EC WARNS ABOUT RISK OF CUSTOMS REFORM COMPROMISE
The European Commission warned that a compromise text on
a reform of the Community customs code to be discussed by the EU Council of Ministers
would facilitate fraud.
The EC said that Frits Bolkestein, the commissioner responsible for the EU’s
customs union, would withdraw the reform proposal unless the text includes sufficient
safeguards against fraud.
The EC said that the compromise text would not include sufficient safeguards
against goods being imported with false country of origin certificates. This would makeg
it easier for importers to fraudulently claim goods to qualify for lower import tariffs
such as those granted to developing countries.