Total revision of the Customs Act clears first hurdle in the National Council
Published: Wednesday, Mar 6th 2024, 18:40
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One and a half years after the draft was published by the Federal Council, the National Council approved the total revision of the Customs Act on Wednesday - against the will of the left wing of the Council. The 490-page bill thus cleared the first hurdle. Now it's the Council of States' turn.
After a debate lasting almost eight hours, the upper chamber voted in favor of the bill by 120 votes to 62 with eight abstentions. A middle-class majority of the SVP, FDP and Center Party prevailed. The SP and Greens rejected the customs reform, while the GLP abstained in part.
Supporters of the major customs reform also made it clear during the debate that the deal was not perfect, to put it mildly. There was talk of "monstrosity", "monster bill" or "monster law" on various occasions. Some admitted that even after a long time they still did not understand the deal.
Commission spokesperson Markus Ritter (center/SG) let it slip that the discussion had also been very difficult in the run-up to the debate. "The whole business was already on its deathbed and was poorly prepared." Because the cantons could be brought back on board, a revival was possible.
"We won't win a legal beauty prize with this bill," said Karin Keller-Sutter, the Finance Minister responsible for customs. It is imperative that the Council of States goes back over the books.
Don't waste any more time
The bill is intended to simplify procedures and tariffs and implement digitization in the customs sector. It is also the framework law for the organization of customs following the merger of customs and border guards.
Controversial issues included the future powers of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (BAZG), the relationship with cantonal police sovereignty and data protection. Almost without exception, the left wing of the Council failed with numerous amendments, which is why it also rejected the law in the overall vote.
However, the majority did not want to delay the bill any longer. FDP spokesperson Daniela Schneeberger (BL) summed up the middle-class position in a nutshell. It was high time for a simplification of customs processes. "We have to cut off the old braids from the Customs Act of 1925."
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