For companies doing business in Europe that means they have to have new electronic message (EDI/B2B) requirements in place by January 1, 2011. So the migration from paper to electronic messages and signatures must be completed by January 1, 2011.
Examples of excisable goods are beer, wine and intermediate products (for instance sherry and port), other products containing alcohol (for instance spirits), tobacco products (for instance cigarettes, cigars and pipe/cigarette tobacco) and mineral oil (for instance petrol, diesel oil and LPG)
How it works
Under EMCS, a movement of excise goods between two traders is monitored through every stage of the shipment using an electronic Administrative Document (e-AD) issued by the consignor. The e-AD must be validated by the EMCS of the Member State where it is originated. The e-AD is then transmitted electronically to the EMCS of the destination Member State, and it is forwarded to the consignee. When the goods are received, the consignee submits a report to all involved Member States and the consignor, acknowledging receipt and noting any anomalies in the shipment.
Opportunity for e-invoicing service providers
The new EMCS regulations in the European Union will simplify administration procedures and make it easier for companies to manage the movement of goods among various countries. However, the change from a paper-based system to an electronic real-time process poses many challenges for most companies. Looking at the core competences of current e-invoicing service providers, the EMCS regulation provides an extra opportunity.
Source: European Commission
