The Challenge: Safeguarding consignments

The recent enlargement of the EU brought the external borders of the Union
directly towards the state borders of the West Balkans countries. These
countries are now directly confronted with neighbours implementing EU rules
with regard to the flow of goods (and persons).

The compliance with EU regulations becomes increasingly necessary in
West Balkans as the stabilization of the political climate and the prospect
of membership to the EU will increase trading volume and transactions.
In this context, customs have a significant role in safeguarding consignments
from and to West Balkans.

The Need: Balance between trade facilitation and trade control

Customs Administrations are faced with a complex range of challenges.
The prime responsibilities remain the collection of revenues and the
protection of society, but these demanding tasks must be performed
effectively and efficiently, whilst at the same time facilitating the
flow of legitimate goods.

Customs Administrations face the challenge of facilitating the movement
of legitimate consignments hile applying controls to detect customs
fraud and other offences, within the context of high volume of
transactions and the impossibility of inspecting all f them due to
limited resources. The key to achieving an appropriate balance between
trade facilitation and trade control is the effective application of the
principles of risk management.