U.S. requests WTO panel to resolve EU Customs differences

U.S. requests WTO panel to resolve EU Customs differences    The Bush administration has asked the World Trade Organization to form a dispute settlement panel to hear its complaint about the lack of uniformity in the application of European Union customs regulations.
   “Many important aspects of customs administration in the EU are handled differently by different member state customs authorities, resulting in inconsistencies from country to country,” said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a statement Thursday.
   “Although the EU is a customs union, there is no single EU customs administration,” the USTR added. “Lack of uniformity, coupled with lack of procedures for prompt EU-wide review, can hinder U.S. exports, particularly for small to mid-size businesses.”
   The request for a WTO dispute settlement panel follows the Bush administration’s Sept. 21, 2004 request for consultations with the EU. Consultations between the United States and European Union were held in mid-November, but were unable to resolve the dispute, the USTR said.
   The Bush administration pointed out in its request for the WTO panel that WTO members are required to administer their customs laws in a “uniform, impartial and reasonable manner.” WTO members are also required to provide tribunals for prompt review and correction of administrative action relating to customs matters. “The United States considers that the EU fails to meet either of these requirements,” the USTR said.
   EU institutions, including the commission, the Court of Justice and the Parliament, have routinely noted the lack of uniformity in the administration of EU customs law.
   “By pressing this issue now, we hope to address this problem early in the EU’s process of dealing with the challenges of enlargement,” the USTR said.