Printable Version EU agreement with Switzerland sets out mutually compatible security procedures

The European Union and Switzerland have signed an agreement which waives the obligation for companies to provide customs with advance electronic information for security purposes in bilateral trade between Switzerland and the EU. 

The main terms of the agreement, which entered into force on 1 July 2009, deal with Switzerland’s adoption of customs security requirements for trade with third countries that are equivalent to those applied by the EU.  A further important aspect of the new regime is the mutual recognition by the EU and Switzerland of their respective systems of risk analysis and management and of related procedures designed to facilitate the clearing and forwarding needs of reliable traders. 

The practical effect of the new regulations for FedEx customers shipping from a EU country to Switzerland means that they will no longer have to comply with the ECS2 safety and security requirements.  Additionally, ICS procedures will not be required for any shipments originating in Switzerland that are destined for or will transit through the EU.

Further information on this bilateral agreement can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/common/legislation/proposals/customs/index_en.htm 

Further information on the security aspects of the Customs Code can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/policy_issues/customs_security/index_en.htm