Reduction of the level of the comprehensive guarantee and guarantee waiver
Article 84
1. An authorisation to use a comprehensive guarantee with an amount reduced to 50 % of the reference amount shall be granted where the applicant demonstrates that he fulfils the following conditions: (a) the applicant maintains an accounting system which is consistent with the generally accepted accounting principles applied in the Member State where the accounts are held, allows audit-based customs control and maintains a historical record of data that provides an audit trail from the moment the data enters the file; (b) the applicant has an administrative organisation which corresponds to the type and size of business and which is suitable for the management of the flow of goods, and has internal controls capable of preventing, detecting and correcting errors and of preventing and detecting illegal or irregular transactions; (c) the applicant is not subject to bankruptcy proceedings; (d) during the last three years preceding the submission of the application, the applicant has fulfilled his financial obligations regarding payments of customs duties and all other duties, taxes or charges which are collected on or in connection with the import or export of goods; (e) the applicant demonstrates on the basis of the records and information available for the last three years preceding the submission of the application that he has sufficient financial standing to meet his obligations and fulfil his commitments having regard to the type and volume of the business activity, including having no negative net assets, unless where they can be covered; (f) the applicant can demonstrate having sufficient financial resources to meet his obligations, for the part of the reference amount not covered by the guarantee. 2. An authorisation to use a comprehensive guarantee with an amount reduced to 30 % of the reference amount shall be granted where the applicant demonstrates that he fulfils the following conditions: (a) the applicant maintains an accounting system which is consistent with the generally accepted accounting principles applied in the Member State where the accounts are held, allows audit-based customs control and maintains a historical record of data that provides an audit trail from the moment the data enters the file; (b) the applicant has an administrative organisation which corresponds to the type and size of business and which is suitable for the management of the flow of goods, and has internal controls capable of preventing, detecting and correcting errors and of preventing and detecting illegal or irregular transactions; (c) the applicant ensures that relevant employees are instructed to inform the customs authorities whenever compliance difficulties are discovered and establishes procedures for informing the customs authorities of such difficulties; (d) the applicant is not subject to bankruptcy proceedings; (e) during the last three years preceding the submission of the application, the applicant has fulfilled his financial obligations regarding payments of customs duties and all other duties, taxes or charges which are collected on or in connection with the import or export of goods; (f) the applicant demonstrates on the basis of the records and information available for the last three years preceding the submission of the application that he has sufficient financial standing to meet his obligations and fulfil his commitments having regard to the type and volume of the business activity, including having no negative net assets, unless where they can be covered; (g) the applicant can demonstrate having sufficient financial resources to meet his obligations, for the part of the reference amount not covered by the guarantee. 3. A guarantee waiver shall be granted where the applicant demonstrates that he fulfils the following requirements: (a) the applicant maintains an accounting system which is consistent with the generally accepted accounting principles applied in the Member State where the accounts are held, allows audit-based customs control and maintains a historical record of data that provides an audit trail from the moment the data enters the file; (b) the applicant allows the customs authority physical access to its accounting systems and, where applicable, to its commercial and transport records; (c) the applicant has a logistical system which identifies goods as Union or non-Union goods and indicates, where appropriate, their location; (d) the applicant has an administrative organisation which corresponds to the type and size of business and which is suitable for the management of the flow of goods, and has internal controls capable of preventing, detecting and correcting errors and of preventing and detecting illegal or irregular transactions; (e) where applicable, the applicant has satisfactory procedures in place for the handling of licences and authorisations granted in accordance with commercial policy measures or relating to trade in agricultural products; (f) the applicant has satisfactory procedures in place for the archiving of its records and information and for protection against the loss of information; (g) the applicant ensures that relevant employees are instructed to inform the customs authorities whenever compliance difficulties are discovered and establishes procedures for informing the customs authorities of such difficulties; (h) the applicant has appropriate security measures in place to protect the applicant's computer system from unauthorised intrusion and to secure the applicant's documentation; (i) the applicant is not subject to bankruptcy proceedings; (j) during the last three years preceding the submission of the application, the applicant has fulfilled his financial obligations regarding payments of customs duties and all other duties, taxes or charges which are collected on or in connection with the import or export of goods; (k) the applicant demonstrates on the basis of the records and information available for the last three years preceding the submission of the application that he has sufficient financial standing to meet his obligations and fulfil his commitments having regard to the type and volume of the business activity, including having no negative net assets, unless where they can be covered; (l) the applicant can demonstrate having sufficient financial resources to meet his obligations, for the part of the reference amount not covered by the guarantee. 4. Where the applicant has been established for less than three years, the requirement as referred to in paragraphs 1(d), 2(e) and 3(j) shall be checked on the basis of available records and information.