DUNKIRK CUSTOMS ECONOMIC ACTION UNIT (EAU): MISSIONS, OBJECTIVES, EXPERTISE WITH MR. KIMMEL, HEAD OF THE ECONOMIC ACTION/ASSISTANT TO THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMS IN DUNKIRK

Within the EAU, we offer a wide range of expertise from auditing services to business development assistance. We were also in charge of the preparation of the Brexit in connection with many services of the regional direction, of the continuous development of the CCRF control (Competition, Consumption and Repression of Fraud), the management poles in the customs offices (interlocutor of the companies for the daily operations to accompany and help). In terms of geographical competence, we handle the district of Dunkirk as well as the whole department of Pas-de-Calais.

Regarding the Dunkirk Regional customs department, the EAU's missions are complementary and are defined for :

• Supporting the economic development of the territory in terms of imports to enable a certain number of services to develop, and in terms of exports, to ensure that operators who wish to improve their sourcing can benefit from assistance with customs procedures, secure their supply chain and do it under better conditions (setting up a system to facilitate trade, putting them in touch with development aid organizations, etc.).
• Easing flow of goods

The role of customs is to facilitate the flow of goods for import and export, but also to verify their conformity: preventive action, inspection and optimization of the time it takes for goods to cross the border. Considering that control does not prevent fluidity.

• Assist operators to comply with regulation

The Economic Action Unit supports the prospecting carried out by the Port of Dunkirk concerning several markets in different countries, for example, the port of Dubai and Latin America, which are emerging possibilities. The aim is to accompany the operators. "Every operator is subject to screening: it is possible that the operator is not familiar with the regulations and that's when the EAP will intervene to provide assistance, instead of sanction" adds Jean-Baptiste KIMMEL.

The EAU has also recovered part of the missions of the Directorate General for Consumer Affairs, Competition and Fraud Enforcement (DGCCRF) on fruits and vegetables, including marketing standards (fair and marketable quality).

To facilitate trade with companies, there are several services such as FRANCE SESAME (digital platform to facilitate the monitoring and management of formalities and administrative controls related to the border crossing of sanitary and phytosanitary goods).
 

"The expertise of our services is recognized", explains Jean-Baptiste KIMMEL and "this recognition goes beyond Dunkirk, we must be ingenious in the face of market changes to continue to benefit from this trust".

The customs offices of Arras, Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk, work together to offer a quality service, the Business Consulting Unit does not hesitate to travel to meet companies.
 

THERE IS TALK OF AN EVOLUTION OF THE SAD (SINGLE ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENT), CAN YOU TELL US MORE?

The new Delta I/E system, which will soon be operational, will replace the current DELTA G and DELTA X customs clearance systems. The format of the SAD as we know it will evolve, the contours are still to be finalized and work is being done with some companies to determine what is most useful and appropriate.  The schedule is being validated for the first quarter of 2023.
 

WHAT IS THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE PORT OF DUNKIRK CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT?

In order to support the growth of the Port of Dunkerque, the State services are being reinforced in three areas:

Expansion of the SIVEP (Veterinary and Phytosanitary Inspection Service)

New SIVEP and customs buildings are planned for 2024, the aim being to bring the services closer together in order to strengthen the proximity with drivers, companies and customs declarations.
This evolution will depend on flows: authorizations, company projects and not a will of the administration.

Brexit has had an impact on our activities

Brexit has disrupted logistics in particular, for everything related to consolidation shipments. New reforms have yet to be implemented in the UK. In Dunkirk, Customs was challenged on general and operator-specific complexities. However, this was an opportunity to bounce back better when faced with similar situations.

As well as the Russo - Ukrainian conflict...

To respond to the concerns of companies about the evolution of their production, the EAU assists companies in their search for opportunities in other countries.

Visit of the Economic Action Unit of Dunkirk Customs - From left to right: Vincent BRUNET - Port of Dunkerque Business Manager, Sara AGBADO - working student in charge of Communication & Marketing at Bansard International, Jean-Baptiste KIMMEL - Head of the Economic Action Unit/Assistant to the Regional Director of Dunkirk Customs, Florence WAGNER - Dunkerque Customs Business Consulting Unit, Maxime BRUNET - Training student in charge of Communication & Marketing at BCS Customs, Nicolas MAUGER - Customs & Compliance Manager at BCS Customs, Charles MATHEY- Marketing & Communication Director at Bansard International

Bansard International teams would like to thank Jean-Baptiste KIMMEL and Florence WAGNER for answering our questions. Special mention to Vincent BRUNET, Port of Dunkirk Business Manager, without whom we would not have been able to visit the port and conduct these interviews!

Learn more about the Terminal des Flandres