshold for those excise goods set out in accordance with Article 6(9), unless a Member State has reasonable cause to suspect fraud or irregularity.

3.   The total destruction or irretrievable loss, total or partial, of the excise goods as referred to in paragraph 1 shall be proven to the satisfaction of the competent authorities of the Member State where the total destruction or irretrievable loss, total or partial, occurred or, when it is not possible to determine where the loss occurred, where it was detected.

Where the total destruction or irretrievable loss, total or partial, of the excise goods is established, the guarantee lodged in accordance with point (a) of Article 35(2) or point (a) of Article 44(4) shall be released, fully or partially, as appropriate, upon the production of satisfactory proof.

Section 5

Section 5

Irregularities during the movement of excise goods

Irregularities during the movement of excise goods

Article 46

Irregularities during the movement of excise goods

1.   Where an irregularity has occurred during a movement of excise goods under Article 33(1) or Article 44(1), in the territory of a Member State other than the territory of the Member State in which they were released for consumption, they shall be subject to excise duty and excise duty shall be chargeable in the Member State where the irregularity occurred.

2.   Where an irregularity has been detected during a movement of excise goods under Article 33(1) or Article 44(1), in the territory of a Member State other than the territory of the Member State in which they were released for consumption, and it is not possible to determine where the irregularity occurred, the irregularity shall be deemed to have occurred and the excise duty shall be chargeable in the Member State where the irregularity was detected.

However, if, before the expiry of a period of three years from the date on which the excise goods were acquired, it is ascertained in the territory of which Member State the irregularity actually occurred, the provisions of paragraph 1 shall apply.

3.   The excise duty shall be due from the person who guaranteed payment thereof in accordance with point (a) of Article 35(2) or point (a) of Article 44(4) and from any person who participated in the irregularity. Where several persons are liable for payment of the same excise duty, they shall be jointly and severally liable for such debt.

The competent authorities of the Member State in which the excise goods were released for consumption shall, upon request, reimburse or remit the excise duty where it was levied in the Member State where the irregularity occurred or was detected. The competent authorities of the Member State of destination shall release the guarantee lodged pursuant to point (a) of Article 35(2) or point (a) of Article 44(4).

4.   For the purposes of this Article, ‘irregularity’ means a situation occurring during a movement of excise goods under Article 33(1) or Article 44(1), not covered by Article 45 due to which a movement, or a part of a movement, of excise goods has not duly ended.

5.   Any lack of registration or certification of one or all persons involved in the movement contrary to Article 33(1) or point (a) of Article 44(4) or any lack of respect of the provisions under Article 35(1) shall be deemed to be an irregularity. Paragraphs 1 to 4 shall apply accordingly, unless the consignee is liable to pay the excise duty according to the last sentence of Article 44(3).

CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VI

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous

Section 1

Section 1

Marking

Marking

Article 47

Marking

1.   Without prejudice to Article 6(2), Member States may require that excise goods carry tax markings or national identification marks used for fiscal purposes at the time when they are released for consumption in their territory, or, in the cases provided for in Article 33(1) and Article 44(1), when they enter their territory.

2.   Any Member State which requires the use of tax markings or national identification marks as set out in paragraph 1 shall be required to make them available to authorised warehousekeepers of the other Member States. However, each Member State may require that these markings or marks be made available to a tax representative authorised by the competent authorities of that Member State.

3.   Without prejudice to any provisions they may lay down in order to ensure that this Article is implemented properly and to prevent any evasion, avoidance or abuse, Member States shall ensure that tax markings or national identification marks as set out in paragraph 1 do not create obstacles to the free movement of excise goods.

Where such markings or marks are affixed to excise goods, any amount paid or guaranteed to obtain such markings or marks, apart from the fees for issuing them, shall be reimbursed, remitted or released by the Member State which issued them if excise duty has become chargeable and has been collected in another Member State.

The Member State which issued these markings or marks may nevertheless subject the reimbursement, remission or release of the amount paid or guaranteed to the presentation of evidence, to the satisfaction of its competent authorities, that they have been removed or destroyed.

4.   Tax markings or national identification marks as set out in paragraph 1 shall be valid in the Member State which issued them. However, there may be mutual recognition of these markings or marks between Member States.

Section 2

Section 2

Small wine producers

Small wine producers

Article 48

Small wine producers

1.   Member States may exempt small wine producers from the requirements of Articles 14 to 31 and from the other requirements relating to movement and monitoring. Where these small producers themselves carry out intra-Union transactions, they shall inform their relevant authorities and comply with the requirements laid down by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/273 (16).

2.   Where small wine producers are exempt from requirements in accordance with paragraph 1, the consignee shall, by means of the document required by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/273 or by a reference to it, inform the competent authorities of the Member State of destination of the wine deliveries received.

3.   For the purposes of this Article, ‘small producer’ means a producer who produces on average less than 1 000 hl of wine per wine year, based on the average annual production over at least three consecutive wine years, in accordance with Article 2(3) of the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/273.

Section 3

Section 3

Stores for boats and aircraft

Stores for boats and aircraft

Article 49

Stores for boats and aircraft

Until the Council has adopted Union provisions on stores for boats and aircraft, Member States may maintain their national provisions concerning exemptions for such stores.

Section 4

Section 4

Special arrangements

Special arrangements

Article 50

Special arrangements

Member States which have concluded an Agreement on the responsibility for the construction or maintenance of a trans-border bridge may adopt measures derogating from the provisions of this Directive in order to simplify the procedure for collecting excise duty on the excise goods used for the construction and the maintenance of that bridge.

For the purposes of those measures, the bridge and the construction sites referred to in the Agreement shall be deemed to be part of the territory of the Member State which is responsible for the construction or maintenance of the bridge in accordance with the Agreement.

The Member States concerned shall notify those measures to the Commission, which shall inform the other Member States.

CHAPTER VII

CHAPTER VII

Exercise of the delegation and committee procedure

Exercise of the delegation and committee procedure

Article 51

Exercise of the delegation

1.   The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the conditions laid down in this Article.

2.   The power to adopt the delegated acts referred to in Article 6(10), Article 29(1) and Article 43(1) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from 20 February 2020.

3.   The delegation of power referred to in Article 6(10), Article 29(1) and Article 43(1) may be revoked at any time by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.

4.   Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.

5.   As soon as it adopts a delegated act, the Commission shall notify it simultaneously to the European Parliament and to the Council.

6.   A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 6(10), Article 29(1) and Article 43(1) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the Council have informed the Commission that it will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the Council.

Article 52

Committee procedure

1.   The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Excise Duty. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER VIII

Reporting and transitional and final provisions

Reporting and transitional and final provisions

Article 53

Reporting on the implementation of this Directive

Every five years the Commission shall submit a report on the implementation of this Directive to the European Parliament and the Council. The first report shall be submitted three years after the application date of this Directive at the latest.

In particular, the first report shall assess the application and impact of national provisions adopted and applied pursuant to Article 32, taking into account relevant evidence of impact of these provisions as regards cross-border effects, fraud, avoidance, evasion or abuse, impact on smooth functioning of internal market and public health.

Member States shall, upon request, submit to the Commission available relevant information required to establish the report.

The report shall be accompanied by a legislative proposal, if appropriate.

Article 54

Transitional provisions

Member States shall allow the receipt of excise goods under the formalities set out in Articles 33, 34 and 35 of Directive 2008/118/EC until 31 December 2023.

The notifications referred to in Articles 21(5) of this Directive may be made by means other than the computerised system until 13 February 2024.

Article 55

Transposition

1.   Member States shall adopt and publish, by 31 December 2021, the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with Articles 2, 3, 6, 12, 16, 17, Articles 19 to 22, Articles 25 to 29, Articles 33 to 46, and Articles 54 and 55 and Article 57. They shall immediately communicate the text of those measures to the Commission.

Subject to Article 54, they shall apply those measures as from 13 February 2023.

When Member States adopt those measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. They shall also include a statement that references in existing laws, regulations and administrative provisions to the Directive repealed by this Directive shall be construed as references to this Directive. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made and how that statement is to be formulated.

2.   Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the main provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

Article 56

Repeal

Directive 2008/118/EC, as amended by the acts listed in Annex I, Part A, is repealed with effect from 13 February 2023, without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time limits for the transposition into national law and the dates of application of the Directives set out in Annex I, Part B.

References to the repealed Directive shall be construed as references to this Directive and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex II.

Article 57

Entry into force and application

This Directive shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Articles 1, 4, 5, Articles 7 to 11, Articles 13 to 15, Articles 18, 23, 24, Articles 30 to 32, Articles 47 to 53, Article 56 and Article 58 shall apply from 13 February 2023.

Article 58

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 19 December 2019.

For the Council

The President

K. MIKKONEN

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(1)  Opinion of 27 March 2019 (not yet published in the Official Journal).

1

(2)  Opinion of 17 October 2018 (OJ C 62, 15.2.2019, p. 108).

2

(3)  Council Directive 2008/118/EC of 16 December 2008 concerning the general arrangements for excise duty and repealing Directive 92/12/EEC (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 12).

3

(4)  Council Directive 92/83/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the harmonisation of the structures of excise duties on alcohol and alcoholic beverages (OJ L 316, 31.10.1992, p. 21).

4

(5)  Council Directive 92/84/EEC of 19 October 1992 on the approximation of the rates of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages (OJ L 316, 31.10.1992, p. 29).

5

(6)  Council Directive 2003/96/EC of 27 October 2003 restructuring the Community framework for the taxation of energy products and electricity (OJ L 283, 31.10.2003, p. 51).

6

(7)  Council Directive 2011/64/EU of 21 June 2011 on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to manufactured tobacco (OJ L 176, 5.7.2011, p. 24).

7

(8)  OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1.

8

(9)  Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).

9

(10)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 of 28 July 2015 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards detailed rules concerning certain provisions of the Union Customs Code (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 1).

10

(11)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/1063 of 16 May 2018 amending and correcting Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards detailed rules concerning certain provisions of the Union Customs Code (OJ L 192, 30.7.2018, p. 1).

11

(12)  Decision (EU) 2020/263 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2020 on computerising the movement and surveillance of excise goods (see page 43 of this Official Journal).

12

(13)  Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 of 24 November 2015 laying down detailed rules for implementing certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 343, 29.12.2015, p. 558).

13

(14)  Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1), as amended by Regulation (EU) 2016/2339 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2016 amending Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 laying down the Union Customs Code, as regards goods that have temporarily left the customs territory of the Union by sea or air (OJ L 354, 23.12.2016, p. 32).

14

(15)  Council Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 of 2 May 2012 on administrative cooperation in the field of excise duties and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2073/2004 (OJ L 121, 8.5.2012, p. 1).

15

(16)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/273 of 11 December 2017 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the scheme of authorisations for vine plantings, the vineyard register, accompanying documents and certification, the inward and outward register, compulsory declarations, notifications and publication of notified information, and supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the relevant checks and penalties, amending Commission Regulations (EC) No 555/2008, (EC) No 606/2009 and (EC) No 607/2009 and repealing Commission Regulation (EC) No 436/2009 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/560 (OJ L 58, 28.2.2018, p. 1).

16

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ANNEX I

PART A

REPEALED DIRECTIVE WITH LIST OF THE SUCCESSIVE AMENDMENTS THERETO

(referred to in Article 56)

| Council Directive 2008/118/EC | (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 12) |
| --- | --- |
| Council Directive 2010/12/EU | (OJ L 50, 27.2.2010, p. 1) |
| Treaty of Accession of Croatia | (OJ L 112, 24.4.2012, p. 10) |
| Council Directive 2013/61/EU | (OJ L 353, 28.12.2013, p. 5) |
| Council Directive (EU) 2019/2235 | (OJ L 336, 30.12.2019, p. 10) |

Council Directive 2008/118/EC

(OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 12)

Council Directive 2010/12/EU

(OJ L 50, 27.2.2010, p. 1)

Treaty of Accession of Croatia

(OJ L 112, 24.4.2012, p. 10)

Council Directive 2013/61/EU

(OJ L 353, 28.12.2013, p. 5)

Council Directive (EU) 2019/2235

(OJ L 336, 30.12.2019, p. 10)

PART B

TIME-LIMITS FOR TRANSPOSITION INTO NATIONAL LAW AND DATE OF APPLICATION

(referred to in Article 56)

| Directive | Time-limit for transposition | Date of application |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2008/118/EC | 1 January 2010 | 1 April 2010 |
| 2010/12/EU | 1 January 2011 | |
| 2013/61/EU | 1 January 2014 | |
| (EU) 2019/2235 | 30 June 2022 | 1 July 2022 |

Directive

Time-limit for transposition

Date of application

2008/118/EC

1 January 2010

1 April 2010

2010/12/EU

1 January 2011

2013/61/EU

1 January 2014

(EU) 2019/2235

30 June 2022

1 July 2022

---

ANNEX II

CORRELATION TABLE

| Directive 2008/118/EC | This Directive |
| --- | --- |
| Article 1 | Article 1 |
| Article 2 | Article 6(1) |
| Article 3(1), (2) and (3) | Article 2(1), (2) and (3) |
| Article 3(4) | – |
| – | Article 2(4) |
| Article 4, introductory wording | Article 3, introductory wording |
| Article 4, points (1) to (5) | Article 3, points (1) to (5) |
| Article 4, point (6) | – |
| Article 4, point (7) | Article 3, point (6) |
| Article 4, point (8) | Article 3, point (7) |
| – | Article 3, point (8) |
| Article 4, points (9) to (11) | Article 3, points (9) to (11) |
| – | Article 3, points (12) and (13) |
| Article 36(1), second subparagraph | Article 3, point (14) |
| – | Article 3, points (15) and (16) |
| Article 5(1) and (2) | Article 4(1) and (2) |
| Article 5(3), introductory wording | Article 4(3), introductory wording |
| Article 5(3)(a) to (e) | Article 4(3)(a) to (e) |
| Article 5(3)(f) and (g) | – |
| Article 5(4), (5) and (6) | Article 4(4), (5) and (6) |
| Article 6 | Article 5 |
| Article 7(1) to (3) | Article 6(2) to (4) |
| Article 7(4), first subparagraph | Article 6(5) |
| Article 7(4), second subparagraph | Article 6(6) |
| Article 7(4), third subparagraph | Article 6(9), first subparagraph |
| Article 7(5) | – |
| – | Article 6(7) |
| – | Article 6(8) |
| – | Article 6(9), second subparagraph |
| – | Article 6(10) |
| Article 8 | Article 7 |
| Article 9 | Article 8, first and second subparagraph |
| – | Article 8, third subparagraph |
| Articles 10 to 12 | Articles 9 to 11 |
| Article 13(1) | Article 12(1) |
| Article 13(2) | – |
| – | Article 12(2) and (3) |
| Article 13(3) | Article 12(4) |
| Article 14(1), (2) and (3) | Article 13(1), (2) and (3) |
| Article 14(4) | – |
| Article 14(5) | Article 13(4) |
| Articles 15 and 16 | Articles 14 and 15 |
| Article 17(1), introductory wording | Article 16(1), introductory wording |
| Article 17(1)(a), introductory wording | Article 16(1)(a), introductory wording |
| Article 17(1)(a)(i) to (iv) | Article 16(1)(a)(i) to (iv) |
| – | Article 16(1)(a)(v) |
| Article 17(1)(b) | Article 16(1)(b) |
| – | Article 16(2) and (3) |
| Article 17(2) | Article 16(4) |
| Article 17(3) | Article 16(5) |
| Article 18(1) | Article 17(1) |
| – | Article 17(2) |
| Article 18(2) | Article 17(3) |
| Article 18(3), first sentence | Article 17(4) |
| Article 18(4) | Article 17(5) |
| Article 18(3), second sentence | Article 17(6) |
| Article 19 | Article 18 |
| Article 20(1) | Article 19(1) |
| Article 20(2) | Article 19(2)(a) and (b) |
| – | Article 19(2)(c) |
| Article 21(1) to (4) | Article 20(1) to (4) |
| Article 21(5) | Article 21(1) |
| Article 21(6) | Article 20(5) |
| Article 21(7) | Article 20(6) |
| Article 21(8) | Article 20(7), first sentence |
| – | Article 20(7), second sentence |
| – | Article 21(2) to (5) |
| Article 22 | Article 22(1) and (2) |
| – | Article 22(3) |
| Article 23, first paragraph, introductory wording | Article 23(1), introductory wording |
| Article 23, first paragraph, point 1 | Article 23(1)(a) |
| Article 23, first paragraph, point 2 | Article 23(1)(b) |
| Article 23, first paragraph, point 3 | Article 23(1)(c) |
| Article 23, second paragraph | Article 23(2) |
| Article 24 | Article 24 |
| Article 25(1) | Article 25(1) |
| – | Article 25(2) |
| Article 25(2) | Article 25(3), first subparagraph |
| Article 25(3) | Article 25(3), second subparagraph |
| Article 26(1) and (2) | Article 26(1) and (2) |
| Article 26(3) | – |
| Article 26(4) and (5) | Article 26(3) and (4) |
| – | Article 26(5) |
| Article 27 | Article 27 |
| Article 28(1) | Article 28(1) |
| Article 28(2), first and second subparagraph | Article 28(2) and (3) |
| – | Article 28(4) |
| Article 28(2), third subparagraph | Article 28(5) |
| Article 29 | Article 29 |
| Article 30 | Article 30 |
| Article 31 | Article 31 |
| Article 32 | Article 32 |
| Article 33(1) | Article 33(1) and (2) |
| – | Article 33(3) and (4) |
| Article 33(2) | Article 33(5) |
| Article 33(3) and (4) | – |
| – | Article 34(1) and (2) |
| Article 33(5) | Article 34(3) |
| Article 33(6) | Article 37(4) |
| Article 34(1) | Article 35(1) |
| Article 34(2)(a), (b) and (c) | Article 35(2)(a), (b) and (c) |
| Article 34(2), second subparagraph | – |
| – | Article 35(3) to (8) |
| – | Articles 36 to 41 |
| Article 35 | Article 42 |
| – | Article 43 |
| Article 36(1), first subparagraph | Article 44(1) |
| Article 36(1), second subparagraph | Article 3, point (14) |
| Article 36(2) to (6) | Article 44(2) to (6) |
| Article 37(1), first subparagraph | Article 45(1) first subparagraph |
| – | Article 45(1), second subparagraph |
| – | Article 45(2) |
| Article 37(1), second subparagraph | Article 45(3), first subparagraph |
| Article 37(1), third subparagraph | Article 45(3), second subparagraph |
| Article 37(2) | – |
| Article 38 | Article 46(1) to (4) |
| – | Article 46(3), first subparagraph, second sentence |
| – | Article 46(5) |
| Article 39 | Article 47 |
| Article 40 | Article 48 |
| Article 41 | Article 49 |
| Article 42 | Article 50 |
| – | Article 51 |
| Article 43 | Article 52 |
| Article 44 | – |
| – | Articles 53 and 54 |
| Articles 45 and 46 | – |
| Article 47 | Article 56 |
| Article 48 | Article 55 |
| Article 49 | Article 57 |
| Article 50 | Article 58 |
| – | Annex I |
| – | Annex II |

Directive 2008/118/EC

This Directive

Article 1

Article 1

Article 2

Article 6(1)

Article 3(1), (2) and (3)

Article 2(1), (2) and (3)

Article 3(4)

–

–

Article 2(4)

Article 4, introductory wording

Article 3, introductory wording

Article 4, points (1) to (5)

Article 3, points (1) to (5)

Article 4, point (6)

–

Article 4, point (7)

Article 3, point (6)

Article 4, point (8)

Article 3, point (7)

–

Article 3, point (8)

Article 4, points (9) to (11)

Article 3, points (9) to (11)

–

Article 3, points (12) and (13)

Article 36(1), second subparagraph

Article 3, point (14)

–

Article 3, points (15) and (16)

Article 5(1) and (2)

Article 4(1) and (2)

Article 5(3), introductory wording

Article 4(3), introductory wording

Article 5(3)(a) to (e)

Article 4(3)(a) to (e)

Article 5(3)(f) and (g)

–

Article 5(4), (5) and (6)

Article 4(4), (5) and (6)

Article 6

Article 5

Article 7(1) to (3)

Article 6(2) to (4)

Article 7(4), first subparagraph

Article 6(5)

Article 7(4), second subparagraph

Article 6(6)

Article 7(4), third subparagraph

Article 6(9), first subparagraph

Article 7(5)

–

–

Article 6(7)

–

Article 6(8)

–

Article 6(9), second subparagraph

–

Article 6(10)

Article 8

Article 7

Article 9

Article 8, first and second subparagraph

–

Article 8, third subparagraph

Articles 10 to 12

Articles 9 to 11

Article 13(1)

Article 12(1)

Article 13(2)

–

–

Article 12(2) and (3)

Article 13(3)

Article 12(4)

Article 14(1), (2) and (3)

Article 13(1), (2) and (3)

Article 14(4)

–

Article 14(5)

Article 13(4)

Articles 15 and 16

Articles 14 and 15

Article 17(1), introductory wording

Article 16(1), introductory wording

Article 17(1)(a), introductory wording

Article 16(1)(a), introductory wording

Article 17(1)(a)(i) to (iv)

Article 16(1)(a)(i) to (iv)

–

Article 16(1)(a)(v)

Article 17(1)(b)

Article 16(1)(b)

–

Article 16(2) and (3)

Article 17(2)

Article 16(4)

Article 17(3)

Article 16(5)

Article 18(1)

Article 17(1)

–

Article 17(2)

Article 18(2)

Article 17(3)

Article 18(3), first sentence

Article 17(4)

Article 18(4)

Article 17(5)

Article 18(3), second sentence

Article 17(6)

Article 19

Article 18

Article 20(1)

Article 19(1)

Article 20(2)

Article 19(2)(a) and (b)

–

Article 19(2)(c)

Article 21(1) to (4)

Article 20(1) to (4)

Article 21(5)

Article 21(1)

Article 21(6)

Article 20(5)

Article 21(7)

Article 20(6)

Article 21(8)

Article 20(7), first sentence

–

Article 20(7), second sentence

–

Article 21(2) to (5)

Article 22

Article 22(1) and (2)

–

Article 22(3)

Article 23, first paragraph, introductory wording

Article 23(1), introductory wording

Article 23, first paragraph, point 1

Article 23(1)(a)

Article 23, first paragraph, point 2

Article 23(1)(b)

Article 23, first paragraph, point 3

Article 23(1)(c)

Article 23, second paragraph

Article 23(2)

Article 24

Article 24

Article 25(1)

Article 25(1)

–

Article 25(2)

Article 25(2)

Article 25(3), first subparagraph

Article 25(3)

Article 25(3), second subparagraph

Article 26(1) and (2)

Article 26(1) and (2)

Article 26(3)

–

Article 26(4) and (5)

Article 26(3) and (4)

–

Article 26(5)

Article 27

Article 27

Article 28(1)

Article 28(1)

Article 28(2), first and second subparagraph

Article 28(2) and (3)

–

Article 28(4)

Article 28(2), third subparagraph

Article 28(5)

Article 29

Article 29

Article 30

Article 30

Article 31

Article 31

Article 32

Article 32

Article 33(1)

Article 33(1) and (2)

–

Article 33(3) and (4)

Article 33(2)

Article 33(5)

Article 33(3) and (4)

–

–

Article 34(1) and (2)

Article 33(5)

Article 34(3)

Article 33(6)

Article 37(4)

Article 34(1)

Article 35(1)

Article 34(2)(a), (b) and (c)

Article 35(2)(a), (b) and (c)

Article 34(2), second subparagraph

–

–

Article 35(3) to (8)

–

Articles 36 to 41

Article 35

Article 42

–

Article 43

Article 36(1), first subparagraph

Article 44(1)

Article 36(1), second subparagraph

Article 3, point (14)

Article 36(2) to (6)

Article 44(2) to (6)

Article 37(1), first subparagraph

Article 45(1) first subparagraph

–

Article 45(1), second subparagraph

–

Article 45(2)

Article 37(1), second subparagraph

Article 45(3), first subparagraph

Article 37(1), third subparagraph

Article 45(3), second subparagraph

Article 37(2)

–

Article 38

Article 46(1) to (4)

–

Article 46(3), first subparagraph, second sentence

–

Article 46(5)

Article 39

Article 47

Article 40

Article 48

Article 41

Article 49

Article 42

Article 50

–

Article 51

Article 43

Article 52

Article 44

–

–

Articles 53 and 54

Articles 45 and 46

–

Article 47

Article 56

Article 48

Article 55

Article 49

Article 57

Article 50

Article 58

–

Annex I

–

Annex II

---

DECISIONS

| 27.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 58/43 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 58/43

---

DECISION (EU) 2020/263 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 15 January 2020

on computerising the movement and surveillance of excise goods

(recast)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 114(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),

Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (2),

Whereas:

| (1) | A number of amendments are to be made to Decision No 1152/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). In the interests of clarity, that Decision should be recast. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

A number of amendments are to be made to Decision No 1152/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3). In the interests of clarity, that Decision should be recast.

| (2) | Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 (4) provides that goods moving between the territories of the Member States under excise-duty suspension arrangements are to be accompanied by a document completed by the consignor. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 (4) provides that goods moving between the territories of the Member States under excise-duty suspension arrangements are to be accompanied by a document completed by the consignor.

| (3) | Commission Regulation (EC) No 684/2009 (5) lays down the structure and content of the accompanying document referred to in Directive (EU) 2020/262 and the procedure for its use. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Commission Regulation (EC) No 684/2009 (5) lays down the structure and content of the accompanying document referred to in Directive (EU) 2020/262 and the procedure for its use.

| (4) | In order to improve checks and allow the movement of excise goods inside the Union to be simplified, a computerised system was established by means of Decision No 1152/2003/EC. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

In order to improve checks and allow the movement of excise goods inside the Union to be simplified, a computerised system was established by means of Decision No 1152/2003/EC.

| (5) | It is necessary to further maintain and develop the computerised system for monitoring the movement of excise goods in order to allow Member States to obtain real-time information on such movement and to carry out the requisite manual and automated checks, including checks during the movement of excise goods within the meaning of Chapters IV and V of Directive (EU) 2020/262 and Chapter IV of Council Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 (6). |
| --- | --- |

(5)

It is necessary to further maintain and develop the computerised system for monitoring the movement of excise goods in order to allow Member States to obtain real-time information on such movement and to carry out the requisite manual and automated checks, including checks during the movement of excise goods within the meaning of Chapters IV and V of Directive (EU) 2020/262 and Chapter IV of Council Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 (6).

| (6) | The modification, extension and operation of the computerised system should allow the intra-Union movement of excise goods under duty suspension as well as the movement of excise goods which have already been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered for commercial purposes. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

The modification, extension and operation of the computerised system should allow the intra-Union movement of excise goods under duty suspension as well as the movement of excise goods which have already been released for consumption in the territory of one Member State and are moved to the territory of another Member State in order to be delivered for commercial purposes.

| (7) | Modifying and extending the computerised system serves to enhance the internal-market aspects of the movement of excise goods. Any fiscal aspects relating to the movement of excise goods should be addressed by amending Directive (EU) 2020/262 or Regulation (EU) No 389/2012. This Decision does not prejudice the legal basis of any future amendments to Directive (EU) 2020/262 or Regulation (EU) No 389/2012. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Modifying and extending the computerised system serves to enhance the internal-market aspects of the movement of excise goods. Any fiscal aspects relating to the movement of excise goods should be addressed by amending Directive (EU) 2020/262 or Regulation (EU) No 389/2012. This Decision does not prejudice the legal basis of any future amendments to Directive (EU) 2020/262 or Regulation (EU) No 389/2012.

| (8) | It is necessary to define the division between the Union and non-Union components of the computerised system, as well as the respective duties of the Commission and the Member States with regard to the system’s development and deployment. In that context, the Commission, assisted by the relevant Committee, should fulfil a major role in coordinating, organising and managing the system. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

It is necessary to define the division between the Union and non-Union components of the computerised system, as well as the respective duties of the Commission and the Member States with regard to the system’s development and deployment. In that context, the Commission, assisted by the relevant Committee, should fulfil a major role in coordinating, organising and managing the system.

| (9) | In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the measures necessary for the modification, extension and operation of the computerised system, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7). |
| --- | --- |

(9)

In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the measures necessary for the modification, extension and operation of the computerised system, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (7).

| (10) | Arrangements should be made for evaluating the implementation of the computerised system for monitoring excise goods. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Arrangements should be made for evaluating the implementation of the computerised system for monitoring excise goods.

| (11) | Before a new extension of the computerised system is operational, and given the problems which have been experienced, the Commission, in collaboration with Member States, and taking account of the views of the trade sectors concerned, should investigate whether any current paper-based systems are still suitable. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

Before a new extension of the computerised system is operational, and given the problems which have been experienced, the Commission, in collaboration with Member States, and taking account of the views of the trade sectors concerned, should investigate whether any current paper-based systems are still suitable.

| (12) | The costs of the computerised system should be shared between the Union and the Member States. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

The costs of the computerised system should be shared between the Union and the Member States.

| (13) | Due to the size and complexity of the computerised system, it is necessary that both the Union and the Member States provide human and financial resources for the development and deployment of the system. In developing the national components, Member States should apply the principles laid down for electronic government systems and should treat the economic operators in the same way as in the other fields where computer systems are set up. In particular, they should allow the economic operators, especially the small and medium-sized enterprises active in this sector, to use the national components at the lowest possible cost, and they should promote all measures aimed at preserving their competitiveness. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

Due to the size and complexity of the computerised system, it is necessary that both the Union and the Member States provide human and financial resources for the development and deployment of the system. In developing the national components, Member States should apply the principles laid down for electronic government systems and should treat the economic operators in the same way as in the other fields where computer systems are set up. In particular, they should allow the economic operators, especially the small and medium-sized enterprises active in this sector, to use the national components at the lowest possible cost, and they should promote all measures aimed at preserving their competitiveness.

| (14) | Since the objective of this Decision, namely to provide a basis for the governance of further automations of processes set out in Union legislation on excise duties, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective, |
| --- | --- |

(14)

Since the objective of this Decision, namely to provide a basis for the governance of further automations of processes set out in Union legislation on excise duties, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market, be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1.   This Decision makes provision for the management of the modification, extension and operation of the computerised system used for the movement and surveillance of excise goods referred to in Article 1(1) of Directive (EU) 2020/262 (‘the computerised system’).

2.   The computerised system is intended to:

| (a) | permit the electronic transmission of the administrative documents provided for in Directive (EU) 2020/262 and Regulation (EU) No 389/2012, and the improvement of checks; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

permit the electronic transmission of the administrative documents provided for in Directive (EU) 2020/262 and Regulation (EU) No 389/2012, and the improvement of checks;

| (b) | improve the functioning of the internal market, by simplifying the intra-Union movement of excise goods and by affording Member States the possibility of monitoring the flows in real time and of carrying out the requisite checks where necessary. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

improve the functioning of the internal market, by simplifying the intra-Union movement of excise goods and by affording Member States the possibility of monitoring the flows in real time and of carrying out the requisite checks where necessary.

Article 2

Activities relating to the initiation of extension of the computerised system shall begin by 10 February 2021.

Article 3

1.   The computerised system shall be made up of Union and non-Union components.

2.   The Commission shall ensure that in work on the Union components of the computerised system every attention is paid to reusing existing systems as much as possible and ensuring that the computerised system is compatible with other relevant Commission and Member State computerised systems, with the objective of creating an integrated set of computerised systems for the surveillance both of intra-Union movements of excise goods and of movements of excise goods and goods subject to other duties and charges coming from or going to third countries.

3.   The Union components of the computerised system shall be the common specifications, the technical products, the services of the Common Communications Network/Common Systems Interface network, and the coordination services used by all the Member States, to the exclusion of any variant or special feature of any such services designed to meet national requirements.

4.   The non-Union components of the computerised system shall be the national specifications, the national databases forming part of the computerised system, network connections between the Union and non-Union components and any software or equipment which a Member State considers necessary to ensure full use of the computerised system throughout its administration.

Article 4

1.   The Commission shall coordinate the modification, extension and operation of the Union and non-Union components of the computerised system, and in particular:

| (a) | the infrastructure and tools needed to guarantee the computerised system’s internal links and overall interoperability; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the infrastructure and tools needed to guarantee the computerised system’s internal links and overall interoperability;

| (b) | the development of a security policy of the highest standard possible in order to prevent unauthorised access to data and to guarantee the integrity of the computerised system; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the development of a security policy of the highest standard possible in order to prevent unauthorised access to data and to guarantee the integrity of the computerised system;

| (c) | the instruments for the exploitation of data to combat fraud. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the instruments for the exploitation of data to combat fraud.

2.   To achieve the aims set out in paragraph 1, the Commission shall conclude the necessary contracts for the modification and extension of the Union components of the computerised system and shall, in cooperation with the Member States meeting within the Committee referred to in Article 7(1), draw up a master plan and management plans required for the modification, extension and operation of the computerised system.

The master plan and the management plans shall specify the initial and routine tasks which the Commission and each Member State are to perform. The management plans shall specify the completion dates for the tasks required for carrying out each project identified in the master plan.

Article 5

1.   Member States shall complete, by the date specified in the management plans referred to in Article 4(2), the initial and routine tasks allocated to them.

They shall report to the Commission on the results of each task and the date of its completion. The Commission shall in turn inform the Committee referred to in Article 7(1) thereof.

2.   Member States shall not take any action relating to the modification, extension or operation of the computerised system that might affect its internal links and overall interoperability or its functioning as a whole.

Any measure that a Member State wishes to take that could affect either the computerised system’s internal links and overall interoperability or its functioning as a whole shall be taken with the prior agreement of the Commission.

3.   Member States shall inform the Commission regularly of any measure they have taken to enable their respective administrations to make full use of the computerised system. The Commission shall in turn inform the Committee referred to in Article 7(1) thereof.

Article 6

The Commission shall adopt implementing acts establishing the measures necessary for the modification, extension and operation of the computerised system as relating to the matters referred to in Article 4(1) and the second subparagraph of Article 5(2). Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 7(2). Those implementing acts shall not affect the Union provisions in relation to the raising and checking of indirect taxes or administrative cooperation and mutual assistance in matters of indirect taxation.

Article 7

1.   The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee on Excise Duty. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

Article 8

1.   The Commission shall verify that the measures financed from the general budget of the European Union are being carried out correctly and in compliance with the provisions of this Decision.

It shall regularly, in collaboration with the Member States, meeting in the Committee referred to in Article 7(1), monitor the various development and deployment stages of the computerised system with a view to determining whether the objectives pursued have been achieved and to issuing guidelines on how to increase the effectiveness of the activities involved in implementing the computerised system.

2.   By 10 February 2025 and every five years thereafter, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation and operation of the computerised system.

The report shall set out, inter alia, the methods and criteria to be used in the later evaluation of how the computerised system is functioning.

Article 9

The countries that have applied for membership of the Union shall be kept informed by the Commission of the development and deployment of the computerised system and may, if they so desire, take part in the tests to be carried out.

Article 10

1.   The costs of modifying and extending the computerised system shall be split between the Union and the Member States in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3.

2.   The Union shall bear the costs of the design, acquisition, installation and maintenance of the Union components of the computerised system and the ongoing operating costs of those Union components installed in Commission premises, or in those of a subcontractor designated by the Commission.

3.   Member States shall bear the costs of modifying, extending and operating the non-Union components of the computerised system and the ongoing operating costs of those Union components installed in their premises, or in those of a subcontractor designated by the Member State concerned.

Article 11

1.   The annual appropriations, including appropriations assigned to the use and operation of the computerised system after the implementation period, shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective set out in Regulation (EU) No 1286/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (8).

2.   Member States shall estimate and make available the budgets and human resources needed to meet their obligations described in Article 5. The Commission and the Member States shall provide the human, budgetary and technical resources needed to modify, extend, operate and further develop the computerised system.

Article 12

Decision No 1152/2003/EC is repealed.

References to the repealed Decision shall be construed as references to this Decision and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in the Annex.

Article 13

This Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 14

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Strasbourg, 15 January 2020.

For the European Parliament

The President

D. M. SASSOLI

For the Council

The President

N. BRNJAC

---

(1)  OJ C 62, 15.2.2019, p. 108.

1

(2)  Position of the European Parliament of 4 April 2019 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and decision of the Council of 19 December 2019.

2

(3)  Decision No 1152/2003/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 June 2003 on computerising the movement and surveillance of excisable products (OJ L 162, 1.7.2003, p. 5).

3

(4)  Council Directive (EU) 2020/262 of 19 December 2019 laying down the general arrangements for excise duty (see page 4 of this Official Journal).

4

(5)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 684/2009 of 24 July 2009 implementing Council Directive 2008/118/EC as regards the computerised procedures for the movement of excise goods under suspension of excise duty (OJ L 197, 29.7.2009, p. 24).

5

(6)  Council Regulation (EU) No 389/2012 of 2 May 2012 on administrative cooperation in the field of excise duties and repealing Regulation (EC) No 2073/2004 (OJ L 121, 8.5.2012, p. 1).

6

(7)  Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).

7

(8)  Regulation (EU) No 1286/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 establishing an action programme to improve the operation of taxation systems in the European Union for the period 2014-2020 (Fiscalis 2020) and repealing Decision No 1482/2007/EC (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 25).

8

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ANNEX

CORRELATION TABLE

| Decision No 1152/2003/EC | This Decision |
| --- | --- |
| Article 1 | Article 1 |
| Article 2, first paragraph | – |
| Article 2, second paragraph | Article 2 |
| Article 3 | Article 3 |
| Article 4 | Article 4 |
| Article 5 | Article 5 |
| Article 6 | Article 6 |
| Article 7(1) | Article 7(1) |
| Article 7(2) | Article 7(2) |
| Article 7(3) | – |
| Article 8(1) | Article 8(1) |
| Article 8(2) | – |
| Article 8(3) | Article 8(2) |
| Article 9 | Article 9 |
| Article 10 | Article 10 |
| Article 11(1), first subparagraph | – |
| Article 11(1), second subparagraph | Article 11(1) |
| Article 11(2) | Article 11(2) |
| – | Article 12 |
| Article 12 | Article 13 |
| Article 13 | Article 14 |
| – | Annex |

Decision No 1152/2003/EC

This Decision

Article 1

Article 1

Article 2, first paragraph

–

Article 2, second paragraph

Article 2

Article 3

Article 3

Article 4

Article 4

Article 5

Article 5

Article 6

Article 6

Article 7(1)

Article 7(1)

Article 7(2)

Article 7(2)

Article 7(3)

–

Article 8(1)

Article 8(1)

Article 8(2)

–

Article 8(3)

Article 8(2)

Article 9

Article 9

Article 10

Article 10

Article 11(1), first subparagraph

–

Article 11(1), second subparagraph

Article 11(1)

Article 11(2)

Article 11(2)

–

Article 12

Article 12

Article 13

Article 13

Article 14

–

Annex

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II Non-legislative acts

DECISIONS

| 27.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 58/49 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 58/49

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DECISION (EU) 2020/264 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 27 November 2019

on the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund to provide for the payment of advances in the general budget of the Union for 2020

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund (1), and in particular Article 4a(4) thereof,

Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management (2), and in particular point 11 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas:

| (1) | The European Union Solidarity Fund (the ‘Fund’) aims to enable the Union to respond in a rapid, efficient and flexible manner to emergency situations in order to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by natural disasters. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The European Union Solidarity Fund (the ‘Fund’) aims to enable the Union to respond in a rapid, efficient and flexible manner to emergency situations in order to show solidarity with the population of regions struck by natural disasters.

| (2) | The Fund is not to exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 500 000 000 (2011 prices) as laid down in Article 10 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 (3). |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The Fund is not to exceed a maximum annual amount of EUR 500 000 000 (2011 prices) as laid down in Article 10 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 (3).

| (3) | Article 4a(4) of Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 provides that, where necessary in order to ensure the timely availability of budgetary resources, the Fund may be mobilised in an amount of up to EUR 50 000 000 for the payment of advances, entering the corresponding appropriations into the general budget of the Union. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Article 4a(4) of Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 provides that, where necessary in order to ensure the timely availability of budgetary resources, the Fund may be mobilised in an amount of up to EUR 50 000 000 for the payment of advances, entering the corresponding appropriations into the general budget of the Union.

| (4) | To ensure the timely availability of sufficient budgetary resources in the general budget of the Union for 2020, the Fund should be mobilised in the amount of EUR 50 000 000 for the payment of advances. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

To ensure the timely availability of sufficient budgetary resources in the general budget of the Union for 2020, the Fund should be mobilised in the amount of EUR 50 000 000 for the payment of advances.

| (5) | In order to minimise the time taken to mobilise the Fund, this Decision should apply from the beginning of the 2020 financial year, |
| --- | --- |

(5)

In order to minimise the time taken to mobilise the Fund, this Decision should apply from the beginning of the 2020 financial year,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2020, the European Union Solidarity Fund shall be mobilised to provide the amount of EUR 50 000 000 in commitment and payment appropriations for the payment of advances.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2020.

Done at Strasbourg, 27 November 2019.

For the European Parliament

The President

D. M. SASSOLI

For the Council

The President

T. TUPPURAINEN

---

(1)  OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.

1

(2)  OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1.

2

(3)  Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884).

3

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| 27.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 58/51 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 58/51

---

DECISION (EU) 2020/265 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

of 27 November 2019

on the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument to finance immediate budgetary measures to address the ongoing challenges of migration, refugee inflows and security threats

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to the Interinstitutional Agreement of 2 December 2013 between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management (1), and in particular point 12 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Whereas,

| (1) | The Flexibility Instrument is intended to allow the financing of clearly identified expenditure which could not be financed within the limits of the ceilings available for one or more other headings. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Flexibility Instrument is intended to allow the financing of clearly identified expenditure which could not be financed within the limits of the ceilings available for one or more other headings.

| (2) | The ceiling on the annual amount available for the Flexibility Instrument is EUR 600 000 000 (2011 prices), as laid down in Article 11 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 (2) increased, where applicable, by lapsed amounts made available in accordance with the second subparagraph of paragraph 1 of that Article. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The ceiling on the annual amount available for the Flexibility Instrument is EUR 600 000 000 (2011 prices), as laid down in Article 11 of Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 (2) increased, where applicable, by lapsed amounts made available in accordance with the second subparagraph of paragraph 1 of that Article.

| (3) | In order to address the ongoing challenges of migration, refugee inflows and security threats, it is necessary to mobilise significant additional amounts to finance such measures as a matter of urgency. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

In order to address the ongoing challenges of migration, refugee inflows and security threats, it is necessary to mobilise significant additional amounts to finance such measures as a matter of urgency.

| (4) | Having examined all possibilities for reallocating appropriations under the expenditure ceiling of heading 3 (Security and citizenship), it is necessary to mobilise the Flexibility Instrument to supplement the financing available in the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2020 beyond the ceiling of heading 3 by the amount of EUR 778 074 489 to finance measures in the field of migration, refugees and security. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

Having examined all possibilities for reallocating appropriations under the expenditure ceiling of heading 3 (Security and citizenship), it is necessary to mobilise the Flexibility Instrument to supplement the financing available in the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2020 beyond the ceiling of heading 3 by the amount of EUR 778 074 489 to finance measures in the field of migration, refugees and security.

| (5) | On the basis of the expected payment profile, the payment appropriations corresponding to the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument should be distributed over several financial years. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

On the basis of the expected payment profile, the payment appropriations corresponding to the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument should be distributed over several financial years.

| (6) | In order to allow for the quick use of the funds, this Decision should apply from the beginning of the financial year 2020. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

In order to allow for the quick use of the funds, this Decision should apply from the beginning of the financial year 2020.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1.   For the general budget of the Union for the financial year 2020, the Flexibility Instrument shall be mobilised to provide the amount of EUR 778 074 489 in commitment appropriations in heading 3 (Security and Citizenship).

The amounts referred to in the first subparagraph shall be used to finance measures to address the ongoing challenges of migration, refugee inflows and security threats.

2.   On the basis of the expected payment profile, the payment appropriations corresponding to the mobilisation of the Flexibility Instrument shall be estimated as follows:

| (a) | EUR 407 402 108 in 2020; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

EUR 407 402 108 in 2020;

| (b) | EUR 312 205 134 in 2021; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

EUR 312 205 134 in 2021;

| (c) | EUR 42 336 587 in 2022; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

EUR 42 336 587 in 2022;

| (d) | EUR 16 130 660 in 2023. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

EUR 16 130 660 in 2023.

The specific amounts of payment appropriations for each financial year shall be authorised in accordance with the annual budgetary procedure.

Article 2

This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2020.

Done at Strasbourg, 27 November 2019.

For the European Parliament

The President

D. M. SASSOLI

For the Council

The President

T. TUPPURAINEN

---

(1)  OJ C 373, 20.12.2013, p. 1.

1

(2)  Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1311/2013 of 2 December 2013 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2014-2020 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 884).

2

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| 27.2.2020 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | L 58/53 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

27.2.2020

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 58/53

---

COUNCIL DECISION (EU, Euratom) 2020/266

of 25 February 2020

authorising the opening of negotiations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for a new partnership agreement

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in particular Article 217, in conjunction with Article 218(3) and (4) thereof,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, in particular Article 101 thereof,

Having regard to the recommendation from the European Commission,

Whereas:

| (1) | On 1 February 2020, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (‘the United Kingdom’) withdrew from the European Union. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

On 1 February 2020, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (‘the United Kingdom’) withdrew from the European Union.

| (2) | The arrangements for the withdrawal are set out in the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (1) (‘the Withdrawal Agreement’) negotiated and concluded in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The arrangements for the withdrawal are set out in the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (1) (‘the Withdrawal Agreement’) negotiated and concluded in accordance with Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.

| (3) | The Withdrawal Agreement entered into force on 1 February 2020 and provides for a transition period during which Union law applies to and in the United Kingdom in accordance with that Agreement. That period will end on 31 December 2020, unless the Joint Committee established by the Withdrawal Agreement adopts, before 1 July 2020, a single decision extending the transition period for up to 1 or 2 years. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

The Withdrawal Agreement entered into force on 1 February 2020 and provides for a transition period during which Union law applies to and in the United Kingdom in accordance with that Agreement. That period will end on 31 December 2020, unless the Joint Committee established by the Withdrawal Agreement adopts, before 1 July 2020, a single decision extending the transition period for up to 1 or 2 years.

| (4) | In the guidelines of 23 March 2018, the European Council restated the Union’s determination to have as close as possible a partnership with the United Kingdom in the future. According to those guidelines, such a partnership should cover trade and economic cooperation, and also other areas, in particular the fight against terrorism and international crime, as well as security, defence and foreign policy. The European Council set those guidelines with a view to the opening of negotiations on the overall understanding of the framework for the future relationship that was to be elaborated in a political declaration accompanying and referred to in the Withdrawal Agreement. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

In the guidelines of 23 March 2018, the European Council restated the Union’s determination to have as close as possible a partnership with the United Kingdom in the future. According to those guidelines, such a partnership should cover trade and economic cooperation, and also other areas, in particular the fight against terrorism and international crime, as well as security, defence and foreign policy. The European Council set those guidelines with a view to the opening of negotiations on the overall understanding of the framework for the future relationship that was to be elaborated in a political declaration accompanying and referred to in the Withdrawal Agreement.

| (5) | The political declaration that accompanied the Withdrawal Agreement sets out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom (2) (the ‘Political Declaration’). It establishes the parameters of an ambitious, broad, deep and flexible partnership across trade and economic cooperation with a comprehensive and balanced Free Trade Agreement at its core, law enforcement and criminal justice, foreign policy, security and defence and wider areas of cooperation. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The political declaration that accompanied the Withdrawal Agreement sets out the framework for the future relationship between the European Union and the United Kingdom (2) (the ‘Political Declaration’). It establishes the parameters of an ambitious, broad, deep and flexible partnership across trade and economic cooperation with a comprehensive and balanced Free Trade Agreement at its core, law enforcement and criminal justice, foreign policy, security and defence and wider areas of cooperation.

| (6) | Article 184 of the Withdrawal Agreement provides that the Union and the United Kingdom are to use their best endeavours, in good faith and in full respect of their respective legal orders, to take the necessary steps to negotiate expeditiously the agreements governing their future relationship referred to in the Political Declaration and to conduct the relevant procedures for the ratification or conclusion of those agreements, with a view to ensuring that those agreements apply, to the extent possible, as from the end of the transition period. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Article 184 of the Withdrawal Agreement provides that the Union and the United Kingdom are to use their best endeavours, in good faith and in full respect of their respective legal orders, to take the necessary steps to negotiate expeditiously the agreements governing their future relationship referred to in the Political Declaration and to conduct the relevant procedures for the ratification or conclusion of those agreements, with a view to ensuring that those agreements apply, to the extent possible, as from the end of the transition period.

| (7) | In its conclusions of 13 December 2019, the European Council reconfirmed its desire to establish as close as possible a future relationship with the United Kingdom in line with the Political Declaration and respecting the previously agreed guidelines of the European Council, as well as statements and declarations, notably those of 25 November 2018. The European Council reiterated in particular that the future relationship with the United Kingdom will have to be based on a balance of rights and obligations and ensure a level playing field. The European Council welcomed the Commission’s decision to reappoint Mr Michel BARNIER for the negotiations on the future relationship and invited the Commission to submit to the Council a draft comprehensive mandate for a future relationship with the United Kingdom immediately after its withdrawal. The European Council stated that it would follow the negotiations closely and provide further general political directions as necessary. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

In its conclusions of 13 December 2019, the European Council reconfirmed its desire to establish as close as possible a future relationship with the United Kingdom in line with the Political Declaration and respecting the previously agreed guidelines of the European Council, as well as statements and declarations, notably those of 25 November 2018. The European Council reiterated in particular that the future relationship with the United Kingdom will have to be based on a balance of rights and obligations and ensure a level playing field. The European Council welcomed the Commission’s decision to reappoint Mr Michel BARNIER for the negotiations on the future relationship and invited the Commission to submit to the Council a draft comprehensive mandate for a future relationship with the United Kingdom immediately after its withdrawal. The European Council stated that it would follow the negotiations closely and provide further general political directions as necessary.

| (8) | Negotiations should therefore be opened with a view to concluding a new partnership agreement with the United Kingdom. The Commission should be nominated as the Union negotiator. For Common Foreign and Security Policy matters, the Commission will conduct negotiations in agreement with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Negotiations should therefore be opened with a view to concluding a new partnership agreement with the United Kingdom. The Commission should be nominated as the Union negotiator. For Common Foreign and Security Policy matters, the Commission will conduct negotiations in agreement with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Commission is hereby authorised to open negotiations for a new partnership agreement with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Article 2

The Commission is hereby nominated as the Union negotiator.

Article 3

The negotiations shall be conducted in consultation with the Working Party on the United Kingdom and in accordance with the directives contained in the addendum, subject to any directives which the Council may subsequently issue to the Commission.

Article 4

This Decision is addressed to the Commission.

Done at Brussels, 25 February 2020.

For the Council

The President

A. METELKO-ZGOMBIĆ

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(1)  OJ L 29, 31.1.2020, p. 7.

1

(2)  OJ C 34, 31.1.2020, p. 1.

2

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