05 December
2024
A three-day visit of the delegation of the State Customs Service of Ukraine and the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine to Poland took place with the aim of getting acquainted with the technical and functional IT architecture of the customs systems of the Republic of Poland, as well as exchanging experience on the harmonization of customs legislation in accordance with EU standards.
Three key topics were in the center of attention: the development of a new Customs Code based on the EU Customs Code, the practical implementation of Law No. 3977-IX of September 17, 2024 "On Amendments to the Customs Code of Ukraine on Features of Service in Customs Authorities and Certification of Customs Service Officials » and further development of IT systems of the State Customs Service of Ukraine.
In particular, the next steps in the development of the new Customs Code of Ukraine, the process of which officially began in the spring of 2024, were discussed. The Polish delegation emphasized the importance of building trust among business and society before any changes in the customs sphere, involving the business community in discussions of new provisions of the Customs Code, and strengthening partnership relations between customs authorities and the private sector.
The Polish side also talked about its own way of transition to the new IT system. Functional and technical IT architecture of customs systems of Poland was presented to the Ukrainian delegation. Polish colleagues also shared their reasons for outsourcing the development of IT systems and views on managing this process.
Ukrainian customs officials told their colleagues about the new national IT systems developed in 2024, such as the System for working with decisions of customs authorities and the Centralized customs clearance system. They also informed about the further development of IT systems of the State Customs Service of Ukraine in accordance with the Strategic Digitalization Plan for 2024-2026. In particular, it was about work on the introduction of an updated version of the NCTS Phase 6 joint transit system.
"European integration is our key priority. The European Commission has already noted Ukraine's significant progress in the adaptation of customs legislation and the development by customs of IT systems necessary for joining the EU. The Strategic Digitalization Plan of the State Customs Service, approved in February 2024, foresees clear measures for the implementation of IT solutions for the further digitalization of the customs sphere in Ukraine. The gradual development and adaptation of the national customs IT infrastructure is predicted to allow us to ensure interoperability with the customs IT system of the European Union. Therefore, we positively assess the prospect of our legislative and technical readiness to perform new tasks common to the entire EU Customs Union," said Oleg Nikolaychuk, Deputy Head of the State Customs Service for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitalization.
"Implementation of international customs IT systems requires significant time, human and financial resources.That is why the possibility of studying the Polish experience regarding the harmonization of national customs legislation in the process of preparing for EU accession cannot be overestimated. Digitization of Ukrainian customs is a guarantee of transparency of customs procedures, their convenience and comprehensibility for business and, as a result, the development of the economy and strengthening of security, which is extremely important in the conditions of Russia's long-term armed aggression in the center of Europe. The national revenue strategy provides for the transformation of Ukrainian customs into the eastern customs border of the EU," said Oleksandr Grubiyan, Deputy Minister of Finance for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization.
The parties agreed to continue the discussion of these topics at future working meetings, focusing on the further harmonization of customs legislation and IT systems of Ukraine with EU standards, as well as ensuring the successful implementation of current reforms.
The visit was organized within the framework of the EU Program to Support Public Finance Management in Ukraine (EU4PFM).
"EU4PFM continues to organize such visits, the purpose of which is to provide an opportunity for countries that have already passed the process of adaptation to EU standards to share their practical experience with Ukraine. Joint discussions will make it possible to improve the management of the process of harmonization of customs legislation of Ukraine with the EU," said the head of the EU4PFM team Yurgita Domeikienye.