The outbreak of coronavirus affected business in Europe. Some business activities had to be paused as the possibility of infection was higher. Those are mostly business activities with direct contact with the consumer. But even in this time, some business activities could carry on normally or even increased due to higher demand. Those business activities mostly include e-commerce and import and export. The European Commission issued guidelines for customs legislation during the epidemic to ensure that these procedures run smoothly. As Slovenia is one of the EU member states, companies in Slovenia have to abide by the same guidelines.
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General provisions to customs legislation during coronavirus outbreak
Authorization for representation in terms of postal traffic and services of express mail (e-commerce)
As the number of postal packages increased and there is not enough staff to cover the conditions in the usual legislation, the EU guidelines are that in these extraordinary circumstances to abandon the necessity to submit authorization for representation. The customs officers will not request submitting this authorization from postal providers, express mail providers and customs agents.
Application for non-essential customs decrees
Due to the outbreak of coronavirus the guidelines are to consider submitting applications for non-essential customs decrees at a later period, after the epidemic has passed. Also, the companies that already submitted applications for customs decrees or permits where certain adjustments would be required, can submit a request to extend the deadline. This will enable them to overcome time constraints due to the epidemic.
Entry of goods
Medical equipment still requires to present the entry declaration at import. It is possible to submit it using trade, port and transportation information systems, if these systems include all information necessary for the declaration. It has to be available in a specific deadline, before the goods reach the customs area of the European Union.
The document that proves the customs status of goods from the Union requires submission to the customs official as an original. But due to extraordinary circumstances, it is possible that the companies submit only a copy of the document. You would have to submit the original as soon as circumstances allow it.
Customs procedures
Goods on temporary storage for more than 90 days
The current legislation does not allow temporary storage of goods for more than 90 days. After this time, you can request an extension claiming force majeure due to the epidemic. The customs official will review each request individually.
Deadline for submitting additional declarations
Holders of a permit for a simplified procedure that cannot submit additional declarations to the customs office due to circumstances relating to coronavirus outbreak, have to inform the customs office as soon as possible and request an extension of the deadline.
Special procedures
Deadline to submit goods for a to a customs office with a transit procedure
When a transport company under transit procedure submits goods to a receiving customs office but misses the deadline that the outgoing customs office issued, the delay is not a fault of the transporting party but can be attributed to the virus outbreak.
Using Carnet TIR without including information into the electronic transit system
The Customs Office can allow using the Carnet TIR on request of the holder in paper form. They would not have to submit information in the electronic transit system as well.
In case of any extraordinary occurrences in transit, it is possible that the transport companies record the event on the destination and on the Carnet TIR in order to facilitate the procedures.
Temporary import with a full relief from import duties
Importing material that helps with possible accidents, along with importing medical and surgical equipment is relieved from the full amount of import customs duties. This is a temporary measure that will last throughout the epidemic and only for delivering these items to hospitals and other medical instituions.
Possibility to extend deadlines to conclude temporary import based on Carnet ATA
The holders of Carnet ATA can submit a request to extend the deadline to conclude the procedure of temporary import due to the epidemic.
Export of goods
You can import goods for maintenance of ships. However, the goods have to remain on the ship and you cannot export them to a third country.
Extending deadlines for invalidity of customs declaration or declaration for re-export
Due to the epidemic, the customs office will not start procedures for issuing invalidity of customs declarations. They would issue them only if the declarant specifically requests it.
Preferential origin of goods – proof of origin
For the purposes of granting preferential treatment at import, copies of the certificates and optimum use of the status of approved exporter may be accepted under certain conditions. The European Commission has called on EU trading partners to inform them if they are interested in taking such exceptional measures. Exceptional measures may be implemented between EU Member States and those EU trading partners who will agree to such an approach and after confirmation by the European Commission. To this end, the European Commission will prepare and publish information and a description of such arrangements adopted by the customs authorities of the EU Member States and the EU’s preferential trading partners.
Are you a business owner in Slovenia or looking to register a company here? Are you having trouble understanding what is best for your business? Call our experts on +386 1 6006 270, Viber/Whatsapp +386 40 530 718 or write to us on [email protected]
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