The European customs sector demands urgent simplification of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

 

The objective: to simplify the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The main concern lies in the excessive bureaucratic burden and responsibilities imposed on authorized declarants, which, according to the sector, threatens to paralyze the logistics and commercial operations in the European Union.

 

The recent approval of the «Bus Package» on the part of the European Commission, intended to simplify the CBAM, has generated a mixed reaction among logistics and customs operators. While some progress in reducing administrative procedures is acknowledged, both the CGAA and CLECAT consider that the new regulations are still impose unnecessarily burdensome obligations.

 

One of the main objections focuses on the role and responsibility of authorized declarants. The obligation for indirect customs representatives to assume the role of «CBAM Declarants"The customs clearance process for non-EU importers has been described as an 'unnecessary barrier' by both organizations."

 

While the Commission's proposal introduces some improvements and reduces certain administrative procedures, CLECAT, the organization to which the CGAA belongs, considers that unnecessarily burdensome obligations for operators persist.

 

“We cannot accept being burdened with responsibilities that are not ours,” a CGAA spokesperson stated. “We are not involved in the production or carbon emissions of imported goods. Our role is to facilitate trade, not to assume risks beyond our control.”

 

CLECATFor its part, the organization has sent a letter to the European authorities detailing its concerns and requesting urgent adjustments. In particular, the organization is calling for greater regulatory clarity and the elimination of unnecessary administrative burdens.

 

“We need clear and simple rules,” said a CLECAT representative. “Uncertainty and complexity only create additional costs and delays in the supply chain.”

 

The sector has also expressed concern about the requirement to obtain CBAM authorization even if all clients are exempt from this mechanism. They consider this requirement "unnecessary" and are asking the European Commission to clarify the regulation to avoid "additional complications."

 

Regarding the possibility of delegating the filing of CBAM returns, CLECAT has proposed that the delegate be defined as an "authorized representative." This measure would allow companies not established in the EU to delegate their CBAM responsibilities to a representative who can assume all the responsibilities currently held by the company. indirect customs representatives.

 

The CGAA and CLECAT hope that the European Commission will take their proposals into consideration and make the necessary adjustments to simplify the CBAM. The European customs sector warns that, failing to do so, it will face an unsustainable situation that could have serious consequences for the European Union's trade and economy.