What regulations apply to cross-border trade in goods?
February 24, 2024 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Anna Sontheimer
Dear Transport and Freight Law Attorney,
I am reaching out to you as the managing director of a medium-sized company in the international trade of goods, as I have encountered issues in cross-border transportation of goods. We regularly import goods from other EU countries and export our products to various countries in Europe. Recently, we have experienced difficulties with customs clearance, compliance with regulations, and the transportation of goods across borders.
The current situation is concerning to me, as delays in goods transportation are causing us to lose potential customers and incur additional costs through fines and storage fees. Furthermore, legal certainty regarding regulations and requirements in cross-border goods transportation is essential for me and my company to avoid legal consequences.
Therefore, I would like to ask you about the specific regulations and requirements that apply to cross-border goods transportation and how we can ensure that we comply with them correctly. Are there any specific contracts, documents, or certificates that we need? What are the options to make customs clearance and transportation more efficient and avoid problems? How can we optimize our processes to minimize legal risks and make our international trade of goods successful?
I look forward to your expert advice and support to improve our situation in cross-border goods transportation and ensure legal certainty.
Sincerely,
Konrad Schwaru
Dear Mr. Schwaru,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the problems in cross-border goods traffic that your company is facing. As a lawyer specializing in transport and freight law, I understand the complexity and challenges that companies like yours are dealing with.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that cross-border goods traffic within the EU is subject to certain regulations and requirements that must be adhered to in order to avoid legal consequences. One of the most important documents needed for international trade within the EU is the so-called EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification). This number is used for the unique identification of economic operators in customs traffic and is required for imports and exports.
Furthermore, you should ensure that you fill out all necessary customs documents correctly and completely to avoid delays in goods traffic. These include, among others, the commercial invoice, the delivery note, the proof of origin, and potentially other specific documents depending on the type of goods. It is advisable to familiarize yourself with the current customs tariffs and regulations to avoid problems with the import or export of goods.
To make customs clearance and transport more efficient, you may consider engaging a customs agent or freight forwarder to assist you with customs procedures and take care of the transportation of your goods. Customs agents are specialized service providers with the necessary expertise and experience to ensure smooth operations in goods traffic.
In addition, it is advisable to optimize internal processes and procedures in your company to minimize legal risks. Train your employees in handling the current regulations and ensure that all parties involved are informed about the applicable rules. Regular training sessions and further education can help prevent compliance violations and ensure legal certainty in the company.
I am available to analyze your individual situation in more detail and work with you to develop solutions to address your issues in cross-border goods traffic. Please do not hesitate to contact me for a detailed consultation.
Best regards,
Anna Sontheimer, Lawyer specializing in Transport and Freight Law
