EU4Digital Facility has visited the Ukraine-Romania border in preparation for the upcoming eCustoms pilot between the two countries. EU4Digital experts visited the border crossing point (BCP) between Siret in Romania and Porubne in Ukraine on 30-31 May 2023.
The visit provided the opportunity for the EU4Digital experts to present the benefits of systematic data exchange and the Systematic Exchange of Electronic Data (SEED) solution used for these purposes, to train the customs officers and to suggest effective integration of the SEED application in the process of customs procedures regarding the movement of empty trucks.
Arturas Piliponis, EU4Digital Team Leader, opened the site visit by reminding participants that the European Union (EU) and non-EU countries are working together to make border crossing faster and safer, to facilitate trade, and implement better risk management procedures. “EU4Digital is implementing one of the most important activities to pilot data exchange in advance between the customs administrations of Ukraine and Romania,” he explained. “The pilot starts at one border crossing point – Porubne-Siret – and is using a limited data set – empty trucks. While observing the pilot and making conclusions, it is important to think of the bigger picture, which potentially could include other border crossing points, different types of cargo and extended data sets, and, most importantly, practices that could scale up the concept from a bilateral approach to a larger regional approach.”
The State Customs Service of Ukraine appreciated the efforts of EU4Digital Facility representatives, including technical experts of the SEED platform, who conducted practical training during the site visit.
“As a result of this event, employees of the Porubne-Siret customs post of Chernivtsi Customs were familiarised with the benefits and functionalities of the SEED application,” said Volodymir Maystruk, Deputy Director of International Cooperation Department, Head of the Multilateral Cooperation and European Integration Unit. He added that during the discussions between participating parties, important agreements and clarifications were reached on the organisation of the pilot project. “The preparatory training showed us that this pilot project, using the SEED platform, can be a good basis for further development of cooperation between the customs administrations of Ukraine and Romania, in the automatic exchange of customs information.”
Adrian Videanu, Head of Service for Customs Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, Romanian Customs Authority, said that Siret-Porubne is the largest border crossing point between Romania and Ukraine. The eCustoms pilot there “represents an important step in the process of modernisation of the Romanian Customs Authority by digitalising the customs processes in order to facilitate legitimate trade and to ensure the security and safety of Romanian citizens.” He continued that, after the completion of the operational phase of the project, “jointly with the Ukrainian customs administration, we will evaluate the results obtained to be able to extend this type of electronic exchange of customs data to the other customs offices of the common Romania-Ukraine border.”
“On behalf of the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) I congratulate EU4Digital and the Ukrainian and Romanian customs authorities, for the progress in the implementation of the eCustoms pilot,” said Dorel Fronea, EU Advisor to the State Customs Service of Ukraine. “This pilot project is an important step forward for improving the integrated border management system on the Ukrainian-Romanian border. Preliminary exchange of information is an important tool for improving trade facilitation, while security of the border remains a priority and has to be implemented on all the Ukrainian borders with EU Member States. EUAM will continue to coordinate and cooperate with EU4Digital and other EU and international stakeholders for the modernisation of the State Customs Service of Ukraine.”
Benefits of the site visit
The Siret-Porubne site visit offered several benefits for successful implementation of the eCustoms pilot. Firstly, it allowed the EU4Digital team to have first-hand experience of the current BCP customs infrastructure and standard control procedures. Secondly, by closely collaborating with customs officers from both sides, the EU4Digital team can ensure that the integration of the SEED application aligns with the specific requirements and challenges faced at this border crossing point.
The one-week eCustoms pilot will take place in the period 12-19 June 2023. Based on its observations at the BCP site, the EU4Digital team will propose tailored recommendations for optimising processes, organising the data exchange, enhancing the efficiency of custom controls, and facilitating seamless integration of the SEED application into customs operations. EU4Digital will closely monitor the progress of the SEED application piloting, analyse the results, and provide guidance regarding the required legal, organisational and technical adjustments needed for full scale implementation. This will include how to use this bilateral pilot to build a multilateral intervention in the future.
Background
The EU4Digital Facility Phase II eCustoms pilot is part of the eTrade thematic area and focuses on piloting mechanisms of data exchange between bordering customs administrations.
Prior to the Siret-Porubne BCP site visit, the pilot reached a key milestone in early May, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ukrainian and Romanian customs authorities. EU4Digital organised online sessions on 22-23 May for the representatives of the Romanian and Ukrainian customs authorities. These sessions ensured a comprehensive understanding of the key aspects of the eCustoms pilot, functionalities of the SEED application, and the importance of collaboration between the customs administrations of both countries.
Ultimately, the preparatory activities foster closer cooperation between Ukraine and Romania. EU4Digital will maintain close collaboration with both countries, providing support and guidance as they progress towards implementation of seamless data exchange and improved traffic at the border. By embracing digital transformation in customs procedures, EU4Digital contributes to the overall improvement of trade facilitation within the Eastern Partnership region.
Further information
- State Customs Service of Ukraine
- What is eCustoms and what are the benefits?
- EU – Systematic Electronic Exchange of Data
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