MEPs call for end to T1 transit abuses
4th May 2021
BELGIUM: European MEPs have raised concerns with the Commission over the “abuse and misuse” of the T1 transit procedure and its contribution to the illegal trade in HFC refrigerants.
In a written question, Romanian MEP Cristian-Silviu Buşoi and Belgian counterpart Frédérique Ries have asked whether the T1 transit procedure will be reviewed as part of the revision of the F-gas regulation.
In its fight against the illegal trade, the refrigerant manufacturers’ group, the EFCTC, has previously highlighted abuses of the T1 transit procedure.
The T1 transit process is designed to facilitate the transportation of non-EU goods to its final destination, either in the EU or a non-EU member state. Using the customs transit procedure allows for the temporary suspension of duties, taxes and commercial policy measures that are applicable at import. This allows customs clearance formalities to take place at the point destination rather than at the point of entry into the customs territory.
The EFCTC claims that loopholes in this procedure have contributed to a total of 34MtCO2e – or approximately 15,000 tonnes of HFCs – being imported illegally from 2018 to 2019.
In their question to the European Commission, the MEPs ask whether it will consider making the HFC registry mandatory for consignees of T1 or by creating an F‑gas‑specific registry, as previously recommended by the EFCTC. They also seek support from the Commission for increased enforcement by customs authorities.
Related stories:
Call for customs changes to stop illegal refrigerant activity – 22 March 2021
EUROPE: The refrigerant manufacturers’ group, the EFCTC, has called for changes to European transit procedures in order to tackle the persistent problem of illegal HFC imports. Read more…
