The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has welcomed a new ruling by the Council of Ministers in Europe to simplify the rules governing customs operations throughout the EU.
The new law - the Community Customs Code - is expected to go into operation next year. It will mean that exporters will no longer have to engage with customs in the country they are exporting to.
The EU has also decided to introduce paper-free customs administration. EU member states are now required to establish paper-free electronic systems which are compatible EU-wide and which will allow for EU-wide exchanges of information and risk-analysis.
Minister Micheal Martin said the new system would cut costs for Irish exporters - 64 per cent of Irish exports are within the EU.
"As a Government we are determined to reduce the burden of red tape for Irish firms both at national and EU level. The reduction of the cost of bureaucracy was one of the key recommendations of the Small Business Forum and it is important that it is acted upon," said the Minister.
