40th anniversary of Customs Union

The Customs Department yesterday joined EU member states in celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Customs Union (1968-2008).

Among the activities was the publication of a stamp to mark the anniversary and the distribution of publicity material about the Union to cruise passengers at the port.

A spokesman for the department said a Customs Museum that will form part of the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa will be opened in the coming weeks. A week of activities will also be organised in September to coincide with Customs Day.

The Customs Union was set up on July 1, 1968. At first it had six member countries. The Customs Union means that no Customs duties are imposed at internal frontiers of EU member states and that there are common tariffs and regulations on importation from outside the EU. Also, the concept of customs falls under a common definition.