The Commission has today adopted the Implementing Decision on the new Union Customs Code (UCC) Work Programme which replaces the one in force since 2019.

In response to the delays and recurrent requests for derogations by the Member States against the dates set in the 2019 version of the UCC Work Programme, the Commission produced an analysis and strategy that envisages a longer window for the implementation of certain UCC systems and distinguishes between their core and non-core elements.

The objective of this new strategy is to provide more flexibility to Member States, while maintaining the unchanged overall deadlines mandated by the UCC. This strategy is embedded in the revised UCC Work Programme now adopted and will also provide more clarity to the economic operators on the overall deployment planning.

The Commission will continue to work with Member States and closely monitor their progress towards full implementation of the IT projects. The annual reports required under Article 278a UCC will present the level of progress towards this goal.

The newly adopted UCC Work Programme is available in the Official Journal.