Dear Reader,

This editorial is written in São Paulo, Brazil, as the editorial board of the journal is international. Moreover, bimonthly online meetings of authors of the articles take place - we exchange views on customs topics and build new international contacts. The next meeting takes place on 16.12.2020 and will be a special one – everyone is invited to attend. Do not miss the opportunity to meet authors of the books on Customs subject! Learn more about the event here.

With great interest, I read the articles of this issue of the CCRM journal, comparing EU law and practices with the ones in Brazil. For instance, there are articles on customs valuation “New version of European Commission‘s Guidance on Customs Valuation – an overview of changes” by Jovita Mikšienė, Lithuanian Customs Department and “Free of charge software and customs valuation” by Monika Bielskienė, law firm WALLESS.

Compliance each year has an increasingly important role on the global stage. I would like to highlight the phrase from the article “How Technology Assists Ongoing Customs Compliance” by Anne Sexton, QAD Precision: "As a result, what is perfectly legal one day, maybe prohibited the next.", which is perfectly applicable to Brazil.

As the Brexit transition period is ending, I cannot miss to draw attention to the excellent coverage of Dr. David Savage in the "Brexit Diary", which highlights that little progress has been made, especially on the points of disagreement. In an article in the Guardian newspaper, it was reported that the UK car industry estimates that failure to agree on a trade deal with the EU would cost £55 billion within 5 years…

In Brazil we are waiting for the arrival of the second wave of Covid, which is already showing signs that it may be close, the lockdown is expected in the nearest days. On the other hand, there is also the positive side of the situation - the technological progress. An example: in the future, the physical checking of goods by customs might become totally remote, through cameras. This would be also a part of the work done implementing the Trade Facilitation Agreement in Brazil.

Fique saudável e aproveite a leitura do jornal!

Roberto Raya da Silva
Member of the Editorial Board

EU law news: November 2020