Export Knowhow

Union residence for declarants in the EU

The Union Customs Code of the European Union (EU) requires mandatory Union residence for commercial customs declarations. It is therefore not possible for a company not established in the EU to act as a customs importer or exporter in the EU.

New prerequisite for exporters shipping goods from the EU

What does this mean for Swiss companies with an EU warehouse?

Previously, Swiss companies with warehouses in the EU could be registered as exporters in ATLAS, for example through indirect representation by the EU shipper (declarant), and could thus export goods directly from the EU warehouse. According to the new regulation, a shipper or a third party established in the EU may act as exporter, but this is only possible if decision-making power is formally transferred to them.

The exporter for the purposes of customs and excise law is also bound by the duties imposed by customs legislation and must, among other things, be able to provide the necessary documents on the exported goods on request from the customs office. For compliance reasons, therefore, some well-known shippers established in the EU only offer this service with an advance risk analysis or not at all.

It is worthwhile to make contact with the shipper or a third party to discuss the possibilities and additional costs involved in designating them as the exporter according to customs and excise law. 

What does this mean for Swiss companies supplying “ex works” from the EU?

Previously, in this case too it was possible to be registered as an exporter in ATLAS by means of indirect representation by the EU shipper (declarant) and thus to export the goods from the EU to Switzerland (or other non-EU countries). According to the new regulation, here too a shipper or a third party established in the EU may act as exporter, but this is only possible if decision-making power is formally transferred to them.

In such cases, it is important to note that the EU supplier does not have any power of determination regarding the supply of the goods. This also means that they can only act as exporter if the power of determination is formally transferred to them.

It is worthwhile desisting from ex-works agreements and shifting to the FCA (free carrier) instead. This way, the goods will be supplied with customs procedures already completed and the EU supplier is the exporter under customs and excise law.

Individual Consultation

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact the ExportHelp team at Switzerland Global Enterprise at exporthelp@s-ge.com or call 0844 811.812.

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