EurTradeNet

Charged batteries this summer? So did we!   We are more than ready for our #EurTradeNet 2024 Annual Meeting next week, this time in #Hamburg, Germany.   ETN Hamburg 2024 will be a great opportunity to calmly share with TAXUD on two areas: ·         Practicalities on key Trans-European Systems, realities and improvements. ·         The Customs Reform, the EU Data Hub as crucial IT pillar for us.    No doubt we are jointly living heavy #eCustoms deployment times, the ITSPs are devoted to deliver ad-hoc systems and provide constant support. EurTradeNet associates actively discuss and help each other to timely deliver EU-wide; while we have an ETN Steering Committee analyzing new directions being designed.   We are structuring this Annual to be fluid and fruitful for all parties, with a balance of round tables and group work, agile methods for Q&A and informal networking. We want to thank DAKOSY for hosting this year ETN Annual Meeting; and very special thanks to Evelyn Eggers for her great organization skills and support at all moments.

For over 20 years EurTradeNet-ETN carries on working to assure quality delivery in electronic Customs. We globally represent the interests of the IT service providers (the so-called ITSPs), keeping them well prepared for market challenges decided at the European level. As solution makers for the international supply chain industry, ETN constantly collaborates with the most relevant Trade Associations in Europe; we discreetly share problems and honestly elaborate proposals of improvement to defend together. Joining forces on ICS2 is just another step in our common journey, the successful delivery of eCustoms. Thanks to the close collaboration with airlines (Airlines for Europe (A4E) and International Air Transport Association (IATA)), freight forwarders (CLECAT) and express operators (EEA) our proposals are being listened here and there. This week we’ve been invited again by DG TAXUD to intensively dialogue on the new import control platform, its releases and operations EU-wide, for all parties to better realise the needed resolutions in Brussels. We believe in close and bona fide partnership in the eCustoms sector, and our discrete and professional endeavor seeks the wellbeing of todays and tomorrow stakeholders. EurTradeNet is here to support, as you know, TO DO MORE AND EVEN BETTER

In the last #ECCG (Electronic Customs Coordination Group) session held in March, #EurTradeNet had an explicit acknowledgement from TAXUD. During their presentation, #TAXUD recommended the Member States to enable a Trade Service Desk with dedicated support to the IT Service Providers (ITSPs). EurTradeNet has been pushing since long for an ad-hoc support to ITSPs, not only a 24/7 service for ICS2 but for all Trans-European Systems, and this recommendation comes as a clear push for us. At the same presentation, TAXUD explicitly thanks the ITSPs for the hard work and positive pushing to meet the AES&NCTS deadlines. ETN and TAXUD have asked for a joint reflection on the correct balance “National-Central” for support services; too often the path Traders (and their ITSPs) are requested (National Help Desk then Central Service Desk, and back again) is time consuming and not effective. We will keep our hard work on this critical matter, we truly believe a success from our side is a success for all!! #UCC_Implementation #EurTradeNet

And maritime is next! Are you ready? From EurTradeNet we are raising our voice at DG Taxud to have proper National Helpdesk deployed and available for trade and software providers, and also direct access to the Central Helpdesk if needed. Timely information and documentation is key for a common success of this critical project. #EurTradeNet #ICS2

And maritime is next! Are you ready? From EurTradeNet we are raising our voice at DG Taxud to have proper National Helpdesk deployed and available for trade and software providers, and also direct access to the Central Helpdesk if needed. Timely information and documentation is key for a common success of this critical project. #EurTradeNet #ICS2

We want to congratulate Nerea Rodriguez for her new position as Director of the Spanish Customs and Excise Department. She was our top guest in Segovia, when we held our annual meeting about a year ago. She then shared her thoughts and experience on a one-to-one dialogue with kris dejongh (Head of Unit Customs Systems in TAXUD) and Vidar Gundersen on what laid ahead when talking on the implementation of what was left of the #UCC. Little did we know back then that few months after that professional exchange between customs authorities from TAXUD, Spain and software providers we would have a proposal reform of the UCC on the table. We are certain Nerea Rodriguez will do a great job indeed, she has a great team with her to make any project a success!

Reflecting on the Past, Embracing the Future As we look back on the resolutions and aspirations we set at the beginning of the year, we truly believe our participation at the Trade Contact Group plenaries, the Electronic Customs Coordination Group sessions, and exclusive TAXUD Project Groups together with other top players bring a difference. And we do not cease to get involved, the establishment of the ETN Steering Committee on EU Customs Reform (ETN CustRef) will without a doubt become a powerful tool for anticipating eCustoms needs and to prepare the IT solutions to upcoming challenges. #EurTradeNet has won relevant new members recently: multinationals like Trade Tech Inc. and AEB Global joined, the American leader CDM Software Solutions, Inc. as well, and mid-size providers devoted to Italy (#TruckOne and GMG SISTEMI) and Greece (#ORIAN Information Services in Greece also provides eCustoms solutions in Malta, Cyprus and Romania). As we welcome these remarkable members (two new candidates will also adhere early this year), let's remember that our International Association thrives on collaboration, support, and the exchange of customs knowledge. Each new member adds a unique brushstroke to the canvas of our knowledge map, creating a strong cooperation net. Their commitment to develop the best customs solutions in this never-ending changing world aligns seamlessly with our ETN moto: Think European Perform Local. Happy 2024 to all!!!

ATTENTION, IT IS OFFICIAL #EurTRadeNet was well informed since long, but now DG TAXUD informs on the adoption of the revisited UCC-Work Programme, including the new #dates for #ICS2. Below the communication and relevant links. On 15 December 2023, the European Commission has adopted the Implementing Decision on the new Union Customs Code (UCC) Work Programme which replaces the one in force since 2019. The newly adopted UCC Work Programme is available in the Implementing Decision and its Annex. The publication in the Official Journal is planned in January 2024.      Following this adoption, we are pleased to inform you that the revised ICS2 go-live date and deployment window for the maritime and inland waterways, road and rail transport modes are available for your information on the ICS2 Release 3 page.   A factsheet for the maritime and inland waterways sector is now also available in several languages on the same page, under “How to prepare”. This includes key information about the changes and steps to take to get ready. Furthermore, a video and a second factsheet about the technical preparation are online. A factsheet for the rail and road sectors is under preparation and will be published in 2024. Your assistance in conveying this information and material to key economic and trade stakeholders in your countries and organisations would be greatly appreciated and would help avoid unnecessary disruptions for them at EU customs.