No C 105/2 Official Journal of the European Communities 26. 4. 79 
Furthermore, as they are collected even on consignments 
of low value, their economic impact is not negligible. 
4. The Committee regrets that the Commission has 
not seen fit to propose the total abolition of these 
charges. In fact, postal rates should normally cover all 
Done at Brussels, 19 October 1978. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 198 
thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of the 
European Communities on 25 July 1978 for an opinion, 
Having regard to its Rules of Procedure, and in 
particular Articles 18 and 46 thereof, 
Having regard to the oral report submitted by the 
rapporteur-general, Mr Marvier, the services provided by the postal administration, 
including the presentation of parcels to customs when 
this is necessary. 
5. Subject to these reservations, the Committee feels, 
however, that the proposed text represents progress and 
approves it. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Fabrizia BADUEL GLORIOSO 
Having regard to the discussions at its 162nd plenary 
session held on 18 and 19 October 1978 (meeting on 
19 October), 
HAS ADOPTED THE FOLLOWING OPINION 
unanimously: 
1. The Committee approves the proposed change in 
the duty exemptions enjoyed by travellers coming 
directly from non-member countries. The change takes 
into account both the technical adjustments necessitated 
by the introduction on 1 January 1979 of the European 
unit of account and the measures recommended in an 
Annex (on duty-free concessions for travellers) to the 
International Convention on the simplification and 
harmonization of customs procedures. Opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EEC) No 1544/69 
on the tariff treatment applicable to goods contained in travellers' personal luggage 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 184 of 2 August 1978, page 4. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 25 July 1978 the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic and 
Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 162nd 
plenary session held in Brussels on 18 and 19 October 1978. 
26. 4. 79 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 105/3 
2. The proposed adjustment is consistent with what 
the Committee called for in its opinion of 30 March 
1977 (1). There the Committee urged that an increase 
proportional to that in the intra-Community exemptions 
(!) OJ No C 114, 11. 5. 1977, p. 33. 
Done at Brussels, 19 October 1978. 
Opinion on the: 
THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 198 
thereof, 
Having regard to the request made by the Council of the 
European Communities on 11 September 1978 for an 
opinion, be made in the exemptions granted to travellers coming 
from non-member countries. 
3. The Committee regrets that no Council decision 
has yet been taken on exemptions for travellers moving 
between Member States. 
The Chairman 
of the Economic and Social Committee 
Fabrizia BADUEL GLORIOSO 
Having regard to its Rules of Procedure, and in 
particular Articles 18 and 46 thereof, 
Having regard to the oral report submitted by the 
rapporteur-general, Mr Marvier, 
Having regard to the discussions at its 162nd plenary 
session held on 18 and 19 October 1978 (meeting of 
19 October), — proposal for a fourth Council Directive amending Directive 69/169/EEC on the 
harmonization of provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action 
relating to exemption from turnover tax and excise duty on imports in international travel 
— proposal for a second Council Directive amending Directive 74/651/EEC on the tax 
reliefs to be allowed on the importation of goods in small consignments of a 
non-commercial character within the Community 
— amendment to the proposal for a Council Directive on the exemption from taxes on 
importation of small consignments from third countries of goods of a non-commercial 
nature (submitted by the Commission to the Council in accordance with the second 
paragraph of Article 149 of the EEC Treaty) 
The text referred to the Committee has been published in Official Journal of the European 
Communities No C 213 of 7 September 1978 page 9. 
A. LEGAL BASIS FOR THE OPINION 
On 11 September 1978, the Council referred the abovementioned proposal to the Economic 
and Social Committee in accordance with Article 198 of the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community. 
B. OPINION OF THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 
The Economic and Social Committee prepared its opinion on the above matter at its 162nd 
plenary session held in Brussels on 18 and 19 October 1978. 
The full text of the opinion is as follows: