Standardization of competencies and qualifications of customs representatives of the EU Member States

Abstract

The object of the analysis being made in the scientific paper was the process of customs representatives’ professional standards creation within the EU Member States in connection with the entry into force of the package of the EU Customs Code on May 1, 2016. Developed by the International Federation of Customs Brokers and Customs Representatives (further – CONFIAD), in order to unify the standards of services provided by customs brokers, the European Customs Brokers Code of Conduct and the Charter of Quality were not included in the package of the EU Customs Code. Therefore the author discusses whether the mentioned documents will harmonize the customs standards within the EU, because they do not replace the codes of professional conduct existing in the individual countries, or codes of ethics having been adapted by national Customs authorities, associations or organizations of customs brokers. When analyzing the quality standards contained in the Charter of Quality, these standards turn out to be an exact copy of the European Customs Brokers Code of Conduct. Thus the author asks a question why the Charter of Quality has been created if it does not bring anything new and does not establish any standards for determining or improving the quality of customs services. The question whether the standards contained in the European Customs Code ensure a high level of professional competencies of customs representatives remains open. The author argues that the quality of customs services can not be determined by implementing the standards of the Code of Conduct as well as the Charter of Quality in the executive rules, since it is not justified both from the point of view of determining the quality of those services and from the point of view of customs rules. The author concludes that the EU has a clear and unambiguous policy with regard to customs representatives.