BEIJING: The European Union and China have signed a Strategic Framework for Customs Cooperation for the years 2018-2020. The agreement was signed on June 2 by the EU’s Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Pierre Moscovici, and China’s Minister of Customs, Yu Guangzhou.
The document sets out the main objectives of mutual cooperation and assistance between the EU and China, along with the priorities for customs cooperation for the years ahead. Its priority areas of focus are protecting citizens and combating illegal trade through effective customs controls, speeding up the customs process, and reducing administrative burdens on legitimate trade. The agreement will also support cooperation on supply chain security, support reliable traders and the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and help in the fight against financial and environmental fraud. In addition, the agreement now covers e-commerce.
