Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2879 of 15 December 2023 establishing the Work Programme relating to the development and deployment for the electronic systems provided for in the Union Customs Code
Date: 2023-12-15
Institutions: Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union, European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, action programme, customs cooperation, customs regulations, electronic document management, electronic government, exchange of information, information system




L_202302879EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
Series L













2023/2879


22.12.2023







            COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2023/2879
of 15 December 2023
         
establishing the Work Programme relating to the development and deployment for the electronic systems provided for in the Union Customs Code


THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

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


Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (1), and in particular to Article 281, first paragraph, thereof,

Whereas:







(1)


Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 laying down the Union Customs Code provides that exchanges of information between customs authorities and between economic operators and customs authorities, and storage of such information, are to be made using electronic data processing techniques. Article 280 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 provides that the Commission is to draw up a work programme relating to the development and deployment of the electronic systems provided for in the Union Customs Code (‘the work programme’).












(2)


The Commission adopted the first work programme by means of Commission Implementing Decision 2014/255/EU (2), updated by means of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/578 (3) and by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2151 (4). The version of the work programme adopted in Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2151 needs to be updated to take account of new developments concerning planning for the electronic systems.












(3)


The work programme should be updated in order to list the electronic systems provided for in Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, the relevant Articles providing for those systems and the dates on which they are expected to become operational. The work programme should distinguish between the electronic systems that Member States are to develop themselves (‘national systems’) and those that they are to develop in cooperation with the Commission (‘trans-European systems’). The electronic systems referred to in the work programme should be managed, prepared and developed in accordance with the planning document covering all IT-related customs projects (5) (the multi-annual strategic plan for customs or ‘MASP-C’), which is being drawn up in accordance with Decision No 70/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (6), and in particular Article 4 and Article 8(2) thereof.












(4)


The work programme defines in more detail the actual dates of deployment of each of the electronic system and sets the end date of the deployment in accordance with the transitional periods laid down in Article 278 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/341 (7).












(5)


Where the work programme allows Member States to choose to deploy a trans-European or national electronic system within a given period (i.e. deployment window), the Annex to this Decision should make it clear that the ‘start date of deployment’ is the earliest date on which Member States may start operating the new electronic system and that the ‘end date of deployment’ is the last date by which Member States and economic operators are to start using the new or upgraded electronic system. The end date of deployment should also be the end of the period of the transitional measures related to that electronic system. That date should therefore be set on the basis of the deadlines provided in Article 278(1), (2) and (3) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. These deployment windows are necessary to implement the systems at Union level, taking into account the needs of each system. Different rules concerning deployment windows should apply to the customs project on pre-arrival security and safety (ICS2). In this case, Member States should be ready to deploy each release of the project at the start date for the release, while economic operators should be given, with the agreement of Member States, a possibility to connect within the deployment window. Due to significant implementation delays experienced in certain Member States concerning Release 2 of ICS2, the Commission has adopted the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/438 (8) granting a derogation pursuant to Article 6(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 to use means other than electronic data-processing techniques for the exchange and storage of information for Release 2 of ICS2. In view of these delays, Member States and economic operators also voiced concerns as to the feasibility of the project timeline for Release 3 of ICS2. The Commission should therefore introduce a gradual implementation in 3 steps, starting with maritime carriers in ICS2 from 3 June 2023, then maritime house filers in ICS2 from 4 December 2024, and finally connecting the road and rail operators in ICS2 from 1 April 2025.












(6)


The deployment windows for the migration of national electronic systems should include the national project and migration plans of Member States and should take into account their specific national IT environments and circumstances. The end dates of deployment of national electronic systems should also end the transitional measures applicable to those electronic systems. Those dates should therefore be set on the basis of the deadlines provided in Article 278(1), (2) and (3) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. Due to significant implementation delays experienced in certain Member States concerning the national electronic systems, the Commission has adopted Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/234 (9), Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/235 (10), Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/236 (11) and Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/237 (12) granting derogations in accordance with Article 6(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. References to those derogations should be included in the Annex.












(7)


The derogations granted by means of Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/237 have an impact on the project for Centralised Clearance at Import (CCI) and have led to a redefinition of the project approach. For CCI-Phase 1, the timeline is extended by 7 months and Member States are allowed to deploy the CCI-Phase 1 system only with a standard customs declaration, as a first step of the entire CCI project implementation. Member States are allowed the possibility to implement CCI-Phase 1 using CCI-Phase 2 (full scope) specifications, and as such avoiding a transition from CCI-Phase 1 to CCI-Phase 2. This will also facilitate economic operators, allowing them to adapt their systems in an agile manner, assuring smooth use of the CCI system, and therefore the CCI project should be deployed by the deadline of 2 June 2025.












(8)


To ensure goods can be moved within/to the Union under the transit procedure or exported without facing operational discontinuity issues the timeline for the implementation of the trans-European projects related to the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) and the Automated Export System (AES) should be adapted by introducing the deployment deadline of 1 December 2023. Although most Member States have deployed their system, a limited number of Member States have announced that their national application will not be (fully) ready to start operating in NCTS-Phase 5 or AES. A focus to deliver in an agile manner first the core functionalities of the systems and then the non-core ones should facilitate the smooth finalisation of the project by 2 December 2024. Furthermore, economic operators are also facing delays, in particular in those Member States where delays in the project planning have occurred. Member States will remain responsible for establishing the national transition strategy for their economic operators. From 2 December 2024 Member States and traders should be using the new systems, whilst some transitional rules are still applied (for technical reasons) until 21 January 2025 for NCTS-Phase 5 and until 11 February 2025 for AES.












(9)


Member States and the Commission should also ensure that the economic operators have received in a timely manner the technical information needed for them to update their own electronic systems and to connect to the new or upgraded electronic systems provided for in Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. Members States and the Commission should inform economic operators of the changes between 12 and 24 months before deployment of a particular system, depending on the system and if necessary due to the scope and nature of that system. For minor changes, that period may be shorter.












(10)


The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Customs Code Committee,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1



The work programme



The work programme relating to the development and deployment of the electronic systems provided for in Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (‘the work programme’), as set out in the Annex, is hereby adopted.


Article 2



Implementation




1.   Member States and the Commission shall cooperate in the implementation of the work programme.


2.   Member States shall develop and deploy the relevant electronic systems within the dates of the relevant deployment windows laid down in the work programme.


3.   The projects specified in the work programme and the preparation and implementation of the related electronic systems shall be managed in a manner consistent with the work programme and the multi-annual strategic plan for customs.


4.   The Commission shall undertake to seek common understanding and agreement with Member States on the project scope, design, requirements and architecture of the electronic systems when initiating the projects set out in the work programme. Where relevant, the Commission shall also consult economic operators and take their views into account.



Article 3



Updates



The work programme shall be updated regularly to ensure its alignment with, and adjustment to, developments in the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013, and to take account of progress in preparing and developing the electronic systems. This applies particularly to the availability of commonly agreed specifications and the operational launch of the electronic systems.


Article 4



Communication and reporting




1.   Member States and the Commission shall share information on planning and on progress in implementing each of the systems.


2.   Member States shall submit to the Commission national project and migration plans and the table on their progress in developing and deploying the electronic systems referred to in Article 278a(4) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 by 31 January and by 30 June each year. The plans and the table shall include the relevant information necessary for the annual report to be submitted by the Commission under Article 278a(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.


3.   Member States shall inform the Commission immediately of any important updates in their national project and migration plans.


4.   Member States shall make the technical specifications related to the external communication of the national electronic system available to economic operators in a timely manner.



Article 5



Repeal




1.   Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2151 is repealed.


2.   References to Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2151 shall be construed as references to this Decision.



Article 6



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.




Done at Brussels, 15 December 2023.


For the Commission


The President

Ursula VON DER LEYEN
            





(1)  
            OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/952/oj.

(2)  Commission Implementing Decision 2014/255/EU of 29 April 2014 establishing the Work Programme for the Union Customs Code (OJ L 134, 7.5.2014, p. 46, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2014/255/oj).

(3)  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/578 of 11 April 2016 establishing the Work Programme relating to the development and deployment of the electronic systems provided for in the Union Customs Code (OJ L 99, 15.4.2016, p. 6, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2016/578/oj).

(4)  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2151 of 13 December 2019 establishing the work programme relating to the development and deployment of the electronic systems provided for in the Union Customs Code (OJ L 325, 16.12.2019, p. 168, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2019/2151/oj).

(5)  https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/general-information-customs/electronic-customs_en#heading_2

(6)  Decision No 70/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 January 2008 on a paperless environment for customs and trade (OJ L 23, 26.1.2008, p. 21, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2008/70(1)/oj).

(7)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/341 of 17 December 2015 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards transitional rules for certain provisions of the Union Customs Code where the relevant electronic systems are not yet operational and amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 (OJ L 69, 15.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2016/341/oj).

(8)  Commission Implementing Decision (EU 2023/438 of 24 February 2023 granting a derogation requested by certain Member States pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council to use means other than electronic data-processing techniques for the exchange and storage of information for Release 2 of the Import Control System 2 (OJ L 63, 28.2.2023, p. 56, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/438/oj).

(9)  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/234 of 1 February 2023 granting a derogation requested by certain Member States pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council to use means other than electronic data-processing techniques for the exchange and storage of information for the Presentation Notification related to goods brought into the customs territory of the Union (OJ L 32, 28.2.2023, p. 217, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/234/oj).

(10)  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/235 of 1 February 2023 granting a derogation requested by certain Member States pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council to use means other than electronic data-processing techniques for the exchange and storage of information for the notification of arrival of a sea-going vessel or of an aircraft (OJ L 32, 3.2.2023, p. 220, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/235/oj).

(11)  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/236 of 1 February 2023 granting a derogation requested by certain Member States pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council to use means other than electronic data-processing techniques for the exchange and storage of information for the Temporary Storage declaration related to non-Union goods presented to customs (OJ L 32, 3.2.2023, p. 223, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/236/oj).

(12)  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/237 of 1 February 2023 granting a derogation requested by certain Member States to use means other than electronic data- processing techniques for the exchange and storage of information related to the customs declaration for goods brought into the customs territory of the Union laid down in Articles 158, 162, 163, 166, 167, 170 to 174, 201, 240, 250, 254 and 256 of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 32, 3.2.2023, p. 226, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/237/oj).




ANNEX
to the Commission Implementing Decision establishing the work programme relating to the development and deployment of the electronic systems provided for in the union customs code
I.   INTRODUCTION








1.


The work programme provides an instrument to support the application of those provisions of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 (1) and of Regulation (EU)2019/632 (2) that concern the development and deployment of its electronic systems.












2.


The work programme also specifies the periods during which the transitional measures are to apply until the deployment of the new or upgraded electronic systems as referred to in Commission Delegated Regulations (EU) 2015/2446 (3) and (EU) 2016/341 (4) and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/2447 (5).












3.


The ‘key milestone’ of the technical specifications is to be understood to mean the date by which a stable version of the technical specifications is made available. For the national systems or components, this date will be communicated as part of the published national project planning.












4.


The work programme establishes the following ‘dates of deployment’ for the trans-European and national systems:






(a)


the start date of the deployment window for the electronic systems, to be understood to mean the earliest date on which the electronic system becomes operational;










(b)


the end date of the deployment window for the electronic systems, to be understood to mean:






(i)


the last date by which the systems need to be operational in all Member States and used by all economic operators; and










(ii)


the end date of the validity of the transitional measures.




For the purposes of point (b), the date is to be the same as the start date if no actual window is envisaged for migration or deployment.
















5.


For purely national systems or specific national components of a wider Union project, Member States may determine the dates of deployment and the start and end dates of a deployment window in their national project planning, subject to the deadline set out in this work programme and in accordance with Article 278(2) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 for (b) (SP IMP), (c) and (d) hereafter and as set out in Article 278(3) thereof for (a), (b) (SP EXP) and (e) hereafter.
The following national systems or specific national components are covered by the first paragraph:






(a)


UCC Automated Export System (AES) Component 2 (National Export Systems upgrade) (Part II, point 10);










(b)


UCC Special Procedures (SP IMP/SP EXP) (Part II, point 12);










(c)


UCC Arrival Notification, Presentation Notification, Temporary Storage (Part II, point 13);










(d)


UCC National Import Systems upgrade (Part II, point 14);










(e)


UCC Guarantee Management (GUM) — Component 2 (Part II, point 16).
















6.


For trans-European systems with a deployment window but without a single implementation date, Member States may, where deemed appropriate, start the deployment at an appropriate date within this window, subject to the deadline set out in this work programme and in accordance with Article 278(3) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013.
The following trans-European systems are covered by the first paragraph:






(a)


UCC NCTS upgrade (Part II, point 9);










(b)


UCC AES (Component 1) (Part II, point 10).










(c)


UCC CCI (Part II, point 15)




For the trans-European UCC NCTS upgrade (Component 1) (Part II, point 9) and UCC AES (Component 1) (Part II, point 10), Member States may allow, where deemed appropriate, the economic operators to gradually connect until, at the latest, 2 December 2024. Member States communicate the start and end dates of the deployments to the Commission as well as the national transition strategy for their traders. The common domain and external domain aspects will need to be carefully considered by Member States and the Commission during the transitional period which will end on 21 January 2025 for UCC NCTS Upgrade (NCTS-Phase 5) and on 11 February 2025 for AES (Component 1).












7.


The trans-European UCC ICS2 (point 17 of Part II) also requires gradual implementation and transition. The approach in this case is different, however, since Member States are expected to be ready at the same time for each release at the start of each deployment window. Moreover, where deemed appropriate, Member States may allow the economic operators to gradually connect to the system until the end of the deployment window provided for each of the releases, and, where steps are applicable, provided for each of the steps within a release. Member States will publish, in coordination with the Commission, the deadlines and instructions for economic operators on their website.












8.


In implementing the work programme, Member States and the Commission will need to carefully manage complexity in terms of dependencies, variables and assumptions. The principles set out in the MASP-C will be used to manage the planning.
The projects will be rolled out in different phases, from preparation and development to construction, testing, migration and final operation. The role of Member States and the Commission in these different phases will depend on the nature and architecture of the system and its components or services, as described in the detailed project fiches of the MASP-C. Where appropriate, common technical specifications will be defined by the Commission in close cooperation with, and subject to review by, Member States, with a view to finalising them 24 months before the target date of deployment of the electronic system.
Member States and the Commission should also ensure that the economic operators have received in a timely manner the technical information needed for them to update their own electronic systems and to connect to the new or upgraded electronic systems provided for in Regulation (EU) No 952/2013. Any changes need to be communicated to the economic operators between 12 and 24 months before deployment of a particular system, if necessary due to the scope and nature of the change, to allow the economic operators to plan and adjust their systems and interfaces. For minor changes, that period may be shorter.
Member States and, where appropriate, the Commission will engage in the development and deployment of the systems in line with the defined systems’ architecture and specifications. The activities will be carried out in compliance with the milestones and dates stated in the work programme. Member States and the Commission will also collaborate with economic operators and other stakeholders.
The economic operators will have to take the steps necessary to enable them to make use of the systems once in place, and no later than the end dates set out in this work programme or, where applicable, set out by Member States as part of their national plans.




II.   LIST OF PROJECTS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT OF ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS









‘UCC projects and related electronic systems’
List of projects related to the development and deployment of electronic systems required for the application of the Code


Legal base


Key milestone


Dates of deployment of the electronic systems




 


 


 


Start date of the deployment window of the electronic system (6)



End date of the deployment window of the electronic system = End date of the transitional period (7)











1.


UCC Registered Exporter System (REX)
The project aims to make available up-to-date information on registered exporters established in Generalised Scheme of Preference (GSP) countries exporting goods to the Union. The system is trans-European and also includes data about EU economic operators, for the purpose of supporting exports to GSP countries. The required data was inserted into the system in a gradual manner until 31 December 2017.






Article 6(1), Articles 16 and 64, Article 278(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q1 2015


1.1.2017


1.1.2017










2.


UCC Binding Tariff Information (BTI)
The project aims to provide an upgrade of the existing trans-European EBTI-3 system to ensure the following:






(a)


alignment of the EBTI-3 system with UCC requirements;










(b)


extension of under-surveillance-required declaration data;










(c)


monitoring of the compulsory BTI usage;










(d)


monitoring and management of BTI extended usage.




The project was implemented in two phases.
The first phase (step 1) provides functionality to gradually receive the UCC-required declaration dataset from 1 March 2017 until the implementation of the projects listed in points 10 and 14. Full implementation of this project depends on the implementation of the projects listed in points 10 and 14. Step 2 fulfils the BTI usage control obligation on the basis of the newly required declaration dataset and the alignment with the customs decisions process.






Article 6(1), Articles 16, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 33 and 34, Article 278(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q2 2016
(phase 1)


1.3.2017
(phase 1 — step 1)
2.10.2017
(phase 1 — step 2)


1.3.2017
(phase 1 — step 1)
2.10.2017
(phase 1 — step 2)




The second phase implements the electronic form of the BTI application and decision and provides economic operators with a harmonised trader interface to submit the BTI application and receive the BTI decision electronically.


 


Target date of technical specifications
= Q2 2018
(phase 2)


1.10.2019
(phase 2)


1.10.2019
(phase 2)










3.


UCC Customs Decisions
The project aims to harmonise the processes for applications for a customs decision, decision-making and decision management through standardisation and electronic management of application and decision/authorisation data across the Union. The project relates to national and multi-Member State decisions defined by the Code and covers system components developed centrally at Union level and integration with national components where Member States opt for these. This trans-European system facilitates consultation during the decision-making process and the management of the authorisation process.






Article 6(1), Articles 16, 22, 23, 26, 27 and 28, Article 278(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q4 2015


2.10.2017


2.10.2017










4.


Direct trader access to the European Information Systems (Uniform User Management & Digital Signature)
The goal of this project is to provide working solutions for direct and harmonised trader access as a service for user-to-system interfaces, to be integrated into the electronic customs systems as defined in the specific UCC projects. The Uniform User Management and Digital Signature will be integrated into the portals of the systems concerned, and includes support for identity, access and user management compliant with the necessary security policies. The first deployment took place alongside the UCC Customs Decisions system.






Article 6(1), Article 16, Article 278(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q4 2015


2.10.2017


2.10.2017




This technical authentication and user management solution is subsequently being made available for use in other UCC projects such as the UCC Binding Tariff Information (BTI), UCC Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) upgrade, UCC Proof of Union Status (PoUS), UCC Information Sheets (INF) for Special Procedures and the UCC Import Control System 2 (ICS2).


 


 


See the different projects for the dates of deployment.


See the different projects for the dates of deployment.










5.


UCC Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) upgrade
This project aims to improve the business processes related to AEO applications and authorisations, taking into account changes to the legal provisions of the UCC.
In the first phase, the project aims to implement major improvements to the AEO system as part of the harmonisation of the customs decision-making procedure.
In the second phase, the project implements the electronic form of the AEO application and decision, and provides economic operators with a harmonised interface to submit the AEO application and receive the AEO decision electronically. The upgraded system is deployed in two releases: part 1 for the submission of the AEO application and the decision-making process, and part 2 for the other subsequent processes.






Article 6(1), Articles 16, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 38 and 39, Article 278(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q1 2016


5.3.2018
(phase 1)


5.3.2018
(phase 1)




Target date of technical specifications
= Q4 2018


1.10.2019
(phase 2 — part 1 initial processes)
16.12.2019
(phase 2 — part 2 other processes)


1.10.2019
(phase 2 — part 1)
16.12.2019
(phase 2 — part 2)










6.


UCC Economic Operator Registration and Identification System upgrade (EORI 2)
This project aims to provide a minor upgrade of the existing trans-European EORI system that enables the registration and identification of Union and third-country economic operators and persons other than economic operators that are active in customs matters in the Union.






Article 6(1), Article 9, Article 278(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q2 2016


5.3.2018


5.3.2018










7.


UCC Surveillance 3
This project aims to provide an upgrade of the Surveillance 2+ system to ensure its alignment with UCC requirements such as the standard exchange of information via electronic data processing techniques and the establishment of the functionalities needed for processing and analysing the full surveillance dataset obtained from Member States.
It includes further data mining capabilities and reporting functionalities, therefore, which will be made available to Member States and the Commission .
Full implementation of this project is dependent on the projects listed in points 10 and 14. The date of deployment of this system is set out by Member States as part of their national plans.






Article 6(1), Articles 16 and 56(5), Article 278(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q3 2016


1.10.2018


1.10.2018










8.


UCC Proof of Union Status (PoUS)
The project aims to create a new trans-European system to store, manage and retrieve the Proofs of Union Status T2L/F and the customs goods manifest (issued by a non-authorised issuer).
As the implementation of the customs goods manifest is to be linked to the European Maritime Single Window, this part of the project will be covered in phase 2.






Article 6(1), Articles 16 and 153, Article 278(3)(c) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q1 2022


1.3.2024
(phase 1)


1.3.2024
(phase 1)




15.08.2025
(phase 2)


15.08.2025
(phase 2)










9.


UCC New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) upgrade
The aim of this project is to align the existing trans-European NCTS system with the new UCC.

Component 1 - ‘NCTS-Phase 5’: the aim of this phase is to align the NCTS system with the new UCC requirements except in safety and security data elements in transit customs declarations of goods brought into the customs territory of the Union.
It covers the registration of ‘en route’ events, the alignment of information exchanges with UCC data requirements and the upgrade and development of interfaces with other systems.
The project may be implemented in two steps.
Step 1: Core functionalities for NCTS-Phase 5 which will ensure operational continuity of the system, such as the standard transit declaration (core flow), simplified procedure at departure/destination (authorised consignor/consignee), amendment/invalidation, diversion (at office of transit and destination), inquiry/recovery processes and the sending of business statistics data. This step may also cover the non-core functionalities as defined in step 2.
Step 2: this step covers the remaining functionalities such as development of harmonised interface with AES, declaration lodged prior to presentation of the goods, declaration with reduced dataset, Incident ‘en route’ and formalities at Office of Exit for Transit.

Component 2 - ‘NCTS-Phase 6’: the aim of this phase is to implement the specific new requirements for safety and security data elements in transit customs declarations of goods brought into the customs territory of the Union resulting from project 17 (UCC ICS2). It covers the development of the interface with ICS2, to facilitate the lodging of a transit declaration containing particulars of the entry summary declaration by applying Article 130(1) UCC.






Article 6(1), Articles 16 and 226-236, Article 278(3)(e) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q4 2019


1.3.2021
(component 1)


Step 1: 1.12.2023




Step 2: 2.12.2024
End of transition: 21.01.2025
(component 1)




Target date of technical specifications
= Q2 2022


3.03.2025
(component 2)


1.09.2025
(component 2)










10.


UCC Automated Export System (AES)
This project aims to implement the UCC requirements for export and exit.

Component 1 - ‘Trans-European AES’. The aim of the project is to further develop the existing trans-European Export Control System in order to implement a full AES that will cover the business requirements for processes and data brought about by the UCC. Component 1 may be implemented in three steps.
Step 1: Core functionalities for AES that will enable the full automation of export procedures and exit formalities. The AES covers parts to be developed centrally and nationally, including the national components in which the export declaration is lodged and processed and which enable the subsequent exchange of information with the customs office of exit via the common components of the AES. This step also includes the functions of exit formalities that are necessary to release the goods for exit. This step may also cover the functionalities defined under steps 2 and 3.
Step 2: This step covers the development of harmonised interface with the Excise Movement & Control System (EMCS). This step may also cover the functionalities defined under step 3.
Step 3: This step covers other functionalities such as simplified and supplementary declarations, development of harmonised interface with NCTS, centralised clearance, declaration lodged prior to presentation of the goods.

Component 2 - ‘National Export Systems upgrade’. In a process outside the scope of the AES but closely linked, separate national systems are to be upgraded for specific national elements related to export and/or exit formalities. Where these elements do not affect the common domain for AES, they can be covered under this component.






Article 6(1), Articles 16, 179 and 263-276, Article 278(3)(f) and (d) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q4 2019
(component 1)


1.3.2021
(component 1)


Step 1:1.12.2023




Step 2: 13.2.2024 (8)

Step 3: 2.12.2024
End of transition: 11.02.2025
(component 1)




Target date of technical specifications
= to be defined by MS
(component 2)


1.3.2021
(component 2)


2.12.2024
(component 2)










11.


UCC Information Sheets (INF) for Special Procedures
The aim of this project is to develop a new trans-European system to support and streamline the INF data management processes and the electronic handling of INF data in the Special Procedures domain.






Article 6(1), Articles 16, 215, 255-262, Article 278(1) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q2 2018


1.6.2020


1.6.2020










12.


UCC Special Procedures
This project aims to accelerate, facilitate and harmonise Special Procedures across the Union by providing common business process models. The national systems will implement all UCC changes required for customs warehousing, end-use, temporary admission, inward and outward processing.
This project will be implemented in two parts.

Component 1 - ‘National SP EXP’. Provides the required national electronic solutions for export-related special procedures activities.

Component 2 - ‘National SP IMP’. Provides the required national electronic solutions for import-related special procedures activities.
Implementation of these projects will take place through the projects listed in points 10 and 14.






Article 6(1), Articles 16, 215, 237-242 and 250-262, Article 278(2)(b) and (3)(f) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= to be defined by MS (for component 1 and 2)


1.3.2021
(component 1)


2.12.2024
(component 1)




To be defined by MS as part of the national plan
(component 2)


To be defined by MS as part of the national plan with a deployment window until 31.12.2022 (9)

(component 2)










13.


UCC Notification of Arrival, Presentation Notification and Temporary Storage
The goal of this project is to define the processes for Notification of Arrival of the means of transport, Presentation of the goods (Presentation Notification) and Declaration for Temporary Storage as described in the UCC and to support harmonisation in this respect across Member States as regards the data exchange between trade and customs.
The project covers the automation of processes at national level.






Article 6(1), Articles 16 and 133-152, Article 278(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= to be defined by MS and for Notification of Arrival in line with ICS2 planning


To be defined by MS as part of the national plan


To be defined by MS as part of the national plan with a deployment window until 31.12.2022 (10)











14.


UCC National Import Systems upgrade
The project aims to implement all process and data requirements deriving from the UCC which relate to the import domain (and which are not covered by one of the other projects defined in the work programme). It relates mainly to the changes in the ‘Release for free circulation’ procedure (standard procedure + simplifications), but also covers the impact arising from other system migrations. This project relates to the national import domain covering national customs declaration processing systems as well as other systems such as national accountancy and payment systems.






Article 6(1), Article 16(1) and Articles 53, 56, 77-80, 83-87, 101-105, 108-109, 158-187, 194-195, Article 278(2)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= to be defined by MS


To be defined by MS as part of the national plan


To be defined by MS as part of the national plan with a deployment window until 31.12.2022 (11)











15.


UCC Centralised Clearance for Import (CCI)
This project aims to allow goods to be placed under a customs procedure using centralised clearance, allowing economic operators to centralise their business from a customs viewpoint. The processing of the customs declaration and the physical release of the goods should be coordinated between the related customs offices. It concerns a trans-European system containing components developed centrally and nationally.
The project will be implemented in two phases.

Phase 1: This phase will cover centralised clearance with standard customs declarations and may cover centralised clearance with simplified customs declarations and the respective general or periodic supplementary declarations (regularising one simplified customs declaration). In addition, it will cover the placing of goods under the following customs procedures: release for free circulation, customs warehousing, inward processing and end-use. For the type of goods this phase will cover all types of goods with the exception of excise goods, EU goods in the context of trade with special fiscal territories and goods subject to common agricultural policy measures.

Phase 2: The aim of this phase is to implement all the functionalities under the full CCI scope: simplified and supplementary declarations (if not implemented under Phase 1), the customs declarations through an entry in the declarant’s records and the recapitulative supplementary declarations (regularising more than one simplified customs declaration or more than one entry in the declarant’s records), the placing of goods under the temporary admission procedure, excise goods, EU goods in the context of trade with special fiscal territories and goods subject to common agricultural policy measures.






Article 6(1), Articles 16 and 179, Article 278(3)(d) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q3 2020


1.3.2022
(Phase 1)


1.7.2024
(Phase 1)




Target date of technical specifications
= Q2 2022


2.10.2023
(Phase 2)


2.6.2025
(Phase 2)










16.


UCC Guarantee Management (GUM)
This project aims to ensure the effective and efficient management of the different types of guarantees.

Component 1 - ‘GUM’: The central component of the trans-European system will cover the management of the comprehensive guarantees that may be used in more than one Member State. It will be implemented in the UCC Customs Decisions System and interface with a national component (see Component 2) for the monitoring of the reference amount. This reference amount may relate to each customs declaration, supplementary declaration or other appropriate information about the particulars needed for the monitoring of the reference amounts of the comprehensive guarantees for temporary storage and all customs procedures as provided for in the Union Customs Code, with the exception of Transit which is handled as part of the NCTS project.

Component 2 - ‘National Guarantee Management’: This component will be implemented through a national electronic system where comprehensive guarantees valid in more than one Member State will be registered and managed and its reference amount monitored. It will also be used for other guarantees.
The component will connect with the national customs declaration systems whenever guarantees are invoked in the customs declaration and, in case of comprehensive guarantees, it should retrieve the relevant business data from the respective authorisation to provide a comprehensive guarantee.






Article 6(1), Articles 16 and 89-100, Article 278(3)(a) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications
= Q3 2022
(component 1)


11.3.2024
(component 1)


11.3.2024
(component 1)




Target date of technical specifications
= to be defined by MS
(component 2)


To be defined by MS as part of the national plan, with deployment from 11.3.2024 at the earliest.
(component 2)


To be defined by MS as part of the national plan with a deployment window until 2.6.2025
(component 2)










17.


UCC Import Control System 2 (ICS2)
The aim of this programme is to strengthen pre-arrival safety and security of goods entering the Union by implementing the new UCC requirements regarding the lodging and treatment of entry summary declarations (ENS), namely the provision of ENS data in more than one submission and/or by different persons and the exchange of that data and the risk analysis results among the customs authorities. The ICS2 will lead to a completely new architecture and phased replacement of the existing trans-European ICS system.
The programme is being implemented in three releases.

Release 1: This release covers the obligation on the relevant economic operators (postal operators and express carriers in air transport) to provide the minimum data, i.e., ENS pre-loading dataset.

Release 2: This release covers the implementation of complete new ENS obligations, related business and risk management processes for all the goods in air traffic.

Release 3: This release will cover the implementation of complete new ENS obligations, related business and risk management processes for all goods in maritime and inland waterways and road and rail traffic (this includes goods in postal consignments transported in these means of transport). The roll-out of Release 3 will occur in the following way: first maritime and inland waterways carriers will be phasing in (step 1), then the house level filers in the maritime and inland waterways traffic (step 2), and then the road and rail carriers (step 3).






Article 6(1), Articles 16, 46, 47, and 127-132, Article 278(3)(b) of Regulation (EU) No 952/2013


Target date of technical specifications for all three Releases
= Q2 2018


15.3.2021
(Release 1)


1.10.2021
(Release 1)




1.3.2023 (12)

(Release 2)


2.10.2023
(Release 2)




3.6.2024 (13) (Release 3)
Step 1: 3.6.2024
Step 2: 4.12.2024
Step 3: 1.4.2025


See step 1-3
Step 1: 4.12.2024 (at the latest)
Step 2: 1.4.2025 (at the latest)
Step 3: 1.9.2025 (at the latest)






(1)  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, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/952/oj).

(2)  Regulation (EU) 2019/632 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2019 amending Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 to prolong the transitional use of means other than the electronic data-processing techniques provided for in the Union Customs Code (OJ L 111, 25.4.2019, p. 54, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/632/oj.

(3)  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, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2015/2446/oj).

(4)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/341 of 17 December 2015 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards transitional rules for certain provisions of the Union Customs Code where the relevant electronic systems are not yet operational and amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 (OJ L 69, 15.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2016/341/oj).

(5)  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, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2015/2447/oj).

(6)  This date for starting the deployment window of the electronic systems is the earliest date for Member States to start operations.

(7)  This date for ending the deployment window of the electronic systems is the last date by which the system should be fully deployed and the last date by which all economic operators should be migrated; where applicable, the date will be established by Member States and is the end date of the validity of the transitional period.

(8)  By this date the requirement laid down in Article 55(3) of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1070 must be implemented in the national export system.

(9)  Until 31 December 2023 regarding the Member States to which Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/237 is addressed or, where Article 2(4a) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 applies, until 1 July 2024.

(10)  Until 31 December 2023, regarding the notification of arrival of an aircraft into the customs territory of the Union by air, and until 29 February 2024, regarding the notification of arrival of a sea-going vessel into the customs territory of the Union and until 31 December 2023, regarding the presentation notification and temporary storage declaration in respect of goods brought into the customs territory of the Union by air, and until 29 February 2024 in respect of goods brought into the customs territory of the Union by other transport modes, in relation to the Member States to which Commission Implementing Decisions (EU) 2023/234, 2023/235 and 2023/236 are addressed.

(11)  Until 31 December 2023, regarding the Member States to which Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/237 is addressed or, where Article 2(4a) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446 applies, until 1 July 2024.

(12)  Until 30 June 2023 regarding the Member States to which Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/438 is addressed.

(13)  This date is the date for deployment of the full Release 3 of ICS2 by all Member States



ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2023/2879/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)