Principles of interaction between National Customs Agency and National Veterinary Service Anelia Angelova Head of Tariff Policy Directorate

Relevant legislation Community Customs Code (CCC) Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code Implementing Provisions of the Community Customs Code (IPCC) Commission Regulation (EEC) No 2454/93 of 2 July 1993 laying down provisions for the implementation of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 establishing the Community Customs Code

Customs law of the EU Common Customs Tariff Council Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 of 23 July 1987 on the tariff and statistical nomenclature and on the Common Customs Tariff National Legislation

Most relevant rules and their link with veterinary legislation Goods may at any time be assigned any customs-approved treatment or use ……………This does not preclude the imposition of prohibitions or restrictions* justified on grounds of public morality, public policy or public security, the protection of health and life of humans, animals or plants,…. (article 58 CCC) * Customs authorities on whom the border inspection post is geographically dependent allow the intended customs- approved treatment or use of the consignments only in accordance with the conditions set out in the CVED. (article 3.3 of Council Directive 97/78)

Customs controls Specific acts performed by the customs authorities to ensure the correct application – of customs rules and – other legislation (e.g. veterinary provisions) governing the entry, exit, transit……of goods moved between the Community and third counties…..

Customs controls Customs controls may include – examining goods – verifying declaration data and the existence and authenticity of electronic or written documents – examining the accounts of undertakings and other records

Customs controls Customs controls may include – inspecting means of transport – inspecting luggage and other goods carried by or on persons – carrying out official inquiries and other similar acts

Cooperation Since 2005 a written Instruction of cooperation between NCA and NVS has been endorsed; Recognizing the upcoming full membership in EU, a new, updated Instruction has been concluded in the end of 2006

Cooperation Customs authorities do not authorize the intended customs approved – treatment or use for the goods unless, a proof has been supplied that the necessary requirements according to veterinary law have been fulfilled.

BICIS BICIS – Bulgarian Integrated Customs Information System The web-based IT system is developed and implemented in the end of 90s Due to its various appliances it facilitates and increases the effectiveness of customs officials work

BICIS - Risk analyse appliance helps for the identification of goods of veterinary concern - It alerts for the actions to be taken in order to ensure that necessary checks have been carried out by the relevant authorities - Additional guarantee that if a good of veterinary concern has entered the EU without being subject to a border veterinary control, it could be checked later but before its release by customs authorities

Points of entry Both services ensure that commercial cargo consignments are introduced into EU territory only via border crossing points where Border Inspection Posts (BIPs) are in place. 8 officially approved BIPs on Bulgarian borders – Commission Decision 2008/387/EC

Personal luggage and pets Inspecting of personal luggage and pet animals is carried out in all border crossing points, therefore a good cooperation between authorities, especially on places without BIPs, is very important in order to ensure compliance with requirements of the EU

Customs in the future Some amendments in Community Customs Code introduced a number of measures to tighten security for goods entering or leaving the Community – Regulation 1875/2006 ! Will be fully applicable from 1 st of July 2009

Customs in the future Requirement for pre-arrival information to be provided to the customs authorities on all goods entering the customs territory of the Community An electronically lodged entry summary declaration is obligatory (exemptions are possible)

Thank you for your kind attention! Sofia,