A public consultation has been opened by the Commission on the roadmap for an evaluation report on the EU-China Customs Agreement.

• The consultation will run from 24 March 2020 to 16 June 2020.

Context. The mission of the EU's customs authorities is set out in the Union Customs Code and includes putting in place measures aimed at (a) protecting the financial interests of the Union and its Member States, (b) protecting the Union from unfair and illegal trade while supporting legitimate business activity, (c) ensuring the security and safety of the Union and its residents, and the protection of the environment, where appropriate in close cooperation with other authorities, and (d) maintaining a proper balance between customs controls and facilitation of legitimate trade. As part of its common commercial policy, the EU also pursues those objectives by developing international cooperation in customs matters. This happens in multilateral organisations like the World Customs Organisation and through bilateral agreements with individual third countries or regions, so-called Customs Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreements or Free Trade Agreements.

HERE for more information and the Evaluation and Fitness Check Roadmap