www.bifa.org


News Desk Covid-19 customs measures


CLECAT sent an urgent letter to the EU Commissioner for Economy and DG TAXUD in late March requesting a provision for the delayed payment of customs debts, extensions on procedures like Transit, and the possibility to exchange paper documents in electronic format. Several EU member states and


the UK have reacted very positively and adequately to the requests made. DG TAXUD has, in the meantime, been addressing the issues and a formal answer is expected any moment. It is crucial that the security of


supplies and the integrity of the logistics chains in the EU are preserved in the interest of EU citizens and the EU economy. Customs plays a major role in safeguarding the security of supplies and the integrity of the supply chains. Both the authorities and the


private sector which ensure the fulfilment of customs formalities – the sector which is represented by CLECAT at the European level – require additional customs measures, support and communication to keep cargo flows running. CLECAT’s call for specific


measures was well received by the Commission and national authorities. Without delay, many member states’ customs and other


BIFAlink


WTO launches webpage on Covid-19 and world trade


The World Trade Organization (WTO) set up a dedicated webpage (www.wto.org/ english/tratop_e/covid19_e/ covid19_e.htm) in March to help governments, business, the media and the public to track the latest information on trade-related responses to the COVID-19 outbreak. The webpage provides up-to-


border authorities have taken measures that are in line with the requests as made by the freight forwarding and customs brokerage industry. Italy, for example, has granted


possibilities for delay of payment, Belgium has ensured the digital exchange of documents and Spain has reduced non-essential checks. France and the Netherlands have even addressed, in one way or another, all of the requests within a week. The Director of the EU


Commission’s DG TAXUD informed CLECAT on 26 March that at EU level, the Commission has been addressing the issues raised by CLECAT. A formal response is being finalised and is expected any moment. Additionally, the Commission


indicated in a letter to the national authorities that it intends to initiate the necessary legislative steps to


enable granting relief on customs duties and VAT applied on imports of protective equipment, other relevant medical devices or equipment in the context of the Covid-19 outbreak. Various issues remain, however.


The rules on importation of protective equipment are not entirely clear and each EU member state seems to have a different approach. Additionally, it remains very


important that EU-wide possibilities are provided to delay the payment of customs debts. While some member states have already granted this relief, others are waiting for a response from the Commission. CLECAT will remain in close


contact with its members and the EU authorities to ensure the best possible measures in the interest of its members, EU citizens and the EU economy.


the-minute information, including relevant notifications by WTO members, the impact the virus has had on exports and imports, and how WTO activities have been affected by the pandemic. In order to improve the


monitoring of the Covid-19 pandemic trade implications, WTO director general Roberto Azevêdo called for transparency with regard to trade-related policies and urged WTO Members to provide information about their Covid- 19 policies with trade implications. Mr Azevêdo stressed the


importance of transparency with regard to trade-related measures, arguing that it would be particularly useful for the many countries that rely on imports for medical supplies.


By sea – Hague Visby rules (2 SDR): £2.19 per kg £728.66 per package


By road – CMR (8.33 SDR): £9.10 per kg


By air –Montreal Convention (22 SDR): £24.05 per kg


May 2020


By air –Warsaw Convention (17 SDR): £18.58 per kg


BIFA STC: (2 SDR): £2.19 per kg


(The SDR rate on 15 April 2020, according to the IMF website, was 1.09298)


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