China and the EU signed three agreements in an attempt to step up customs cooperation at the 7th Joint Customs Cooperation Committee (JCCC).
The first is the China-EU Authorized Economic Operators Mutual Recognition Agreement. Under the agreement, the EU and China commit to recognizing each other’s certified safe traders.
The second agreement is a new Strategic Framework for Customs Cooperation for the 2014-2017, which defines priorities and objectives for China-EU collaboration in this field. Key areas of focus for the coming years will be trade facilitation, supply chain security and fighting counterfeit and illicit trade. An important new priority is a joint approach to tackling illegal waste shipments, thereby tackling an area of high concern for both sides and supporting important environmental objectives.
Another agreement is the China-EU IPR Customs Enforcement Action Plan 2014-2017, which aims to improve the clamp-down on counterfeit goods by intensifying EU-China cooperation, communication and coordination in this field.
