IBCI hosts the meeting of DG TAXUD

The Working Group, which includes responsible members of the staff of the European Commission, representatives of several European universities, Academy of Customs, as well as business associations, was formed earlier this year with the aim to consider the need of creating a common customs speciality university study programme for all EU Member States.
The European Union (EU) countries share a common external border, a common customs legislation (the Community Customs Code), the EU is introducing common customs information systems focusing on effective fight against smuggling, enhancement of customs operations efficiency, promotion of international trade, speeding up border crossing, supply chain management.  A common EU-level academic programme establishment could contribute to the solution of the above mentioned issues. These study programmes would be based on the World Customs Organization (WCO) professional standards, approved by the 174 WCO member states at the WCO Council meeting in 2009.
Latvia is the only EU Member State that during the last 17 years has developed a three level higher education system in customs and taxation (first-level professional higher education, Bachelor and Master's degree).  In 2010 the RTU IBCI professional Bachelor and Master’s programmes “Customs and Tax Administration” as the first in the world were found in compliance with the World Customs Organization professional standards. Currently the RTU professional Bachelor's programme is the only study programme in the EU that has been recognized by the WCO.
Given the Latvian experience in establishing Customs officers’ education and qualification system, RTU representatives were included in the Working Group of the European Commission.
The Working Group in Riga is planning to prepare recommendations for further development of customs education in the EU Member States and submit them to the Strategy and Policy Group (SPG) of the European Commission.