Detection of illicit trade

Strengthening and improving beneficiaries’ (in particular, customs authorities’) technical capacity to detect suspicious movements and to carry out verifications of such movements, including by checking trucks, containers and (other types of) vehicles. This will be measured by the number of new features in IT systems or the number of verifications and ‘hits’ following the use of the new equipment.

To avoid any duplication in Union support, the UAFP targets its support at the acquisition of types of equipment: (a) that do not fall under the scope of the Customs Control Equipment Instrument (CCEI); or (b) for equipment for which the beneficiaries are authorities other than the authorities targeted by the CCEI. The Commission will consider potential overlap between the UAFP and other forms of Union support while evaluating the coherence and added value of a proposal for the protection of the financial interests of the Union.

Support the purchase and maintenance of equipment and IT tools to strengthen beneficiaries’ operational and technical capacity to detect smuggled and counterfeited goods, including cigarettes and tobacco, imported into the Union with the intention of evading Value Added Tax, customs duties and/or excise taxes. Specialised training to enable staff to operate these tools must be included as part of the action.