ELAN: Electronic system for Agricultural Non-customs formalities
- Tariffs & quotas
- Trade
Summary
The European Commission is proposing to establish a new Electronic system for Agricultural Non-customs formalities (ELAN) that will allow authorities to process and store documents relating to agri-food trade, such as documents issued by non-EU authorities to secure tariff rate quota licences. ELAN will be part of the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). This new system aims to streamline cooperation between authorities.
EU to develop new electronic system for non-customs documents related to agri-food trade
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the electronic Union non-customs system for trade in agricultural products (‘ELAN’)
Update
The European Commission is proposing to establish a new Electronic system for Agricultural Non-customs formalities (ELAN) that will allow authorities to process and store documents relating to agri-food trade, such as documents issued by non-EU authorities to secure tariff rate quota licences. ELAN will be part of the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). This new system aims to streamline cooperation between authorities.
What is changing?
The European Commission is proposing to establish an Electronic Agricultural Non-customs formalities system (ELAN) that will support the management and storage of non-customs documents required in the trade of agri-food products. For non-EU countries, this concerns documentation including:
- documents issued to support imports to the EU under tariff rate quotas (referred to in Regulation 2020/761 and Regulation 2020/1988)
- authenticity certificates related to the export of Basmati rice (referred to in Regulation 2023/2834).
EU authorities will also use the ELAN system to issue and manage import licences.
Once the system is operational, non-EU authorities will either produce these documents directly in ELAN, or transmit them to ELAN from their national electronic systems. ELAN will automatically verify the validity of the documents.
Why?
The EU is systematically moving towards an electronic information exchange system linking all customs authorities and other relevant bodies in EU and non-EU countries. The new ELAN system will be interconnected with the EU Single Window Environment for Customs. See Proposal to reform the EU Customs Union.
Timeline
The draft Regulation foresees that from 17 January 2028, non-EU authorities must transmit all relevant documents using ELAN (those relating to tariff rate quotas, and Basmati rice authenticity certificates).
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
Non-EU authorities will need to ensure that they can use ELAN directly, or that their national system that stores and processes the non-customs documents for agri-food trade can be connected to it.
Recommended Actions
The EU’s Have your say consultation closed on 27 February 2025.
Non-EU authorities should follow the development of this proposal to understand how ELAN is incorporated into TRACES and how national systems can interact with it.
Background
The aim of ELAN is to support the implementation of some of the rules in Regulation 1308/2013. This Regulation establishes a common organisation of the markets for agricultural products (except for fishery and aquaculture products). Among other requirements, it sets out rules on import and export licences, import duties, tariff quotas, safeguards, and export refunds.
Resources
Regulation (EU) 1308/2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products
Sources
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 with regard to the electronic Union non-customs system for trade in agricultural products (‘ELAN’)
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
EU to develop new electronic system for non-customs documents related to agri-food trade
Draft Commission Implementing Regulation laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 with regard to the electronic Union non-customs system for trade in agricultural products (‘ELAN’)
What is changing and why?
The European Union (EU) is proposing a new Electronic system for Agricultural Non-customs formalities (ELAN) to improve the exchange of non-customs documents that are required for trade in certain agri-food products between EU and non-EU authorities. The proposed system will manage and store documents that support trade under tariff rate quotas, and authenticity certificates for Basmati rice.
Actions
The EU’s Have your say consultation closed on 27 February 2025.
Non-EU authorities should follow the development of this proposal to understand how ELAN is incorporated into TRACES and how national systems can interact with it.
Timeline
The draft Regulation foresees that from 17 January 2028, non-EU authorities must transmit all relevant documents using ELAN (those relating to tariff rate quotas, and Basmati rice authenticity certificates).
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.