Top-Level Seminar ‘EU Customs Law’ (in English)

During this 3-day seminar (in English) you and other top international customs specialists will discuss the customs implications of a wide range of topical issues, including the measures recently implemented across the EU and the recent Court of Justice case law.

You will be brought fully up-to-date with all the important developments in your field and can be assured of in-depth discussions with prestigious international speakers: Frank Heijmann, Jikke Biermasz, Claudia Buysing Damsté, Ilona van den Eijnde, Erik Vennekens, Prof. Walter de Wit, Edwin Vermulst, Dr. Martijn Schippers, Patricio Diaz Javier, Paulette Vanderschueren, Steven Verschuur and Prof. Johannes Schäffer. The seminar will be held from Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 June 2024.

Key Benefits

In-depth, interactive sessions
Intensive 3-day programme
Max. 25 participants
Bridging theory and practice
International networking

EFS is pleased to invite you and other top specialists from customs advisory services, legal practice, the judiciary, government bodies, customs authorities and academia to discuss the customs implications of a wide range of topical issues, including measures recently implemented or soon to be implemented across the EU, in an informal setting.

On the first day of the seminar, we will delve into the latest global free trade developments. Despite ubiquitous geopolitical tensions, the world is observing a continuous establishment of Free Trade Agreements. We will discuss the recent trends and bring you up to date with the prevalent issues revolving around Free Trade Agreements. Geopolitical stress also brings heightened attention to anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties. The employment of these duties is gaining popularity within the European Union, parallel to escalating disputes. The seminar will feature discussions on whether these duties are invoked prematurely and if shifting production is a viable alternative. We will also reflect on contemporary advancements in case laws and Commission practices. Additionally, the first day will encompass dialogues about the novel occurrences in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects. The implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and deforestation regulations have been activated, necessitating their incorporation in the supply chain. We will elaborate on the present circumstances and examine the practical and legal complications associated with these recent developments.

The second day will be allocated to dialogues on the recent customs valuation developments. The spotlight will be on critical and emergent matters such as undervaluation, the correlation with transfer pricing, the management of transfer pricing adjustments, and the dutiability of royalty payments. Additionally, we’ll broach the subject of export controls, a highly relevant topic given the geopolitical pressure stemming from conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine as well as trade disputes between the US and China. These issues have led to the enforcement of trade sanctions and the intensification of export control regulations. The sessions will constitute a blend of concise introductory presentations, punctuated by insights from panelists. Each panelist will provide a unique viewpoint, influenced by their background in litigation/consultancy, academia or business, on these pressing issues.

The concluding day of the seminar is reserved for explorations into the evolving energy directive. We’ll also turn our attention to the innovative proposals championed by the European Commission for the reform of the EU Customs Union. The final session ensures you are fully familiarized with the pertinent transformations in the Court of Justice case law. All sessions are designed to offer ample opportunity for in-depth discussions on each topic covered. As we wrap up the seminar, we’ll take time to collectively reflect on the matters discussed and draw broad conclusions.

If you are looking to update and expand your highly specialised knowledge and to network with other leading professionals, sign up now for the EFS top-level seminar on ‘EU Customs Law: Recent Developments and Outlook’ to be held at the Erasmus University Rotterdam on 19 – 21 June 2024.

For Whom

Programme

Day 1: Wednesday 19 June 2024

12.00 – 12.30 Arrival of participants at Erasmus University Rotterdam

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch at Erasmus Pavilion

13.30 – 13.45 Opening and welcome address
Prof. Dr. Walter de Wit and Dr. Martijn Schippers

13.45 – 14.45 Global FTA developments
Claudia Buysing Damsté

14.45 – 16.15 Recent anti-dumping and/or anti-subsidy proceedings
Edwin Vermulst and Steven Verschuur

16.15 – 16.30 Coffee and tea break

16.30 – 18.00 Supply chain related ESG
Dr. Martijn Schippers and Ilona van den Eijnde

18.00 End of programme and return to hotel

19.00 Departure to city centre and restaurant

19.30 Dinner at In den Rustwat, Rotterdam

Day 2: Thursday 20 June 2024

08.45 Participants arrive at lecture room

09.00 – 10.00 Topical customs valuation developments

Dr. Martijn Schippers and Paulette Vander Schueren

10.00 – 10.30 Coffee and tea break

10.30 – 12.30 Topical customs valuation developments
Dr. Martijn Schippers and Paulette Vander Schueren

12.30 – 13.30 Lunch at Erasmus Pavilion

13.30 – 14.30 Topical customs valuation developments
Dr. Martijn Schippers and Paulette Vander Schueren

14.30 – 14.45 Coffee and tea break

14.45 – 17.00 Sanctions and export controls
Erik Vennekes and Prof. Dr. Johannes Schäffer and Jikke Biermasz

17.00 End of programme and return to hotel

18.30 Dinner at Euromast

Day 3: Friday 21 June 2024

08.45 Participants arrive at lecture room

09.00 – 10.00 Energy directive developments
Prof. Dr. Walter de Wit

10.00 – 10.30 Coffee break

10.30 – 12.00 Proposal to reform the EU Customs Union
Frank Heijmann

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch at Erasmus Pavilion

13.00 – 15.00 Recent ECJ cases in customs and import-VAT matters and legislative UCC-developments
Patricio Diaz Gavier and Prof. Dr. Walter de Wit

15.00 – 15.30 Wrap up, closing remarks, conclusions and certificates awarded to participants

15.30 Meeting and drinks at Erasmus Paviljoen

Speakers

Programme Management

General Information

Dates and times

From Wednesday 19 June (12.00 hrs) to Friday 21 June (16.00 hrs) 2024

Venue

The seminar will be held at the Erasmus University Rotterdam campus, Woudestein.

EFS, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Bayle Building, J5-29
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50
3062 PA Rotterdam
The Netherlands

Accommodation

EFS can arrange hotel accommodations for you. EFS has made arrangements with the hotel located right next to the Erasmus University. Part of that arrangement is a reduction on the room rate. If you wish to make use of this possibility please indicate this on the course registration form. EFS will then increase the course price by the cost of the hotel accommodation. Due to the agreements EFS has made with Novotel, the hotel costs are also due if the reservation for the hotel accommodation is cancelled within one month before the start of the course. If registration for hotel accommodation is made within one month before the course, EFS and Novotel cannot guarantee that a hotel room is available and a different (higher) room rate may apply. We further to our general terms and conditions which apply to hotel accommodation arranged by EFS for the course participant.

The amounts for hotel accommodation are as follows, per night: € 200,-. (Wednesday to Friday).

Fee

€ 2,750 (including all seminar materials and meals).

Language

The seminar will be in English.

Target Group

EFS looks forward to welcoming experienced indirect tax specialists who want to discuss recent and future developments in customs and to network with peers from the following backgrounds:

customs advisory services (senior managers, directors and partners)
multinationals (senior customs managers and heads of customs)
legal practice (associates and partners)
judicial authorities (judges in customs at courts of first instance or higher/supreme courts)
government bodies (senior policy advisors and heads)
customs authorities (heads of customs)
academia (PhD researchers and assistant, associate and full professors).

Group size

As the group will comprise a maximum of 25 participants, you can be assured of optimal and active participation.

Disclaimer

EFS reserves the right to change the policy, programme, fees and any other items referred to in this brochure.

Accreditation / Continuing professional development

The programme is accredited and you will therefore be eligible for continuing professional development (‘Permanent Education’) points in line with the rules applied by your own professional organisation. This programme comprises 16 hours of tax-related study, based on the professional development required by the Dutch Association of Tax Advisers. You can find more information about this on the EFS website and on the website of your professional organisation.

Certificate

All participants will receive a certificate of attendance issued by EFS, Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Contact / To apply

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Martijn Schippers
Programme Coordinator, Top-Level Seminar EU Customs Law
schippers@law.eur.nl
+31 (0)6 29 08 41 86