Recital 2

(2)External trade statistics are based on data obtained from customs declarations, as provided for in Council Regulation (EEC) No 2913/92 of 12 October 1992 establishing the Community Customs Code ⁴ (hereinafter referred to as the Customs Code). Progress in European integration and the resulting changes in customs clearance, including single authorisations for the use of the simplified declaration or the local clearance procedure, as well as centralised clearance, which will emanate from the current process of modernisation of the Customs Code as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 450/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008 laying down the Community Customs Code (Modernised Customs Code) ⁵ (hereinafter referred to as the Modernised Customs Code) warrant a number of changes. In particular, they make it necessary to adjust the way external trade statistics are compiled, to reconsider the concept of the importing or exporting Member State, and to define more precisely the data source for compiling Community statistics.