1 - The Modernised Customs Code ('MCC') came into force on 24 June 2008 and intends to pave the way for important changes to the existing customs legislation. Notwithstanding the entiy into force of the implementing provisions, based upon the original text of the MCC, the provisions of this Regulation should be applicable by 24 June 2013 at the latest. 2 - The proposal for establishing the MCC of the Commission was accompanied by an Impact Assessment produced and published in 2005. The 2005 Impact Assessment focused on four main policy options and their impact on business and customs administrations. 3 - At present, the Commission has adopted a proposal for the recast of the MCC, i.e. the Union Customs Code proposal ('UCC'), which should replace the MCC (and thus also a new date will be set for the legislation to become applicable). According to the Commission, this UCC proposal does not require a new Impact Assessment according to current rules. However, the Commission proposal will be the subject of deliberations by the Council and the European Parliament in the coming months. Therefore, the Commission is of the opinion that it would be wise to analyse and update the original Impact Assessment. 4 - The main objective of the study is to provide the Commission with information regarding the current validity of the 2005 Impact Assessment, including how the costs and benefits contained therein (in terms of customs compliance costs, return on investments, etc.) may have evolved over time, complemented by updated information. 5 - This study aims to provide: - an overview of the elements of the 2005 Impact Assessment that are still up to date; - an overview of the elements of the 2005 Impact Assessment that need to be updated, including a methodology to update them, a validated estimation of the updated figures; - a description of the elements to be included in a new full Impact Assessment that are missing in the current 2005 Impact Assessment. 6 - As the data validation exercise only includes a hmited number of stakeholders, it cannot be considered representative for the entire business community and all customs authorities. Most of the informat ion provided by the stakeholders does not consist in hard facts or reliable prognoses. This could not be achieved given the limited timeframe available to collect the answers. Nevertheless, the answers provide a confirmation of the appreciation of business stakeholders and customs authorities of the topics and facts dealt with in the questionnaire. 7 - Further, attention is given to the differences between the MCC and the UCC proposal. Although no major differences exist between both texts, article 5 (obligatory- use of electronic systems), procedures on temporary storage, changes in respect of other aspects such as centralised clearance, and the implementation deadline are altered. Due to the changes to align the text with the Lisbon Treaty, the Implementing Provisions will be split into two acts. The content of these acts is key for determining the impact of the UCC.
