Customs authorities shall be primarily responsible for the supervision of the Community’s international trade, thereby contributing to fair and open trade, to the implementation of the external aspects of the internal market, of the common trade policy and of the other common Community policies having a bearing on trade, and to overall supply chain security. Customs authorities shall put in place measures aimed, in particular, at the following:
protecting the financial interests of the Community and its Member States;
protecting the Community from unfair and illegal trade while supporting legitimate business activity;
ensuring the security and safety of the Community and its residents, and the protection of the environment, where appropriate in close cooperation with other authorities;
maintaining a proper balance between customs controls and facilitation of legitimate trade.