The Rapporteur presented her draft Report to Members, highlighting the objective to promote modern and simple customs rules. The main amendments tabled by Ms Le Grip to the Commission's proposal concern: the use of electronic means by all Member States (exceptionally derogations could be allowed for a limited period of time and when they do not affect the development, maintenance and employment of the electronic system); the integration of main principles in the basic act on the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status and on the rules on the acquisition of origin and preferential origin of goods; the possibility of testing further simplification using electronic data-processing techniques. In general, Members supported Ms Le Grip's draft Report and welcomed her balanced approach. Centralised clearance as ruled in the Modernised Customs Code and the no-need for a separate declaration for temporary storage were also items highlighted at the meeting.
Source : © European Union, 2012 - EP