Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an action programme for customs in the Community (Customs 2013) {SEC(2006) 570}
Date: 2006-05-17
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, action programme, customs cooperation

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 17.5.2006 
COM(2006) 201 final 

2006/0075 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

establishing an action programme for customs in the Community  
(Customs 2013) 

(presented by the Commission) 

{SEC(2006) 570} 

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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 

1)  CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL 

110 

•  Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 

Decision  No  253/2003  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  establishes 
Customs 2007, an action programme for customs in the Community, which will end on 
31  December  2007.  On  6  April  2005  the  Commission  adopted  a  Communication1 
expressing  the  desirability  to  extend  the  Customs  2007  and  Fiscalis  2003-2007 
programmes with respectively the Customs 20132 and the Fiscalis 2013 programme.  

120 

•  General context 

One of the major challenges facing the European Union over the next years is to create 
growth  and  jobs,  as  laid  down  in  the  re-launch  of  the  Lisbon  Strategy3.  The  2013 
programme  will  actively  contribute  to  the  realisation  of  this  Strategy  by  bringing  a 
major  contribution  to  the  competitiveness  of  EU  companies,  both  in  the  internal  and 
global markets.  

The  2013  programme  will  support  Customs  administrations  of  the  participating 
countries to facilitate legitimate trade and to simplify and speed up procedures, whilst 
protecting  the  security  and  safety  of  citizens  and  the  financial  interests  of  the 
Community. 

The new programme will in particular:  

•  Support  the  development  of  a  pan-European  electronic  customs  environment  and 

contribute to the implementation of the modernised Customs Code. 

•  Pursue the further expansion of international customs cooperation between the EU 
customs  administrations  and  third  countries  customs  authorities  in  the  field  of 
supply chain security, in accordance with the EU international obligations.  

•  Support  the  further  development  and  implementation  of  the  Authorised  Economic 

Operator Concept to provide facilitation to compliant traders. 

•  Ensure the maintenance of the current operational trans European IT systems. 

•  Pursue  further  development  of  cooperation,  exchange  of  information  and  best 
practices  with  the  Customs  administrations  of  third  countries,  in  particular  the 
candidate  countries,  the  potential  candidate  countries,  and  the  partner  countries  of 
the European Neighbourhood Policy. 

1 
2 

3 

COM/2005/11 of 6 April 2005 (Impact Assessment–SEC 2005/423). 
The  wording  Customs  programme  refers  to  the  Customs  programme  as  such  regardless  whether  it  is 
Customs  2000,  2002,  2007  or  2013.  If  we  refer  to  a  particular  programme,  we  refer  to  it  as  2007 
programme or 2013 programme. 
COM(2005) 330 of 20 July 2005 and SEC (2005)622/3 of 2 May 2005. 

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130 

141 

•  Existing provisions in the area of the proposal 

The Customs 2013 programme is the successor of the Customs 2007 programme. 

•  Consistency with the other policies and objectives of the Union 

Not applicable. 

2)  CONSULTATION OF INTERESTED PARTIES AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT 

•  Consultation of interested parties 

211  Consultation methods, main sectors targeted and general profile of respondents 

All  participating  countries  participated  in  the  mid-term  evaluation  e-survey  and  case 
study  visits  were  conducted  in  six  of  them.  During  these  visits,  in-depth  interviews 
have  been  organised  with  coordinators  of  the  programme,  users  of  the  IT  systems, 
participants  in  events,  the  hierarchy  of  the  Customs  administrations  as  well  as 
economic operators. For the mid-term evaluation, economic operators who participated 
in  the  Transit  contact  group  and  e-customs  Contact  Group  were  also  interviewed. 
Participants in programme events are regularly asked for feedback as part of a built- in 
monitoring system for the 2007 programme.  

212 

Summary of responses and how they have been taken into account 

Stakeholders  consider  the  Customs  programme  highly  relevant  to  the  needs  of 
administrations and consider the Customs programme to be essential to make the EU 
Customs Union function. Participating countries appreciated in particular the flexibility 
offered  by  the  programme  and  want  this  to  be  maintained  in  the  future.  They  also 
emphasised that the programme has a key role in supporting participating countries to 
learn from each other and as such allow them to avoid costly mistakes. The mid-term 
evaluation recommended reinforcing activities in the area of training and dissemination 
of  information.  These  recommendations  have  been  taken  into  account  when  drafting 
the new proposal. 

•  Collection and use of expertise 

229  There was no need for external expertise. 

230 

•  Impact assessment 

A first policy option, the stopping of the Customs programme, will have an immediate 
and devastating effect for the internal market and the implementation of the Customs 
Union in particular.  

A  second  policy  option,  setting  up  the  2013  programme  as  an  extension  of  the  2007 
programme  without  providing  additional  resources  to  support  new  policy  initiatives 
and/or to reply to changed circumstances,  would imply a progressive deterioration of 
the current situation. Although this option might look satisfactory in the short term, it 
would  soon  show  its  limitations  and  undesirable  effects,  as  it  would  not  provide 
customs  administrations  with  sufficient  resources  to  address  the  forthcoming 

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challenges.  

A third policy option foresees that the 2013 programme is set up as an extension of the 
2007 programme reinforced with additional financial resources to support new policy 
initiatives on the one hand and to foresee a marginal increase of the budget of all other 
sub-headers  on  the  other  hand.  The  new  policy  initiatives  which  will  contribute  to  a 
large extent to the development of a fully-fledged electronic customs administration (e-
customs  initiative)  will  absorb  the  largest  share  of  these  additional  resources. 
Additional budget is also required to upgrade the trans European IT systems to absorb 
the  expected  increase  in  exchange  of  information,  while  a  limited  share  of  the 
additional  resources  will  be  used  to  develop  initiatives  to  support  the  promotion  of 
knowledge sharing, in the area of e-learning and the dissemination of information. 

231  The  Commission  carried  out  an  impact  assessment  listed  in  the  Work  Programme, 

whose report is accessible on reference SEC(2006)570. 

3)  LEGAL ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL 

305 

•  Summary of the proposed action 

Establishing an action programme for customs in the Community (Customs 2013) 

310 

•  Legal basis 

The Treaty establishing the European Community and especially Article 95 

320 

•  Subsidiarity principle 

The  subsidiarity  principle  applies  insofar  as  the  proposal  does  not  fall  under  the 
exclusive competence of the Community. 

The  objectives  of  the  proposal  cannot  be sufficiently  achieved  by  the  Member  States 
for the following reason(s): 

321  Since the objectives of the measures laid down in this Decision cannot be sufficiently 
achieved by the participating countries and can therefore, by reason of the scale and the 
effect of the action be better achieved at Community level, the community may adopt 
measures in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the 
Treaty.  

327 

Community action will better achieve the objectives of the proposal for the following 
reason(s). 

Although the primary responsibility for achieving the objectives of this programme lies 
with  the  participating  countries,  Community  action  is  needed  for  the  coordination  of 
the  activities  pursued  under  the  programme  as  well  as  for  the  provision  of  an 
infrastructure and the necessary stimulus 

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The proposal therefore complies with the subsidiarity principle. 

•  Proportionality principle 

The proposal complies with the proportionality principle for the following reason(s). 

331 

In  accordance  with  the  principle  of  proportionality  as  set  out  in  Article  5  EC,  this 
Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve its objectives.  

•  Choice of instruments 

341  Proposed instruments: other (Community Programme). 

342  Other means would not be adequate for the following reason(s). 

Not applicable 

4)  BUDGETARY IMPLICATION 

401  The  operational  costs  to  be  borne  by  the  Community  can  be  broken  down  into  two 
main  categories,  Joint  Actions  and  IT  Actions.  Joint  Actions  cover  benchmarking 
actions,  seminars,  workshops,  project  groups,  working  visits,  monitoring  actions, 
training, and any other activities under Article 1(2)(h). IT actions cover the functioning 
and  evolution  of  existing  trans  European  systems  and  the  development  and 
implementation of new systems. 

The total amount to be borne by the Community’s budget is EUR 323,8 million. The 
2013  programme  is  a  six  year  programme  aligned  with  the  duration  of  the  financial 
perspectives 2007 – 2013. 

The implementation of this Community programme should rest on recourse to service 
suppliers  by  means  of  technical  and  administrative  assistance  contracts.  The 
Commission  reserves  itself  the  possibility  of  examining  whether  certain  tasks  of 
implementation of this programme could be entrusted to an executive agency. 

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5)  ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

•  Repeal of existing legislation 

The adoption of the proposal will lead to the repeal of existing legislation. 

•  Detailed explanation of the proposal 

Article 7: Communication and information exchange systems 

Trans European communication and information exchange systems play a vital role to 
enable  Customs  administrations  to  act  as  if  they  were  one,  and  in  particular  to 
guarantee  their  effectiveness  and  efficiency.  The  2013  programme  will  support  the 
customs related systems that are being developed or which are operational at the entry 
into  force  of  this  decision,  as  well  as  the  development  of  any  new  customs  related 
systems established under Community legislation.  

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The electronic customs initiative will be supported by the 2013 programme. The pan-
european  eGovernment  action,  as  provided  for  in  Decision  2004/387/EC  of  the 
European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on the interoperable delivery 
of  pan-european  eGovernment  services  to  public  administrations,  businesses  and 
citizens (IDABC)4, requires measures to increase the efficiency of the organisation of 
customs  controls  and  to  ensure  the  seamless  flow  of  data  in  order  to  make  customs 
clearance  more  efficient,  to  reduce  the  administrative  burden,  to  help  combat  fraud, 
organised crime and terrorism, to serve fiscal interests, to protect intellectual property 
and cultural heritage, to increase the safety of goods and the security of international 
trade  and  to  enhance  health  and  environmental  protection.  For  that  purpose,  the 
provision of information and communication technologies (ICT) for customs purposes 
is  of  crucial  interest  and  therefore  the  Commission  has  launched  the  initiative  to 
introduce an electronic, paper-free customs environment in the Community5. 

The previous programmes have demonstrated that extensive coordination between the 
stakeholders  is  essential  for  the  smooth  management  of  these  trans  European  IT 
systems.  Similar  commitment  of  the  Commission  and  participating  countries,  each  in 
their respective domain to ensure the functioning of existing systems and development 
of  future  trans  European  applications,  is  another  essential  element.  The  proposal 
provides for a clear split of responsibilities between the Commission and participating 
countries.  

The  Commission  may  make  the  communication  and  information  exchange  systems 
available to other public service for customs or non-customs purposes provided that a 
financial contribution is paid to the programme budget. 

Article 8: Benchmarking 

Benchmarking  activities  are  organised  to  improve  the  performance  of  the  customs 
administration  by  comparing  working  methods.  The  mid-term  evaluation  emphasised 
the usefulness of benchmarking. 

Article 9: Seminars and workshops 

Seminars  provide  an  environment  to  disseminate  and  exchange  information,  to 
generate  and  explore  new  ideas,  and  to  share  knowledge,  expertise  and  experience 
between  participating  countries.  Where  appropriate,  representatives  from  trade  with 
particularly relevant knowledge or other delegates possessing a particular expertise will 
be invited. In order to gain commitment and to ensure a strategic overview, a high level 
seminar may be organised to kick off a major new activity. Participating countries may 
study specific technical areas in-depth in workshops, which can be part of a seminar or 
stand on themselves. 

Article 10: Project groups and steering groups 

Project  groups  have  specific  pre-defined  objectives  and  expected  outcomes  and  are 
limited  in  number  and  time.  In  these  groups,  business  experts  exchange  information 

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OJ L 144, 30.04.2004, corrected version in OJ L 181, 18.5.2004, p.2. 
COM(2005)609 final of 30.11.2005. 

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and  views  and  as  such  broaden  their  knowledge.  In  this  way  a  small  number  of 
Member States develops expertise that is valuable and consequently made available for 
all Participating countries.  

An  important  task  of  the  2013  programme  is  the  coordination  between  its  different 
actions  through  the  organisation  of  steering  groups  where  representatives  of  all 
Participating countries meet. 

Article 11: Working visits 

Working  visits  are 
in  another  administration  a  particular 
administrative  practice  or  to  find  a  solution  for  a  problem  of  strategic  or  practical 
nature. 

to  study 

targeted 

Article 12: Training activities 

Throughout the successive Customs programmes, it became very clear that a common 
approach  towards  training  is  essential  to  ensure  that  officials  of  all  participating 
countries acquire the necessary common professional skills and knowledge. The 2013 
programme  will  build  further  on  the  expertise  acquired  under  the  2007  programme, 
especially  concerning  the  development  of  blended  learning  methods  and  common 
content. 

Article 13: Monitoring actions 

During monitoring actions, officials from the Commission and participating countries 
jointly carry out visits to check the extent to which the Community law is implemented 
at  national  level  and  which  obstacles  may  be  encountered.  These  activities  give 
valuable information for the development of further assistance or activities which will 
remedy the situation. 

Article 1(2)h: Any other activities 

In  the  2007  programme,  it  became  clear  that  circumstances  may  require  the 
development of a tailor-made action to answer a particular need. The 2013 programme 
will allow developing any other activity required for the realisation of the objectives of 
the programme. 

Article 3: Participation in the programme 

The participating countries are the Member States of the European Union, as well as 
the  candidate,  potential  candidate  countries  and  certain  partner  countries  of  the 
European  Neighbourhood Policy  (ENP)  in so far as the necessary arrangements  have 
been agreed. 

Article 14: Participation in activities under the programme 

Representatives  of  international  organisations,  administrations  of  third  countries, 
economic operators and their organisations may take part in activities organised under 
the programme whenever this is essential to carry out the objectives of the programme. 

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Article 15: Information sharing 

The mid-term evaluation of the 2007 programme has confirmed the need to organise in 
a  more  structured  way  the  information  sharing  and  knowledge  exchange  between 
administrations  and  between  administrations  and  the  Commission,  as  well  as  the 
consolidation  of  knowledge  created  during  programme  events.  Therefore,  the  2013 
programme  will  pay  particular  attention  to  information  sharing  and  knowledge 
management. 

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2006/0075 (COD) 

Proposal for a 

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 

establishing an action programme for customs in the Community  
(Customs 2013) 

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 
95 thereof, 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission6, 

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee7, 

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty, 

Whereas: 

(1) 

(2) 

A major objective for the Community over the next years is the creation of growth and 
jobs, as reflected in the re-launch of the Lisbon Strategy. The previous programmes in 
the customs field, in particular Decision No 253/2003/EC of the European Parliament 
and the Council of 12 February 2003 adopting an action programme for customs in the 
Community8,  (hereinafter  “Customs  2007”)  have  significantly  contributed  to  the 
achievement of that objective and to the overall objectives of the Customs policy. It is 
therefore appropriate to continue activities commenced under those programmes. This 
programme  should  be  established  for  a  period  of  six  years  to  align  its  duration  with 
that  of  the  Multi-Annual  Financial  Framework  contained  in  the  Inter-institutional 
agreement of (date to be inserted) between the European Parliament, the Council and 
the Commission on budgetary discipline and sound financial management9. 

Customs administrations play a vital role in protecting the interests of the Community, 
particularly its financial interests. They also provide an equivalent level of protection 
to  the  citizens  and  economic  operators  of  the  Community  at  any  point  in  the 
Community customs territory where customs clearance formalities are carried out. In 
this  context,  the  strategic  policy  defined  by  the  Customs  Policy  Group  has  aimed  at 
ensuring  that  national  customs  administrations  operate  as  efficiently  and  effectively 
and react to any requirement arising from a changing customs environment as would 
one  single  administration.  It  is  therefore  important  that  this  programme  is  consistent 

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9 

OJ C , , p. . 
OJ C , , p. . 
OJ L 36, 12.2.2003, p. 1. 
To be inserted in the course of the negotiations. 

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(3) 

(4) 

5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

and  supportive  of  the  overall  Customs  policy  and  that  the  establishment  of  the 
Customs  Policy  Group,  comprising  the  heads  of  Customs  administrations  and  their 
deputies,  is  supported  under  this  programme.  The  implementation  of  the  programme 
should  be  coordinated  and  organised  by  the  Commission  and  the  Member  States 
within the common policy developed by the Customs Policy Group. 

There is a need for customs action to give priority to improve controls and anti-fraud 
activities,  minimise  the  cost  of  compliance  with  customs  legislation  for  economic 
operators,  ensure  an  efficient  management  of  the  control  of  goods  at  the  external 
borders and protect the citizens of the Community as regards safety and security of the 
international  supply  chain.  The  Community  should  therefore  be  able,  within  the 
framework  of  its  own  powers,  to  support  the  action  of  customs  administrations  of 
Member  States  and  full  advantage  should  be  taken  of  every  possibility  for 
administrative  co-operation  and  mutual  administrative  assistance  that  Community 
rules provide. 

In  order  to  support  the  process  of  accession  by  candidate  countries,  the  customs 
administrations  of  those  countries  should  be  given  the  necessary  backing  to  be  able  to 
undertake the full range of tasks required under Community legislation from the date 
of  their  accession,  including  the  management  of  the  future  external  border.  Therefore 
this programme 2013 will be open to candidate and potential candidate countries. 

In  order  to  support  customs  reforms  in  countries  participating  in  the  European 
Neighbourhood  Policy,  it  is  appropriate  to  provide  for  the  possibility,  under  certain 
conditions, of their participation in selected activities of the programme. 

Increasing globalisation of trade, the development of new markets, and changes in the 
methods  and  speed  of  the  movement  of  goods,  require  customs  administrations  to 
strengthen relations between the customs administrations of the Community, as well as 
with business, legal and scientific circles, or other operators engaged in foreign trade. 
This  programme  2013  should  provide  the  opportunity  for  persons  representing  those 
circles or entities to participate in programme activities where appropriate. 

The  trans  European  computerised  secure  communication  and  information  exchange 
systems financed under the 2007 programme are essential for the operation of customs 
within 
information  between  customs 
the  exchange  of 
administrations and should therefore continue to be supported under this programme.  

the  Community  for 

The  experience  gained  by  the  Community  from  former  Customs  programmes  has 
shown  that  bringing  officials  from  different  national  administrations  together  in 
professional  activities  using  tools  such  as  benchmarking,  project  groups,  seminars, 
workshops,  working  visits,  training  activities  and  monitoring  actions  contributes  to  an 
important  extent  to  the  achievement  of  the  objectives  of  the  programme.  Those 
activities should therefore be continued, while it should be made possible to develop 
new tools when required to respond even more effectively to the needs.  

(9) 

Customs officials need a sufficient standard of linguistic competence to cooperate and 
participate in the Customs programme. It is the responsibility of the Member States to 
provide the necessary language training for their officials.  

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(10)  The  mid-term  evaluation  of  the  2007  programme  has  confirmed  the  need  for 
organising in a more structured way the information sharing and knowledge exchange 
between administrations, between administrations and the Commission as well as the 
consolidation  of  knowledge  created  during  programme  events.  Therefore,  under  this 
programme particular attention should be paid to information sharing and knowledge 
management. 

(11)  Although  the  primary  responsibility  for  achieving  the  objectives  of  this  programme 
lies with the participating countries, Community action is needed for the coordination 
of  the  activities  pursued  under  the  programme  as  well  as  for  the  provision  of  an 
infrastructure  and  the  necessary  stimulus.  Since  the  objectives  of  the  measures  laid 
down  in  this  Decision  cannot  be  sufficiently  achieved  by  the  participating  countries 
and can therefore, by reason of the scale and the effect of the action be better achieved 
at  Community  level,  the  community  may  adopt  measures  in  accordance  with  the 
principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of  the Treaty.  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 those objectives.  

(12)  This  Decision  establishes  a  financial  framework  for  the  entire  duration  of  the 
programme, which is to be the principal point of reference for the budgetary authority, 
within  the  meaning  of  point  33  of  the  Inter-institutional  agreement  of  6  May  1999 
between  the  European  Parliament,  the  Council  and  the  Commission  on  budgetary 
discipline and improvement of the budgetary procedure10. 

(13)  The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision should be adopted in 
accordance  with  Council  Decision  1999/468/EC  of  28 June  1999  laying  down  the 
procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission11. 

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 

CHAPTER I 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

Article 1 

Establishment of the programme 

1. 

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A multiannual Community action programme (Customs 2013) hereinafter referred to 
as  “the  programme”,  is  hereby  established  for  the  period  1  January  2008  to  31 
December 2013 to support and complement the action undertaken by Member States 
in the customs field. 

OJ C 172, 18.6.1999, p. 1, agreement as last amended by Decision 2003/429/EC (OJ L 147, 14.6.2003, 
p. 25). 
OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23. 

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2. 

The programme shall consist of the following activities: 

(a) 

communication and information-exchange systems; 

(b)  benchmarking; 

(c) 

seminars and workshops; 

(d)  project groups and steering groups; 

(e)  working visits; 

(f) 

training activities; 

(g)  monitoring actions; 

(h) 

any  other  activities  required  for  the  realisation  of  the  objectives  of  the 
programme. 

Article 2 

Definitions 

For the purpose of this Decision the following definitions shall apply: 

(1) 

“administration”  means  the  public  authorities  and  other  bodies  in  the  participating 
countries  which  are  responsible  for  administering  customs  and  customs  related 
activities; 

(2) 

“official” means a member of the administration. 

Article 3 

Participation in the programme 

1. 

2. 

Participating  countries  are  the  Member  States  and  the  countries  referred  to  in 
paragraph 2.  

The programme shall be open to the participation of the following:  

(a) 

candidate  countries  benefiting  from  a  pre-accession  strategy,  in  accordance 
with  the  general  principles  and  general  terms  and  conditions  for  the 
participation  of  those  countries  in  Community  programmes  established  in  the 
relevant Framework Agreement and Association Council Decisions; 

(b)  potential  candidate  countries,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  to  be 
determined  with  those  countries  following  the  establishment  of  framework 
agreements concerning their participation in Community programmes. 

3. 

The programme may also be open to the participation of certain partner countries of 
the European Neighbourhood Policy if these countries have reached a sufficient level 

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of  approximation  of  the  relevant  legislation  and  administrative  methods  to  those  of 
the  Community  and  in  accordance  with  provisions  to  be  determined  with  those 
countries  following  the  establishment  of  framework  agreements  concerning  their 
participation in Community programmes. 

4. 

Participating  countries  shall  be  represented  by  members  of 
administration. 

the  relevant 

Article 4 

Overall objectives 

1. 

The programme shall be designed to ensure that the following overall objectives are 
met: 

(a) 

(b) 

ensure  that  the  customs  activities  match  the  needs  of  the  internal  market, 
including supply chain security; 

interaction  and  performance  of  the  duties  of  the  Customs  administrations  as 
efficiently  as  though  they  were  one  administration,  ensuring  equivalence  of 
controls at every point of the Community customs territory and the support of 
legitimate business activity; 

(c) 

necessary protection of the financial interests of the Community; 

(d) 

strengthening the security and safety of citizens; 

(e) 

to prepare for enlargement, including the sharing of experience and knowledge 
with the customs administrations of the countries concerned. 

2. 

The common approach regarding the customs policy shall continuously be adapted to 
new developments in partnership between the Commission and the Member States in 
the Customs Policy Group, composed of the heads of customs administrations from 
the  Commission  and  the  Member  States  or  their  representatives.  The  Commission 
shall keep the Customs Policy Group regularly informed of measures relating to the 
implementation of the programme. 

Article 5 

Specific objectives 

1. 

The specific objectives of the programme shall be the following: 

(a) 

(b) 

to  reduce  the  administrative  burden  and  the  cost  of  compliance  for  economic 
operators  by  improving  the  standardisation  and  simplification  of  customs 
systems and controls, in particular for data input and risk management; 

to identify, develop and apply best working practices, in particular in the areas 
of  pre-  and  post-clearance  audit  control,  risk  analysis,  customs  controls  and 
simplified procedures; 

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(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

(h) 

(i) 

to maintain a system of the measurement of the performance of Member States 
in customs administrations in order to improve performance; 

to  support  actions  to  prevent  irregularities  by  providing  control  information 
rapidly to front line customs posts; 

to support the creation of a pan-European electronic customs environment via 
the  development  of  inter-operable  communication  and  information  exchange 
systems coupled with the necessary legislative and administrative changes; 

to  maintain  existing  communication  and  information  systems  and,  where 
appropriate, to develop new systems; 

to undertake actions which will provide support to the customs services of the 
countries preparing their accession; 

to  contribute  to  the  establishment  of  high  quality  customs  administrations  in 
third countries; 

to  improve  cooperation  between  customs  administrations  of  the  Community 
and third countries, in particular those of the partner countries of the European 
Neighbourhood policy; 

(j) 

to develop and reinforce common training. 

Article 6 

Work Programme 

The Commission shall in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 19(2) annually 
establish a work programme. 

CHAPTER II 

PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES 

Article 7 

Communication and information exchange systems 

1. 

2. 

The Commission and the participating countries shall ensure that the communication 
and information exchange systems referred to in paragraph 2 are operational.  

The communication and information exchange systems shall comprise the following: 

(a)  Common Communications Network/Common Systems Interface (CCN/CSI); 

(b) 

the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS/NSTI); 

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(c) 

the Tariff systems; 

(d) 

the electronic customs systems; 

(e) 

the systems for the security amendments; 

(f) 

any  new  customs  related  communication  and  information  exchange  systems 
established  under  Community  legislation  and  provided  for  in  the  Work 
Programme referred to in Article 6. 

The  Community  components  of  the  communication  and  information  exchange 
systems  shall  be  the  hardware,  software  and  network  connections,  which  are 
common  to  all  participating  countries.  The  Commission  shall  on  behalf  of  the 
Community conclude the necessary contracts to assure the operational nature of these 
components. 

The  non-Community  components  of  the  communication  and  information-exchange 
systems  shall  comprise  the  national  databases  forming  part  of  these  systems,  the 
network connections between the Community and non-Community components and 
such software and hardware as each participating country deems appropriate for the 
full  operation  of  those  systems  throughout  its  administration.  The  participating 
countries shall ensure that the non-Community components are kept operational and 
shall  assure  the  interoperability  of  these  components  with  the  Community 
components. 

The Commission shall co-ordinate, in co-operation with the participating countries, 
those  aspects  of  the  establishment  and  functioning  of  the  Community  and  non-
Community components of the systems and infrastructure referred to in paragraph 2 
which  are  necessary  to  ensure  their  operability,  interconnectivity  and  continuous 
improvement.  The  schedules  and  deadlines  established  for  that  purpose  shall  be 
complied with by the participating countries. 

The  Commission  may  make  the  communication  and  information  exchange  systems 
available to other public service for customs or non-customs purposes provided that a 
financial contribution is paid to the programme. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Article 8 

Benchmarking 

Benchmarking  activities  in  the  form  of  comparisons  of  working  methods,  procedures  or 
processes,  involving  agreed  indicators  aim  to  identify  best  practices,  may  be  organised 
between two or more participating countries. 

Article 9 

Seminars and workshops 

The  Commission  and  the  participating  countries  shall  together  organise  seminars  and 
workshops and ensure the dissemination of the outcome of such seminars and workshops.  

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Article 10 

Project Groups and Steering Groups 

The  Commission,  in  cooperation  with  participating  countries,  may  establish  project  groups 
which shall carry out specific tasks to be completed within a specified time-scale, and steering 
groups which shall perform activities of a coordinating nature. 

Article 11 

Working visits 

1. 

2. 

3. 

1. 

Participating countries shall organise working visits for officials. The working visits 
may  not  exceed  one  month.  Each  working  visit  shall  be  targeted  on  a  particular 
professional activity and shall be sufficiently prepared and subsequently evaluated by 
the  officials  and  administrations  concerned.  Working  visits  may  be  operational  or 
targeted on specific priority activities.  

The participating countries shall enable visiting officials to play an effective role in 
the  activities  of  the  host  administration.  To  this  end,  visiting  officials  shall  be 
authorised to carry out the tasks relating to the duties entrusted to them by the host 
administration in accordance with its legal system. 

During the working visit, the civil liability of the visiting official in the performance 
of  his  duties  shall  be  treated  in  the  same  way  as  that  of  officials  of  the  host 
administration.  Visiting  officials  shall  be  bound  by  the  same  rules  of  professional 
secrecy as national officials. 

Article 12 

Training activities 

The  Commission,  in  cooperation  with  the  participating  countries,  shall  facilitate 
structured co-operation between national training bodies and officials responsible for 
training in customs administrations, and in particular by the following means: 

(a) 

the  setting  of  training  standards,  the  development  of  existing  training 
programmes  and,  where  necessary,  new  programmes  to  provide  a  common 
core  of  training  for  officials  relating  to  the  full  range  of  customs  rules  and 
procedures so as to enable them to acquire the necessary professional skills and 
knowledge; 

(b)  where  appropriate,  the  coordination  of  the  opening  to  officials  from  all 
participating  countries  of  training  courses  in  the  Customs  field  where  such 
courses are provided by a participating country for its own officials; 

(c)  where  appropriate,  the  development  of  the  necessary  infrastructure  and  tools 

for common customs training and customs training management; 

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(d) 

the consideration of the opportunities to develop training activities with other 
public services.  

2. 

Participating  countries  shall  ensure  that  common  training  programmes  and  the 
common  customs  training  infrastructure  referred  to  in  paragraph  1(c)  are  fully 
integrated within their national training programmes. 

Participating  countries  shall  also  ensure  that  their  officials  receive  the  initial  and 
continuous  training  necessary  to  acquire  the  common  professional  skills  and 
knowledge  in  accordance  with  the  training  programmes  and  the  linguistic  training 
necessary  for  them  to  ascertain  a  sufficient  standard  of  linguistic  competence  for 
participation in the programme. 

Article 13 

Monitoring actions 

1. 

2. 

The Commission, in cooperation with the participating countries shall decide which 
specific sectors of Community customs legislation may be subject to monitoring. 

Such  monitoring  shall  be  carried  out  by  joint  teams  made  up  of  customs  officials 
from Member States and Commission officials. Those teams shall, on the basis of a 
theme-by-theme  or  regional  approach,  visit  different  points  in  Community  customs 
territory  where  customs  administrations  carry  out  their  duties.  The  teams  shall 
analyse customs practices at national level, identify any difficulties in implementing 
the  rules  observed  and,  where  appropriate,  make  suggestions  for  the  adaptation  of 
both  Community  rules  and  working  methods  in  order  to  improve  the  efficiency  of 
customs  actions  as  a  whole.  Reports  shall  be  communicated  to  the  Member  States 
and the Commission. 

Article 14 

Participation in activities under the programme 

Representatives  of  international  organisations,  administrations  of  third  countries,  economic 
operators and their organisations may take part in activities organised under the programme 
whenever this is essential to carry out the objectives mentioned in Article 4 and 5. 

Article 15 

Information Sharing  

The Commission in cooperation with the Participating countries, shall develop the systematic 
and structured sharing of information resulting from programme activities. 

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CHAPTER III 

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 

Article 16 

Financial framework 

1. 

2. 

1. 

The financial framework for the implementation of the programme for the period 1 
January 2008 to 31 December 2013 is hereby set at EUR 323,8 million. 

The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the 
limits of the multi-annual scheme of the financial perspectives. 

Article 17 

Expenditure 

The expenditure necessary for the implementation of the programme shall be shared 
by the Community and the participating countries in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 
6. 

2. 

The Community shall bear the following expenditure: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

the cost of the acquisition, development, installation, maintenance and the cost 
of 
the 
the  Community  components  of 
communication and information exchange systems set out in Article 7(3); 

the  day-to-day  operation  of 

the  travel  and  living  expenses  incurred  by  officials  from  the  participating 
countries  relating  to  benchmarking  activities,  working  visits,  seminars, 
workshops and project groups, training and monitoring actions; 

the organisational costs of seminars and workshops, as well as travel and living 
expenses  incurred  for  the  participation  of  external  experts  and  participants 
referred to in Article 14; 

(d) 

the  cost  of  the  acquisition,  development,  installation,  maintenance  of  training 
systems and modules insofar they are common to all participating countries; 

(e) 

the costs of any other activity referred to in point h of Article 1(2). 

3. 

The  participating  countries  shall  cooperate  with  the  Commission  so  that  the 
appropriations  are  used  in  accordance  with  the  principle  of  sound  financial 
management. 

The  Commission  shall,  in  accordance  with  the  Financial  Regulation,  determine  the 
rules  relating  to  the  payment  of  expenses  and  shall  communicate  them  to  the 
participating countries. 

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4. 

5. 

The  Commission  shall,  in  accordance  with  the  procedure  referred  to  in  Article  19(2), 
adopt any necessary measures for the budget management of the programme. 

The  financial  allocation  of  this  programme  may  also  cover  expenses  pertaining  to 
preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities, required directly for the 
management of the programme and the realisation of its objectives, in particular studies, 
meetings, information and publication actions, expenses linked to informatic networks 
focusing on information exchange, together with all other technical and administrative 
assistance expense that the Commission may have recourse to for the management of 
the programme.  

6. 

Participating countries shall bear the following expenditure: 

(a) 

the  development,  purchase,  installation,  maintenance  and  the  cost  of  the  day-
to-day operation of the non-Community components of the communication and 
information exchange systems referred to in Article 7(4); 

(b) 

the costs relating to the initial and continuing training, including the linguistic 
training, of their officials. 

Article 18 

Financial Control 

Financing  decisions  and  any  agreements  or  contracts  resulting  from  this  Decision  shall  be 
subject to financial control, and if necessary, on the spot audits by the Commission, including 
the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and by the European Court of Auditors. Any grants 
made  pursuant  to  this  Decision  will  be  subject  to  agreement  in  writing  in  advance  by  the 
beneficiaries. Such agreement shall contain the acceptance by the beneficiaries to an audit by 
the European Court of Auditors into the use made of the financing granted. 

CHAPTER IV 

OTHER PROVISIONS 

Article 19 

Committee 

1. 

2. 

The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  the  “Customs  2013  Committee”  (hereinafter 
'the Committee'). 

Where reference is made to this paragraph, the procedure laid down in Article 4 of 
Decision  1999/468/EC  shall  apply,  in  compliance  of  Articles  7  and  8  thereof.  The 
period provided for in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be three months. 

3. 

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure. 

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Article 20 

Follow-up 

The programme shall be subject to continuous joint monitoring by the participating countries 
and the Commission. 

Article 21 

Mid-term and final evaluations 

1. 

Mid-term  and  final  evaluations  of  the  programme  shall  be  carried  out  under  the 
responsibility  of  the  Commission  using  the  reports  drawn  up  by  the  participating 
countries  referred  to  in  paragraph  2  of  this  Article  and  any  other  relevant 
information. The programme shall be evaluated in terms of the objectives set out in 
Articles 4 and 5. 

The mid-term evaluation shall review the results obtained from mid-realisation of the 
programme  in  terms  of  effectiveness  and  efficiency,  as  well  as  the  continued 
relevance  of  the  initial  objectives  of  the  programme.  It  shall  also  assess  the  use  of 
funding and the progress of follow-up and implementation. 

The  final  evaluation  shall  concentrate  on  the  effectiveness  and  efficiency  of  the 
activities of the programme. 

2. 

The  participating  countries  shall  submit  the  following  evaluation  reports  to  the 
Commission: 

(a) 

by  31  March  2011  at  the  latest,  a  mid-term  evaluation  report  on  the 
programme's relevance, effectiveness and efficiency; 

(b)  by 31 March 2014 at the latest, a final evaluation report focusing on, inter alia, 

the programme's effectiveness and efficiency. 

3. 

On  the  basis  of  the  reports  referred  to  in  paragraph  2  and  any  other  relevant 
information,  the  Commission  shall  submit  to  the  European  Parliament  and  the 
Council the following reports: 

(a) 

by  30  September  2011  at  the  latest,  a  mid-term  evaluation  report,  and  a 
communication on the desirability of continuing the programme; 

(b)  by 30 September 2014 at the latest, a final evaluation report. 

4. 

Those reports shall also be sent to the European Economic and Social Committee and 
the Committee of the Regions for their information. 

Article 22 

Repeal 

Decision No 253/2003/EC is repealed with effect from 1 January 2008.  

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However, financial obligations related to actions pursued under that Decision shall continue 
to be governed by that Decision until their completion. 

Article 23 

Entry into force 

This Decision 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 1 January 2008. 

Article 24 

Addressees 

This Decision is addressed to Member States 

Done at Brussels,  

For the European Parliament 
The President 

For the Council 
The President 

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LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT 

1. 

NAME OF THE PROPOSAL : 

Proposal  for  a  Decision  of  the  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  on  the 
Community programme Customs 2013 

2. 

ABM / ABB FRAMEWORK 

Policy 
1404 Customs Policy  

Area(s) 

concerned 

and 

associated 

Activity/Activities: 

3. 

BUDGET LINES 

3.1. 

Budget  lines  (operational  lines  and  related  technical  and  administrative 
assistance lines (ex- BA lines)) including headings : 

•  140403 Customs 2013 programme 

•  14010405  Customs  2013  programme  –  Expenditure  on  administrative 

management 

•  The  final  budgetary  structure  for  the  Customs  2013  programme  will  be 

decided at a later stage. 

3.2. 

Duration of the action and of the financial impact: 

•  The period of validity of the legal base runs from 01/01/2008 to 31/12/2013.  

•  The payments will continue after 31/12/2013 

3.3. 

Budgetary characteristics: 

Budget 
line 

Type of expenditure 

New 

EFTA 
contribution 

Contributions 
from applicant 
countries 

Heading in 
financial 
perspective 

140403 

Non-
comp 

Diff12 

YES 

NO 

YES 

14010405  Non-
comp 

Non-
diff13 

YES 

NO 

YES 

1a  

1a  

12 

Differentiated appropriations. 

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4. 

SUMMARY OF RESOURCES 

4.1. 

Financial Resources 

4.1.1. 

Summary of commitment appropriations (CA) and payment appropriations (PA) 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Section 
no. 

Expenditure type 

Operational expenditure14 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014-
2015 

Total
2008-13 

- 

Commitment 
Appropriations (CA) 

Payment 
Appropriations (PA) 

8.1 

A 

41.868 

48.368 

50.318 

54.768 

59.568 

62.118 

317.008 

B 

15.417 

35.276 

47.368 

51.253 

55.133 

59.328 

53.233 

317.008 

Administrative expenditure within reference amount1516 

Technical 
administrative 
assistance (NDA)* 

& 

8.2.4 

C 

1.132 

1.132 

1.132 

1.132 

1.132 

1.132 

6.792

-

**   TThhee   TTeecchhnniiccaall   aanndd   aaddmmiinniissttrraattiivvee   aassssiissttaannccee   ccoovveerrss   oonnllyy   ssttaaffff   aallrreeaaddyy   mmeennttiioonneedd   iinn   tthhee   pprrooppoossaall   ooff   tthhee   DDeecciissiioonn   oonn  
ppaappeerrlleessss  eennvviirroonnmmeenntt  ffoorr  ccuussttoommss  aanndd  ttrraaddee  ((CCOOMM((22000055))  660099))  aanndd  iinn  tthhee  pprrooppoossaall  ooff  tthhee  RReegguullaattiioonn  llaayyiinngg  ddoowwnn  tthhee  
CCoommmmuunniittyy  CCuussttoommss  CCooddee  ((CCOOMM((22000055))  660088..  

TTOOTTAALL  RREEFFEERREENNCCEE  AAMMOOUUNNTT  

Commitment 
Appropriations 

Payment 
Appropriations 

A+
c 

B+
c 

43.000 

49.500 

51.450 

55.900 

60.700 

63.250 

323.800 

- 

16.549 

36.408 

48.500 

52.385 

56.265 

60.460 

53.233 

323.800 

13 
14 
15 
16 

Non-differentiated appropriations. 
Expenditure that does not fall under Chapter 14 01 of the concerned Title 14. 
Expenditure within article 14 01 04 of Title 14. 
The administrative expenditure line anticipates the possible externalisation of activities under the 
programme. Budgetary figures will only be available after the completion in 2006 of a feasibility 
study on the topic. 

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Administrative expenditure not included in reference amount17 

Human resources and 
associated 
expenditure (NDA) 

than 

costs, 
Administrative 
human 
other 
resources 
and 
associated  costs,  not 
in  reference 
included 
amount (NDA) 

8.2.5 

D 

3.792 

3.920 

3.920 

3.920 

3.920 

3.920 

23.392 

8.2.6 

E 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

1.872 

Total indicative financial cost of intervention 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

2014-
2015 

Total

47.104 

53.732 

55.682 

60.132  64.932  67.482 

  349.064

20.653 

40.640 

52.732 

56.617  60.497  64.692 

53.233  349.064

TOTAL CA including cost 
of Human Resources 

A+c+
d+e 

TOTAL PA including cost 
of Human Resources 

b+c+
d+e 

Co-financing details 

N.A. 

4.1.2.  Compatibility with Financial Programming 

x 

Proposal is compatible with existing financial programming. 

This decision is compatible with the Multiannual Financial Framework annexed 
to  the  Interinstitutional  Agreement  between  the  European  Parliament,  the 
Council  and  the  Commission  on  Budgetary  discipline  and  sound  financial 
management.  It  falls  into  the  subheading  1a  –  Competitiveness  for  growth  and 
employment.. 

4.1.3.  Financial impact on Revenue 

Proposal  has  no  direct  financial  implications  on  revenue,  although  the 
x 
modernisation  of  the  customs  administration  should  make  the  own  resources 
collection more effective and cost efficient. 

17 

Expenditure within chapter 14 01 other than articles 14 01 04 or 14 01 05. 

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4.2. 

Human Resources FTE (including officials, temporary and external staff) – 
see detail under point 8.2.1. 

Annual requirements 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

Total 
number 
human resources 

of 

47 

49 

49 

49 

49 

49 

5. 

CHARACTERISTICS AND OBJECTIVES 

5.1. 

Need to be met in the short or long term 

For  a  more  detailed  analysis,  see  paragraph  4  of  the  impact  assessment  of  the 
Customs 2013 programme. 

The  Customs  programme  aims  to  answer  the  actual  and  future  challenges  for 
Customs. Therefore emphasis will be put on the reinforcement of the safety and 
security  within  the  Community  area  and  at  the  external  border  enhancing  the 
competitiveness of European companies and further reinforcing the functioning 
of  the  internal  market.  The  programme  will  also  support  the  creation  of  an 
electronic paperless customs.  

The  successor  programme  will  continue  to  support  the  secure  trans  European 
electronic  communication  network  between  the  customs  administrations  and 
extend  the facilities  wherever required. The Customs programme  will continue 
to  develop  cooperation  between  customs  administrations  and  their  officials 
through a process of sharing knowledge and best practices which should allow 
Member States to learn from one another rather than building up expertise from 
scratch. The customs programme will take into account that each administration 
has  a  different  starting  point.  It  will  have  a  built-in  flexibility  which  allows 
Member  States  to  develop  a  tailor-made  action  plan  to  answer  their  particular 
needs. 

The impact of the Customs programme on the daily work is considerable, since 
the  IT  existing  systems  provide  daily  updated  information  for  some  100,000 
customs officials. The Customs programme is also a major support for customs 
officials in their fight against counterfeiting and organisation of controls. 

5.2. 

Value-added  of  Community  involvement  and  coherence  of  the  proposal 
with other financial instruments and possible synergy 

See section 2 of the impact assessment Customs 2013 and Fiscalis 2013. 

For  a  more  detailed  analysis  see  paragraph  6  of  the  impact  assessment  of  the 
Customs 2013 programme. 

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If  the  Customs  programme  did  not  exist,  Member  States  would  still  need  to 
improve cooperation and seek to achieve harmonisation to carry out the Customs 
policy objectives of the European Union. This would mean, for instance, that no 
secure  network  and  information  exchange  systems  would  exist  between  the  25 
Member  States  and  that  the  interoperability  and  interconnectivity  of  the  IT 
systems  would  not  be  possible.  Without  the  support  of  a  Community 
programme, it would take much more time to reach these objectives. It would be 
more  costly  from  a  budgetary  and  human  resources  point  of  view,  the  output 
would be of lower quality and above all organised far less efficiently. The mid-
term  evaluation  has  shown  that  there  is  a  common  understanding  between  all 
programme's stakeholders that a Community programme is essential in making 
the EU Customs Union operate. 

The  Customs  programme  has  established  structures  to  share  knowledge  and 
experiences  between  Customs  officials  in  an  organised  way.  Thanks  to  these 
structures,  the  Customs  programme  has  become  a  reference  for  cooperation  in 
the  area  of  implementation  of  the  Custom  policy  of  the  European  Union.  The 
programme has a built-in flexibility which gives Member State administrations 
the opportunity to develop a tailor-made reply to their particular needs. Without 
the  2013  programme,  it  will  not  be  possible  to  organise  the  information  and 
knowledge  sharing  between  all  Customs  administrations  and  in  all  Customs 
policy  areas  in  a  systematic  way.  If  the  Customs  programme  is  stopped,  the 
established  structures  and  contacts  will  fall  apart  as  the  binding  force  between 
them will fall away. Customs administrations may as consequence become more 
inward looking rather than promote knowledge sharing and learning from each 
other. 

5.3. 

Objectives,  expected  results  and  related  indicators  of  the  proposal  in  the 
context of the ABM framework 

The programme shall be designed to ensure that the following overall objectives are met: 

(a) 

(b) 

ensure that the customs activities match the needs of the internal market, 
including supply chain security; 

interaction and performance  of  the duties of the Customs administrations 
as  efficiently  as 
they  were  one  administration,  ensuring 
equivalence of controls at every point of the Community customs territory 
and the support of legitimate business activity; 

though 

(c) 

necessary protection of the financial interests of the Community; 

(d) 

strengthening the security and safety of citizens; 

(e) 

to  prepare  for  enlargement,  including  the  sharing  of  experience  and 
knowledge with the customs administrations of the countries concerned. 

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The specific objectives of the programme shall be the following: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

(h) 

(i) 

to  reduce  the  administrative  burden  and  the  cost  of  compliance  for 
economic operators by improving the standardisation and simplification of 
customs  systems  and  controls,  in  particular  for  data  input  and  risk 
management; 

to identify, develop and apply best working practices, in particular in the 
areas  of  pre-  and  post-clearance  audit  control,  risk  analysis,  customs 
controls and simplified procedures; 

to  maintain  a  system  of  the  measurement  of  the  performance  of  Member 
States in customs administrations in order to improve performance; 

to  support  actions 
information rapidly to front line customs posts; 

to  prevent 

irregularities  by  providing  control 

to support the creation of a pan-European electronic customs environment 
via  the  development  of  inter-operable  communication  and  information 
legislative  and 
exchange 
administrative changes; 

systems  coupled  with 

the  necessary 

to  maintain  existing  communication  and  information  systems  and,  where 
appropriate, to develop new systems; 

to undertake actions which will provide support to the customs services of 
the countries prepararing their accession; 

to contribute to the establishment of high quality customs administrations 
in third countries; 

to 
the 
improve  cooperation  between  customs  administrations  of 
Community and third countries, in particular those of the partner countries 
of the European Neighbourhood policy ; 

(j) 

to develop and reinforce common training. 

The Commission will annually establish a work programme. 

Indicators 

The  indicators  will  be  developed  before  the  start  of  the  Customs  2013 
programme. 

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5.4.  Method of Implementation (indicative) 

X Centralised Management 

Directly by the Commission 

6. 

MONITORING AND EVALUATION 

6.1.  Monitoring system 

The  indicators  will  be  developed  in  such  a  way  that  regular  monitoring  of  the 
progress made is feasible. 

The administrations shall send the Commission all the information necessary for 
follow-up reports to be drawn up as efficiently as possible. 

6.2. 

Evaluation 

6.2.1. 

Impact assessment 

An impact assessment has been prepared and will accompany the proposal. 

6.2.2.  Ex-ante evaluation 

The ex-ante evaluation has been replaced by the impact assessment. 

6.2.3.  Measures  taken  following  an  intermediate/ex-post  evaluation  (lessons  learned 

from similar experiences in the past) 

6.2.4.  Terms and frequency of future evaluation 

The  mid-term  evaluation  report  will  provide  a  first  evaluation  of  the  results 
obtained  from  mid-realisation  of  the  programme  in  terms  of  effectiveness  and 
efficiency.  The  relevance  of  the  programme's  initial  objectives  will  also  be 
evaluated  in  order  to  check  if  changes  or  adjustments  for  the  second  phase  of 
carrying  out  of  the  programme  must  be  envisaged.  The  interim  report  will  be 
based  on  reports  submitted  by  the  participating  countries  and  on  all  other 
available data. It will be prepared by the Commission. 

The final evaluation report will be based on the mid-term interim evaluation, the 
participating country’s final reports, and all other available data. It will provide a 
final evaluation on the programme's effectiveness and efficiency by comparing 
the  results  obtained  with  the  objectives  of  the  programme.  Other  evaluation 
criteria, such as utility and sustainability, may be envisaged. 

EN 

28 

   EN 

 
 
 
1. 

Mid-term  and  final  evaluations  of  the  programme  shall  be  carried  out 
under  the  Commission's  responsibility  using  the  reports  drawn  up  by  the 
participating  countries  referred  to  in  paragraph  2  and  any  other  relevant 
information. 

The mid-term  evaluation shall review  the  results  obtained  from  mid-realisation 
of  the  programme  in  terms  of  effectiveness  and  efficiency,  as  well  as  the 
continued relevance of the programme's initial objectives. It shall also assess the 
use of funding and the progress of follow-up and implementation. 

The final evaluation shall focus, inter alia, on the effectiveness and efficiency of 
the programme's activities. 

2. 

The participating countries shall send the Commission: 

(a) 

by  31  March  2011  at  the  latest,  a  mid-term  evaluation  report  on  the 
programme's relevance, effectiveness and efficiency; 

(b)  by 31 March 2014 at the latest, a final evaluation report focusing on, inter 

alia, the programme's effectiveness and efficiency. 

3. 

The Commission shall present to the European Parliament and the Council: 

(a) 

by 30 September 2011 at the latest, the mid-term evaluation report referred 
to  in paragraph 1,  and a communication on the desirability of  continuing 
the programme; 

(b)  by 30 September 2014 at the latest, the final evaluation report referred to 

in paragraph 1. 

7. 

ANTI-FRAUD MEASURES  

The  expenses  for  development  of  the  secure  trans  European  computerised 
infrastructure and other activities developed under the programme are executed 
on  contractual  basis  following  the  established  procedure  of  verification  by  the 
services  of  the  Commission  before  payment,  taking  into  account  contractual 
obligations  and  sound  financial  and  general  management.  Anti  fraud  measures 
(controls,  reports,  etc.)  are  foreseen  in  all  contracts  concluded  between  the 
Commission and the beneficiaries. 

The  joint  actions  (the  human  related  instruments  of  the  toolbox)  are  paid  from 
the  'Joint  Action'  budget  of  the  Customs  2013  programme.  The  officials  are 
reimbursed as follows: 

Each Member State has a Customs contact point, which receives an advance to 
reimburse  travel  and  living  expenses  of  officials  participating  in  a  Customs 

EN 

29 

   EN 

 
programme  activity  in  accordance  with  the  financial  rules  that  have  been 
established  for  the  programmes.  These  contact  points  also  reimburse  a  set  of 
organisational  costs  clearly  defined  in  the  Financial  Guide  of  the  programme. 
The participating countries have to report on these expenses through the Activity 
Reporting  Tool  while  they  have  to  keep  supporting  documents  in  the  local 
archives  for  at  least  five  year  after  the  end  of  the  budgetary  year  in  which  the 
expenditure takes place. 

Participants from third countries, international organisations or the private sector 
are reimbursed directly by the Commission following the established practices. 

Control visits in the Member States are carried out by the financial services of 
the Commission in order to ensure conformity with financial rules applicable to 
the management of the programme. 

EN 

30 

   EN 

 
8. 

DETAILS OF RESOURCES 

8.1. 

Objectives of the proposal in terms of their financial cost 

 (Headings 
of 
Objectives,  actions 
and  outputs  should 
be provided) 

Type 
of 
output 

Av. 
cost 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

Year 2013  

TOTAL 

No. 
outputs 

Total cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total cost 

No. 
outputs 

Total 
cost 

OPERATIONAL 
OBJECTIVE 
No.1  Customs 
2013 

 Action  1  Joint 
Actions 

- Joint Actions 

-  Common  Training 
Tools 

 Action 
Actions 

2 

IT 

 - CCN/CSI 

- Output 1 

- Transit 

- Output 1 

EN 

IT 
contract 

IT 
contract 

7.500 

1.500 

7.500 

1.500 

7.500 

1.750 

7.700 

2.000 

7.800 

2.200 

8.000 

2.450 

46.000 

11.400 

6.500 

7.000 

7.700 

8.000 

8.000 

9.000 

46.200 

6.500 

7.500 

7.000 

7.000 

7.000 

6.000 

41.000 

31 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
- Tariff 

- Output 1 

IT 
contract 

-  Security  Aspects 
for 
Customs 
(electronic customs) 

- Output 1 

IT 
contract 

- electronic customs 

- Output 1 

 IT 
contract 

TOTAL COST 

6.000 

6.000 

6.000 

6.000 

6.000 

6.000 

36.000 

5.000 

6.000 

6.500 

7.200 

7.200 

6.800 

38.700 

8.868 

41.868 

12.868 

48.368 

13.868 

50.318 

16.868 

54.768 

21.368 

59.568 

23.868 

62.118 

97.708 

317.008 

Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

EN 

32 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
8.2. 

Administrative Expenditure 

The needs for human and administrative resources shall be covered within the allocation 
granted  to  the  managing  DG  in  the  framework  of  the  annual  allocation  procedure.  The 
allocation  of  posts  should  take  into  account  an  eventual  reallocation  of  posts  between 
departments on the basis of the new financial perspectives. 

8.2.1.  Number and type of human resources 

Types of post 

Staff to be assigned to management of the action using existing and/or additional 
resources (number of posts/FTEs) 

Year 2008  Year 2009  Year 2010  Year 2011  Year 2012 

Year 2013 

Officials or 
temporary staff18 
(14 01 01) 

A*/AD 

B*, 
C*/AST 

Staff financed19 by art. 14 01 02 
Other staff20 financed by art. 14 
01 04/05* 

TOTAL 

14 

14 

12

7 

47 

14 

14 

14

7 

49 

14 

14 

14

7 

49 

14 

14 

14

7 

49 

14 

14 

14 

7 

49 

14 

14 

14

7 

49 

*   TThhee   hhuummaann   rreessoouurrcceess   ccoovveerr   ssttaaffff   aallrreeaaddyy   mmeennttiioonneedd   iinn   tthhee   pprrooppoossaall   ooff   tthhee   DDeecciissiioonn   oonn   ppaappeerrlleessss  
eennvviirroonnmmeenntt   ffoorr   ccuussttoommss   aanndd   ttrraaddee   ((CCOOMM((22000055))   660099))   aanndd   iinn   tthhee   pprrooppoossaall   ooff   tthhee   RReegguullaattiioonn   llaayyiinngg   ddoowwnn  
tthhee   CCoommmmuunniittyy   CCuussttoommss   CCooddee   ((CCOOMM((22000055))   660088   aanndd   tthhee   ssttaaffff   aassssiiggnneedd   ttoo   tthhee   mmaannaaggeemmeenntt   ooff   tthhee  
pprrooggrraammmmee  ((22AA**,,  22..BB**//CC**,,  11  SSNNEE))  

8.2.2.  Description of tasks deriving from the action 

The total needed reinforcement as follows: 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

A* 

B* /C* 

END 

Experts 

0 

0 

3 

0 

0 

0 

2 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

18 
19 
20 

Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount 
Cost of which is NOT covered by the reference amount 
Cost of which is included within the reference amount 

EN 

33 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
TThhee  rreeiinnffoorrcceemmeenntt  ooff  hhuummaann  rreessoouurrcceess  ccoovveerrss  ssttaaffff  aallrreeaaddyy  mmeennttiioonneedd  iinn  tthhee  pprrooppoossaall  ooff  tthhee  DDeecciissiioonn  
oonn   ppaappeerrlleessss   eennvviirroonnmmeenntt   ffoorr   ccuussttoommss   aanndd   ttrraaddee   ((CCOOMM((22000055))   660099))   aanndd   iinn   tthhee   pprrooppoossaall   ooff   tthhee  
RReegguullaattiioonn  llaayyiinngg  ddoowwnn  tthhee  CCoommmmuunniittyy  CCuussttoommss  CCooddee  ((CCOOMM((22000055))  660088.. 

8.2.3. 

Sources of human resources (statutory) 

x 
Posts  currently  allocated  to  the  management  of  the  programme  to  be 
replaced or extended : 9 posts currently allocated to this activity will continue to 
be used in the framework of e-customs and the modernized customs code and 8 
posts were pre-allocated within the budget procedure for 2006 for these actions  

Posts  pre-allocated within the  APS/PDB exercise for year 2007 : 8 posts 

x 
are requested in the framework of e-customs and the modernized customs code  

(cid:133) 

Posts to be requested in the next APS/PDB procedure  

Posts  to  be  redeployed  using  existing  resources  within  the  managing 

(cid:133) 
service (internal redeployment) :  

Posts required for year n although not foreseen in the APS/PDB exercise 

(cid:133) 
of the year in question 

8.2.4.  Other Administrative expenditure included in reference amount (14 01 04/05 – 

Expenditure on administrative management) 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013  TOTAL 

Budget line 

(number and heading) 

1  Technical 
administrative 
and 
assistance (including related staff costs) 

Executive agencies21 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

Other 

technical 

and 

administrative 

assistance 

- intra muros * 

- extra muros 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

1.132 

1.132  1.132  1.132  1.132  1.132 

6.792 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

Total  Technical  and  administrative 
assistance 

1.132 

1.132  1.132  1.132  1.132  1.132 

6.792 

21 

Reference  should  be  made  to  the  specific  legislative  financial  statement  for  the  Executive 
Agency(ies) concerned. 

EN 

34 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
**  TThhee  TTeecchhnniiccaall  aanndd  aaddmmiinniissttrraattiivvee  aassssiissttaannccee  ccoovveerrss  oonnllyy  ssttaaffff  aallrreeaaddyy  mmeennttiioonneedd  iinn  tthhee  pprrooppoossaall  ooff  
tthhee   DDeecciissiioonn  oonn   ppaappeerrlleessss   eennvviirroonnmmeenntt   ffoorr   ccuussttoommss   aanndd   ttrraaddee   ((CCOOMM((22000055))  660099))  aanndd   iinn  tthhee   pprrooppoossaall  
ooff  tthhee  RReegguullaattiioonn  llaayyiinngg  ddoowwnn  tthhee  CCoommmmuunniittyy  CCuussttoommss  CCooddee  ((CCOOMM((22000055))  660088.. 

8.2.5.  Financial  cost  of  human  resources  and  associated  costs  not  included  in  the 

reference amount 

Type of human resources 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

TOTAL 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

Officials and temporary staff (14 01 
01) 

Staff  financed  by  Art  14  01  02 
(auxiliary, END, contract staff, etc.) 

(specify budget line) 

Total cost of Human Resources 
and associated costs (NOT in 
reference amount) 

3.024 

3.024 

3.024 

3.024 

3.024 

3.024 

18.144 

0.768 

0.896 

0.896 

0.896 

0.896 

0.896 

5.248 

3.792 

3.920 

3.920 

3.920 

3.920 

3.920 

23.392 

Calculation– Officials and Temporary agents 

Reference should be made to Point 8.2.1, if applicable 

108,000 EUR per year per official /temporary staff 

Calculation– Staff financed under art. 14 01 02 

Reference should be made to Point 8.2.1, if applicable 

64,000 EUR per year per staff financed under art. 14 01 02 

EN 

35 

   EN 

 
Calculation– Staff financed under art. 14 01 04/05 

Reference should be made to Point 8.2.1, if applicable 

161,700 EUR per year per staff financed under art. 14 01 04/05 

8.2.6.  Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

EUR million (to 3 decimal places) 

2008 

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 

2013 

TOTAL 

14 01 02 11 01 – Missions 

0.300 

0.300 

0.300 

0.300 

0.300 

0.300 

1.800 

14 01 02 11 02 – Meetings & Conferences 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

14 01 02 11 03 – Committees22  

0.012 

0.012 

0.012 

0.012 

0.012 

0.012 

0.072 

14 01 02 11 04 – Studies & consultations 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

14 01 02 11 05 - Information systems 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

2  Total 

Other 

Management 

Expenditure (14 01 02 11) 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

1.872 

3  Other 

expenditure 

administrative 
including reference to budget line) 

nature 

of 

an 
(specify 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

p.m. 

Total Administrative expenditure, other 
than human resources and associated 
costs (NOT included in reference 
amount) 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

0.312 

1.872 

**   TThhee   mmeeeettiinnggss   aarree   aallrreeaaddyy   mmeennttiioonneedd   iinn   tthhee   pprrooppoossaall   ooff   tthhee   DDeecciissiioonn   oonn   ppaappeerrlleessss   eennvviirroonnmmeenntt   ffoorr  
ccuussttoommss   aanndd   ttrraaddee   ((CCOOMM((22000055))   660099))   aanndd   iinn   tthhee   pprrooppoossaall   ooff   tthhee   RReegguullaattiioonn   llaayyiinngg   ddoowwnn   tthhee   CCoommmmuunniittyy  
CCuussttoommss  CCooddee  ((CCOOMM((22000055))  660088.. 

Calculation - Other administrative expenditure not included in reference amount 

1,000 EUR per mission  

Committees  :  Comitology  Committee  :  Customs  Committee,  one  meeting  per  year,  travel 
expenses for 27 experts 

22 

Specify the type of committee and the group to which it belongs. 

EN 

36 

   EN