Na podlagi druge alinee prvega odstavka 107. člena in prvega odstavka 91. člena Ustave Republike Slovenije izdajam
U K A Z
O RAZGLASITVI ZAKONA O RATIFIKACIJI SPORAZUMA MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE
IN VLADO REPUBLIKE HRVAŠKE O MEDSEBOJNI POMOČI PRI CARINSKIH ZADEVAH
(BHRPCZ)
Razglašam Zakon o ratifikaciji Sporazuma med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Republike Hrvaške o medsebojni pomoči pri carinskih zadevah (BHRPCZ), ki ga je sprejel Državni zbor Republike Slovenije na seji 29. septembra 2006.
Št. 001-22-138/06
Ljubljana, dne 9. oktobra 2006
dr. Janez Drnovšek l.r.
Predsednik
Republike Slovenije
Z A K O N
O RATIFIKACIJI SPORAZUMA MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE
IN VLADO REPUBLIKE HRVAŠKE O MEDSEBOJNI POMOČI PRI CARINSKIH ZADEVAH (BHRPCZ)
1. člen
Ratificira se Sporazum med Vlado Republike Slovenije in Vlado Republike Hrvaške o medsebojni pomoči pri carinskih zadevah, podpisan 10. junija 2005 na Brionih.
2. člen
Sporazum se v slovenskem in angleškem jeziku glasi(*1):
S P O R A Z U M
MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE IN
VLADO REPUBLIKE HRVAŠKE O MEDSEBOJNI POMOČI PRI CARINSKIH ZADEVAH
Vlada Republike Slovenije in Vlada Republike Hrvaške, v nadaljevanju »pogodbenici«, sta se
glede na to, da so kršitve carinske zakonodaje škodljive za gospodarske, davčne in trgovinske interese njunih držav;
glede na pomembnost zagotavljanja pravilne odmere carin in drugih davkov na uvoz in izvoz blaga kot tudi pravilnega določanja vrednosti in porekla takega blaga;
ob priznavanju potrebe po mednarodnem sodelovanju pri zadevah, ki se nanašajo na izvajanje in uveljavljanje carinske zakonodaje;
v prepričanju, da je mogoče s sodelovanjem med njunimi carinskimi organi povečati učinkovitost ukrepov proti carinskim kršitvam;
ob upoštevanju Priporočila Sveta za carinsko sodelovanje o medsebojni upravni pomoči z dne 5. decembra 1953
dogovorili:
1. člen
Opredelitev pojmov
V tem sporazumu:
a) »carinska zakonodaja« pomeni zakone in predpise, ki jih uveljavljajo carinski organi pri uvozu, izvozu in tranzitu blaga, kot se nanašajo na carine, dajatve in drug nadzor v zvezi z gibanjem blaga čez državne meje;
b) »carine« pomenijo vse dajatve, davke, pristojbine in/ali druge dajatve, ki se odmerjajo in pobirajo na državnih območjih pogodbenic pri uporabi carinske zakonodaje, ne vključujejo pa pristojbin in dajatev, katerih znesek je omejen na približne stroške opravljenih storitev;
c) »organ prosilec« pomeni carinski organ, ki zaprosi za pomoč na podlagi tega sporazuma ali prejme tako pomoč;
d) »zaprošeni organ« pomeni carinski organ, ki prejme zaprosilo za pomoč na podlagi tega sporazuma ali da tako pomoč;
e) »kršitev« pomeni vsako kršitev carinske zakonodaje in vsak poskus kršitve take zakonodaje;
f) »carinski organ« pomeni v Republiki Sloveniji Ministrstvo za finance − Carinsko upravo Republike Slovenije in v Republiki Hrvaški Ministrstvo za finance − Carinsko upravo Republike Hrvaške (Ministarstvo financija − Carinska uprava Republike Hrvatske);
g) »osebni podatki« pomenijo vse podatke, ki se nanašajo na določenega ali določljivega posameznika.
2. člen
Področje uporabe sporazuma
1. Pogodbenici si medsebojno pomagata na način in pod pogoji, navedenimi v tem sporazumu, pri zagotavljanju pravilne uporabe carinske zakonodaje, predvsem s preprečevanjem, odkrivanjem in preiskovanjem kršitev te zakonodaje.
2. Vsa pomoč po tem sporazumu je dana v skladu z notranjim pravom zaprošene pogodbenice.
3. člen
Pomoč ob zaprosilu
1. Na zaprosilo organa prosilca mu zaprošeni organ priskrbi vse ustrezne podatke, ki mu omogočijo, da zagotovi pravilno uporabo carinske zakonodaje, med drugim tudi podatke o prevozu in pošiljkah blaga, razpolaganju in namembnem kraju, o njegovi vrednosti in poreklu ter podatke o storjenih ali načrtovanih dejanjih, s katerimi se krši ali bi se lahko kršila taka zakonodaja.
2. Na zaprosilo organa prosilca ga zaprošeni organ obvesti, ali je bilo blago, izvoženo z državnega območja ene od pogodbenic, uvoženo na državno območje druge pogodbenice v skladu s carinsko zakonodajo, in kadar je primerno, navede carinski postopek, uporabljen za blago.
3. Na zaprosilo organa prosilca zaprošeni organ sprejme potrebne ukrepe za zagotovitev nadzora nad:
a) določenimi fizičnimi ali pravnimi osebami, za katere se utemeljeno sumi, da kršijo ali so kršile carinsko zakonodajo na državnem območju pogodbenice prosilke;
b) kraji, kjer se blago skladišči na način, zaradi katerega je mogoče utemeljeno sumiti, da je namenjeno nezakonitemu uvozu na državno območje pogodbenice prosilke;
c) gibanjem blaga, za katero organ prosilec sporoči, da bi lahko povzročilo bistvene kršitve carinske zakonodaje na državnem območju pogodbenice prosilke;
d) prevoznimi sredstvi, za katera se utemeljeno sumi, da so bila, so ali bi lahko bila uporabljena pri kršenju carinske zakonodaje na državnem območju pogodbenice prosilke.
4. člen
Pomoč na lastno pobudo
Pogodbenici si v okviru svojih pristojnosti medsebojno pomagata, če menita, da je to potrebno za pravilno uporabo carinske zakonodaje, zlasti kadar prejmeta informacije, ki se nanašajo na:
– dejanja, s katerimi je bila, je ali bi lahko bila kršena ta zakonodaja in ki bi lahko zanimala drugo pogodbenico;
– nova sredstva ali načine, uporabljene pri kršenju te zakonodaje;
– blago, za katero se ve, da se z njim bistveno krši carinska zakonodaja na državnem območju druge pogodbenice;
– osebe, za katere se ve ali sumi, da kršijo carinsko zakonodajo, ki velja na državnem območju druge pogodbenice;
– prevozna sredstva in zabojnike, za katere se ve ali sumi, da so bili, so ali bi lahko bili uporabljeni pri kršenju carinske zakonodaje, ki velja na državnem območju druge pogodbenice.
5. člen
Strokovna pomoč
1. Pomoč, kot je predvidena po tem sporazumu, med drugim vključuje podatke o:
a) ukrepih, ki bi lahko bili koristni pri preprečevanju kršitev;
b) novih načinih, ki se uporabljajo pri kršitvah;
c) opažanjih in ugotovitvah, ki izhajajo iz uspešne uporabe novih pripomočkov in tehnik, in
d) novih tehnikah in izboljšanih načinih obravnave potnikov in tovora.
2. Če to ni v nasprotju z njunim notranjim pravom, si carinski organi pogodbenic prav tako prizadevajo za sodelovanje pri:
a) uvajanju, razvijanju ali izboljševanju posebnih programov usposabljanja za svoje osebje;
b) vzpostavljanju in vzdrževanju poti za medsebojno komuniciranje, da bi olajšali varno in hitro izmenjavo informacij;
c) pospeševanju medsebojnega učinkovitega usklajevanja, tudi z izmenjavo osebja, izvedencev in napotitvijo uradnikov za zvezo;
d) proučevanju in preizkušanju nove opreme ali postopkov;
e) poenostavljanju in usklajevanju svojih carinskih postopkov in
f) vseh drugih splošnih upravnih zadevah, pri katerih je občasno potrebno skupno ukrepanje.
6. člen
Pošiljanje/uradno obveščanje
Na zaprosilo organa prosilca sprejme zaprošeni organ v skladu s svojo zakonodajo vse potrebne ukrepe za:
– pošiljanje vseh dokumentov,
– obveščanje o vseh odločitvah,
ki se v okviru uporabe tega sporazuma nanašajo na naslovnika, ki prebiva ali ima svoj sedež na njegovem državnem območju. V tem primeru se uporablja tretji odstavek 7. člena.
7. člen
Oblika in vsebina zaprosil za pomoč
1. Zaprosila po tem sporazumu morajo biti pisna. Zaprosilu morajo biti priloženi dokumenti, potrebni za njegovo izpolnitev. V nujnih primerih se lahko sprejme ustno zaprosilo, ki pa ga je treba takoj pisno potrditi.
2. Zaprosila na podlagi prvega odstavka tega člena vsebujejo podatke o:
a) organu prosilcu, ki vlaga zaprosilo;
b) zaprošenem ukrepu;
c) predmetu zaprosila in razlogu zanj;
d) zakonih, predpisih in drugih pravnih podlagah v zvezi s tem;
e) kolikor je mogoče natančnih in celovitih navedbah o fizičnih ali pravnih osebah, na katere se zaprosilo nanaša;
f) povzetkih ustreznih dejstev, razen v primerih, predvidenih v 6. členu, in
g) povezavi med zaprošeno pomočjo in zadevo, na katero se nanaša.
3. Zaprosila je treba predložiti v uradnem jeziku zaprošenega organa, v angleškem jeziku ali jeziku, ki je sprejemljiv za zaprošeni organ.
4. Pomoč se zagotavlja z neposrednimi stiki med carinskimi organi.
Če carinski organ zaprošene pogodbenice ni pristojen organ za izpolnitev zaprosila, ga mora nemudoma poslati pristojnemu organu, ki v zvezi z njim ukrepa v skladu s svojimi zakonskimi pooblastili, ali pa organ prosilca obvesti o ustreznem postopku, po katerem se je treba pri takem zaprosilu ravnati.
5. Če zaprosilo ne ustreza predpisanim zahtevam, se lahko zahteva njegov popravek ali dopolnitev; lahko pa se odredijo previdnostni ukrepi.
8. člen
Izpolnitev zaprosil
1. Zaprošeni organ sprejme vse primerne ukrepe za izpolnitev zaprosila in bo po potrebi skušal zagotoviti vse uradne ali sodne ukrepe, potrebne za izpolnitev zaprosila.
2. Carinski organ ene pogodbenice na zaprosilo carinskega organa druge pogodbenice opravi vse potrebne preiskave, vključno z zaslišanjem izvedencev in prič ali oseb, osumljenih kršitev, in opravi preverjanja, preglede in poizvedbe o dejstvih v zvezi z zadevami iz tega sporazuma.
3. Na zaprosilo lahko zaprošeni organ v največji možni meri omogoči uradnim osebam organa prosilca navzočnost na državnem območju zaprošene pogodbenice, kadar njegove uradne osebe preiskujejo kršitve, ki zadevajo organ prosilca. Kadar so predstavniki ene od pogodbenic navzoči na državnem območju druge pogodbenice, morajo biti sposobni dokazati, da so tam uradno.
4. Organ prosilec je, če tako zahteva, obveščen o času in kraju ukrepanja na podlagi zaprosila, da se ukrepi uskladijo.
5. Uradne osebe organa prosilca, ki so pooblaščene za preiskave kršitev, lahko zaprosijo, da zaprošeni organ pregleda ustrezne knjige, registre in drugo dokumentacijo ali nosilce podatkov ter priskrbi njihove kopije ali da priskrbi vse informacije v zvezi s kršitvijo.
9. člen
Oblika sporočanja informacij
1. Zaprošeni organ sporoči izid poizvedb organu prosilcu v obliki dokumentov, overjenih kopij dokumentov, poročil in podobnega, po potrebi pa tudi ustno.
2. Dokumente iz prvega odstavka tega člena lahko nadomestijo računalniški podatki v kakršni koli obliki z enakim namenom; hkrati je treba dostaviti vse informacije, potrebne za razlago ali uporabo takih računalniških podatkov.
10. člen
Izjeme pri obveznosti zagotavljanja pomoči
1. Kadar zaprošena pogodbenica meni, da bi bili z izpolnitvijo zaprosila prizadeti njena suverenost, varnost, javni red ali drugi pomembni državni interesi ali bi bila kršena kaka gospodarska, poslovna ali poklicna skrivnost, lahko pomoč zavrne, jo zagotovi le delno ali jo zagotovi le, če so izpolnjeni določeni pogoji ali zahteve. Pomoč lahko prav tako zavrne, če zaprosilo vključuje devizne ali davčne predpise, ki se ne nanašajo na predpise o carinah.
2. Kadar organ prosilec prosi za pomoč, ki je sam ne bi mogel zagotoviti, če bi ga zanjo zaprosili, mora v svojem zaprosilu na to opozoriti. Zaprošeni organ se potem sam odloči, kako se bo odzval na tako zaprosilo.
3. Če se pomoč odreče ali zavrne, je treba o tej odločitvi in razlogih zanjo nemudoma uradno obvestiti organ prosilca.
11. člen
Obveznost spoštovanja zaupnosti
1. Vsaka informacija, sporočena v kakršni koli obliki po tem sporazumu, je zaupna. Mora se varovati kot uradna tajnost in je deležna enakega varstva po ustrezni zakonodaji, kot velja za enako vrsto informacij v pogodbenici, ki jo je prejela.
2. Osebni podatki se lahko pošljejo le, če je raven osebnega varstva, ki jo zagotavljata zakonodaji pogodbenic, enakovredna. Pogodbenici zagotovita vsaj raven varstva, ki temelji na načelih, določenih v prilogi k temu sporazumu.
12. člen
Uporaba informacij
1. Informacije, dokumenti in druga sporočila, prejeta v okviru medsebojne pomoči, se lahko uporabijo le za namene, določene v tem sporazumu, vključno z uporabo v sodnih in upravnih postopkih.
2. Organ prosilec brez predhodnega pisnega soglasja zaprošenega organa ne sme uporabljati dokazov ali informacij, pridobljenih po tem sporazumu, za drugačne namene, kot so navedeni v zaprosilu.
3. Kadar so po tem sporazumu izmenjani osebni podatki, carinski organi pogodbenic zagotovijo, da so uporabljeni le za namene, navedene v zaprosilu, in v skladu z vsemi pogoji, ki jih lahko postavi zaprošena pogodbenica.
4. Določbe prvega in drugega odstavka tega člena ne veljajo za informacije v zvezi s kršitvami, ki se nanašajo na mamila in psihotropne snovi. Take informacije se lahko sporočijo organom pogodbenice prosilke, ki so neposredno vključeni v boj proti nedovoljeni trgovini z mamili.
13. člen
Spisi, dokumenti in priče
1. Carinski organi pogodbenic na zaprosilo priskrbijo dokumentacijo v zvezi s prevozom in odpošiljanjem blaga z navedbo vrednosti, porekla, razpolaganja in namembnega kraja blaga.
2. Izvirniki spisov, dokumentov in drugega gradiva se lahko zahtevajo le, če kopije ne bi zadostovale. Na posebno zahtevo se kopije takih spisov, dokumentov in drugega gradiva ustrezno overijo.
3. Izvirnike spisov, dokumentov in drugega gradiva, ki so bili poslani organu prosilcu, je treba čim prej vrniti. To ne vpliva na pravice zaprošenega organa ali tretjih oseb, ki so s tem povezane. Na zahtevo je treba izvirnike, potrebne za razsojanje ali podobne namene, nemudoma vrniti.
4. Na zaprosilo carinskega organa pogodbenice carinski organ druge pogodbenice po lastnem preudarku pooblasti svoje uslužbence, če ti uslužbenci na to pristanejo, da nastopijo kot priče v sodnih ali upravnih postopkih na državnem območju pogodbenice prosilke in predložijo spise, dokumente in drugo gradivo ali njihove overjene kopije, ki so morda potrebne za postopek. V takem zaprosilu je treba natančno navesti čas, kraj in vrsto postopka in v kakšni vlogi uslužbenec priča.
14. člen
Stroški
1. Carinski organi pogodbenic se odpovejo vsem zahtevkom za povračilo stroškov, nastalih pri izvajanju tega sporazuma, razen stroškov za priče, honorarjev izvedencev in stroškov za tolmače, ki niso državni uslužbenci.
2. Če so ali bodo za izpolnitev zaprosila potrebni večji in izredni stroški, se carinski organi pogodbenic posvetujejo, da določijo pogoje, pod katerimi se zaprosilo izpolni, ter način kritja stroškov.
15. člen
Izvajanje sporazuma
1. Za izvajanje tega sporazuma so pooblaščeni carinski organi pogodbenic. Ti odločajo o vseh praktičnih ukrepih in dogovorih, potrebnih za njegovo uporabo, ob upoštevanju pravil o varstvu podatkov.
2. Po posvetovanju lahko carinski organi pogodbenic izdajo upravna navodila, potrebna za izvajanje tega sporazuma.
3. Carinski organi pogodbenic se lahko dogovorijo, da bodo njihove preiskovalne službe v neposrednih stikih.
16. člen
Začetek veljavnosti in odpoved
1. Ta sporazum se začasno uporablja od dneva podpisa in začne veljati prvi dan drugega meseca po datumu, ko se pogodbenici po diplomatski poti obvestita, da so bile izpolnjene vse notranjepravne zahteve za začetek njegove veljavnosti.
2. Carinski organi pogodbenic soglašajo, da se sestanejo zaradi pregleda sporazuma ali obravnave drugih carinskih zadev, ki bi lahko izhajale iz njihovega medsebojnega odnosa, na zaprosilo enega od carinskih organov ali po petih letih od datuma začetka veljavnosti sporazuma, razen če se med seboj pisno ne obvestijo, da tak pregled ni potreben.
3. Ta sporazum se sklene za nedoločen čas, razen če ga ena od pogodbenic pisno ne odpove po diplomatski poti. Ta sporazum preneha veljati šest mesecev po prejemu takega obvestila.
V POTRDITEV TEGA sta podpisana, ki sta ju ustrezno pooblastili njuni vladi, podpisala ta sporazum.
Sklenjeno na Brionih dne 10. junija 2005 v dveh izvirnikih, vsak v slovenskem, hrvaškem in angleškem jeziku, pri čemer so vsa tri besedila enako verodostojna. Pri razlikah v razlagi prevlada angleško besedilo.
Za Vlado
Republike Slovenije
Andrej Bajuk l.r.
Za Vlado
Republike Hrvaške
Ivan Šuker l.r.
PRILOGA K SPORAZUMU MED VLADO REPUBLIKE SLOVENIJE IN VLADO REPUBLIKE HRVAŠKE
O MEDSEBOJNI POMOČI PRI CARINSKIH ZADEVAH
O TEMELJNIH NAČELIH VARSTVA PODATKOV
1. Osebni podatki, ki se računalniško obdelujejo, morajo biti:
a) pridobljeni in obdelani pošteno in zakonito;
b) hranjeni za določene in zakonite namene in se ne smejo uporabljati
na način, nezdružljiv s temi nameni;
c) primerni, ustrezni in ne preobsežni glede na namene, za katere se
hranijo;
d) natančni, in če je potrebno, sproti dopolnjeni;
e) ohranjeni v obliki, ki dopušča prepoznavanje oseb, na katere se
podatki nanašajo, le tako dolgo, dokler je to potrebno za namen, za
katerega se ti podatki hranijo.
2. Osebni podatki, ki se nanašajo na zdravje ali spolno življenje, ne
smejo biti računalniško obdelani, razen če notranje pravo ne zagotavlja
ustreznega varstva. Enako velja za osebne podatke v zvezi s kazenskimi
obsodbami.
3. Sprejeti je treba ustrezne varnostne ukrepe za varstvo osebnih
podatkov, hranjenih v računalniških zbirkah podatkov, pred nepooblaščenim
uničenjem ali nenamerno izgubo ter tudi pred nepooblaščenim dostopom,
spreminjanjem ali razširjanjem.
4. Vsaki osebi se omogoči:
a) da ugotovi, ali obstaja računalniška zbirka osebnih podatkov, njene
glavne namene ter kdo je upravljavec zbirke podatkov in njegovo
običajno prebivališče ali sedež organa, ki nadzoruje zbirko;
b) da dobiva v razumnih presledkih in brez prevelike zamude ali
stroškov potrdila o tem, ali so osebni podatki, ki se nanašajo
nanjo, shranjeni v računalniški zbirki podatkov, in da ji take
podatke sporočijo v razumljivi obliki;
c) da, odvisno od primera, doseže popravek ali izbris takih podatkov,
če so bili obdelani v nasprotju z določbami notranjega prava, ob
upoštevanju temeljnih načel iz prvega in drugega odstavka te
priloge;
d) da ima na voljo pravna sredstva, če se zaprosilu za obvestilo ali,
odvisno od primera, sporočilo, popravek ali izbris iz pododstavkov
b) in c) tega odstavka ne ugodi.
5. Izjeme glede določb prvega, drugega in četrtega odstavka te priloge
niso dovoljene, razen v okviru omejitev, opredeljenih v naslednjih
pododstavkih.
Odstopanje od določb iz prvega, drugega in četrtega odstavka te priloge je
dovoljeno, če je to predvideno v zakonodaji pogodbenice in je to potreben
ukrep v demokratični družbi zaradi:
a) zaščite državne varnosti, javne varnosti, finančnih interesov države
ali zatiranja kaznivih dejanj;
b) varstva osebe, na katero se podatki nanašajo, ali pravic in
svoboščin drugih.
Zakon lahko določa omejitve pri uresničevanju pravic, določenih v
pododstavkih b), c) in d) četrtega odstavka te priloge, v zvezi z
računalniškimi zbirkami osebnih podatkov, ki se uporabljajo za statistične ali
znanstvenoraziskovalne namene, kadar očitno ni nikakršnega tveganja, da bi
bila kršena zasebnost oseb, na katere se podatki nanašajo.
6. Nobene določbe te priloge ni mogoče razlagati, kot da omejuje ali
drugače vpliva na možnost pogodbenice, da dodeli osebam, na katere se podatki
nanašajo, širše varstvo, kot je določeno v tej prilogi.
A G R E E M E N T
BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF
THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA AND
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC
OF CROATIA REGARDING MUTUAL ASSISTANCE IN CUSTOMS MATTERS
The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Croatia hereinafter referred to as the “Contracting Parties”;
Considering that the contraventions against Customs laws are prejudicial to the economic, fiscal and commercial interests of their respective countries;
Considering the importance of assuring the accurate assessment of Customs duties and other taxes on the importation and exportation of goods, as well as the accurate determination of the value and origin of such goods;
Recognizing the need for international cooperation in matters related to the administration and enforcement of the Customs laws;
Convinced that action against Customs contraventions can be made more effective by cooperation between their Customs Authorities;
Having regard to the Recommendation of the Customs Cooperation Council on Mutual Administrative Assistance of December 5, 1953;
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
Definitions
For the purposes of this Agreement:
a) “Customs legislation” shall mean laws and regulations enforced by the Customs Authorities concerning importation, exportation, and transit of goods, as they relate to Customs duties, charges, and other controls in respect of the movement of goods across national boundaries;
b) “Customs duties” shall mean all duties, taxes, fees or/and other charges which are levied and collected in the territories of the Contracting Parties, in application of customs legislation, but not including fees and charges which are limited in amount to the approximate costs of services rendered;
d) “Applicant Authority” shall mean the Customs Authority which makes a request for assistance pursuant to this Agreement or which receives such assistance;
d) “Requested Authority” shall mean the Customs Authority which receives a request for assistance pursuant to this Agreement or which renders such assistance;
e) “Contravention” shall mean any violation of the customs legislation as well as any attempted violation of such legislation;
f) “Customs Authority” shall mean in the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Finance – the Customs Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (Ministrstvo za finance ─ Carinska uprava Republike Slovenije) and in the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Finance – the Customs Directorate of the Republic of Croatia (Ministarstvo financija – Carinska uprava Republike Hrvatske).
g) “Personal data” shall mean all information relating to an identified or identifiable individual.
Article 2
Scope of the Agreement
1. The Contracting Parties shall assist each other, in the manner and under the conditions laid down in this Agreement, in ensuring that customs legislation is correctly applied, in particular by the prevention, detection and investigation of contraventions of this legislation.
2. All assistance rendered pursuant to this Agreement shall be rendered in accordance with the domestic law of the requested Contracting Party.
Article 3
Assistance on Request
2. At the request of the applicant Authority, the requested Authority shall furnish it with all relevant information to enable it to ensure that customs legislation is correctly applied, including inter alia, information regarding the transportation and shipment of goods, the disposition and destination of such goods as well as their value and origin as well as information regarding acts committed or planned which contravene or would contravene such legislation.
2. At the request of the applicant Authority, the requested Authority shall inform it whether goods exported from the territory of one of the Contracting Parties have been imported into the territory of the other Contracting Party in accordance with the customs legislation, specifying, where appropriate, the customs procedure applied to the goods.
3. At the request of the applicant Authority, the requested Authority shall take the necessary steps to ensure that a surveillance is kept on:
a) particular natural or legal persons of whom there are reasonable grounds for believing that they are contravening or have contravened customs legislation in the territory of the applicant Contracting Party;
b) places where goods are stored in a way that gives grounds for suspecting that they are intended to be illicitly imported into the territory of the applicant Contracting Party;
c) movement of goods notified by the applicant Authority as possibly giving rise to substantial contraventions of customs legislation in the territory of the applicant Contracting Party;
d) means of transport for which there are reasonable grounds for believing that they have been, are or may be used in the contravening of customs legislation in the territory of the applicant Contracting Party.
Article 4
Spontaneous Assistance
The Contracting Parties shall within their competences provide each other with assistance if they consider that to be necessary for the correct application of customs legislation, particularly when they obtain information pertaining to:
– acts which have contravened, contravene or would contravene such legislation and which may be of interest to the other Contracting Party;
– new means or methods employed in committing contraventions against such legislation;
– goods known to be the subject of substantial contraventions against the customs legislation in the territory of the other Contracting Party;
– particular persons known to be or suspected of committing contraventions against the legislation in force in the territory of the other Contracting Party;
– means of transport and containers, about which knowledge or suspicions exist that they were, are, or could be used in committing contraventions against the customs legislation in force in the territory of the other Contracting Party.
Article 5
Technical Assistance
1. Assistance, as provided for in this Agreement shall include inter alia information regarding:
a) enforcement actions that may be of use in the prevention of contraventions;
b) new methods used in committing contraventions;
c) observations and findings resulting from the successful application of new enforcement aids and techniques; and
d) new techniques and improved methods of processing passengers and cargo.
2. The Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties shall, if not contrary to their domestic law, also seek to cooperate in:
a) initiating, developing, or improving specific training programs for their personnel;
b) establishing and maintaining channels of communication between themselves in order to facilitate the secure and rapid exchange of information;
c) facilitating effective coordination between themselves, including the exchange of personnel, experts, and the posting of liaison officers;
d) the consideration and testing of new equipment or procedures;
e) the simplification and harmonization of their respective customs procedures; and
f) any other general administrative matters that may from time to time require their joint action.
Article 6
Delivery/Notification
At the request of the applicant Authority, the requested Authority shall in accordance with its legislation take all necessary measures in order
– to deliver all documents,
– to notify all decisions
falling within the scope of this Agreement to an addressee, residing or established in its territory. In such a case paragraph 3 of Article 7 shall apply.
Article 7
Form and Substance of Requests for Assistance
1. Requests pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in writing. Documents necessary for the execution of such requests shall accompany the request. When required because of the urgency of the situation, oral request may be accepted, but must be confirmed in writing immediately.
2. Requests pursuant to paragraph 1 of this Article shall include the following information:
a) the applicant Authority making the request;
b) the measure requested;
c) the object of and the reason for the request;
d) the laws, rules and other legal elements involved;
e) indications as exact and comprehensive as possible on the natural or legal persons, to which the request relates;
f) a summary of the relevant facts, except in cases provided for in Article 6; and
g) the connection between the assistance sought and the matter to which it relates.
3. Requests shall be submitted in an official language of the requested Authority, in English or in a language acceptable to that Authority.
4. Assistance shall be carried out by direct communication between the respective Customs Authorities.
In case the Customs Authority of the requested Contracting Party is not the appropriate agency to comply with a request, it shall promptly transmit the request to the appropriate agency, who shall act upon the request according to its powers under the law, or advise the applicant Authority of the appropriate procedure to be followed regarding such a request.
5. If a request does not meet the formal requirements, its correction or completion may be requested; the ordering of precautionary measures may, however, be undertaken.
Article 8
Execution of Requests
1. The requested Authority shall take all reasonable measures to execute the request, and if required, will endeavour to seek any official or judicial measure necessary to carry out the request.
2. The Customs Authority of one Contracting Party shall, upon the request of the Customs Authority of the other Contracting Party, conduct any necessary investigation, including the questioning of experts and witnesses or persons suspected of having committed a contravention, and undertake verifications, inspections, and fact-finding inquiries in connection with the matters referred to in this Agreement.
3. Upon request, the requested Authority may, to the fullest extent possible, allow officials of the applicant Authority to be present in the territory of the requested Contracting Party, when its officials are investigating contraventions which are of concern to the applicant Authority. When representatives of one of the Contracting Parties are present in the territory of the other Contracting Party they must be able to furnish proof of their official capacity.
4. The applicant Authority shall, if it so requests, be advised of the time and place of the action to be taken in response to the request so that the action may be coordinated.
5. Officials of the applicant Authority, authorized to investigate contraventions, may ask that the requested Authority examine relevant books, registers, and other documents or data media and supply copies thereof, or supply any information relating to the contravention.
Article 9
The Form in which Information is to be Communicated
1. The requested Authority shall communicate the results of enquiries to the applicant Authority in the form of documents, certified copies of documents, reports and the like and, when necessary, orally.
2. The documents provided for in paragraph 1 may be replaced by computerized information produced in any form for the same purpose, any information necessary for the interpretation or utilization of such computerized information shall be furnished along with it.
Article 10
Exceptions to the Obligation to Provide Assistance
1. In cases where the requested Contracting Party is of the opinion that compliance with a request would infringe upon its sovereignty, security, public policy, or other substantive national interest, or would violate an industrial, commercial or professional secret, assistance may be refused, provided partly, or compliance may be made subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions or requirements. Assistance may also be refused if the request involves currency or tax regulations other than regulations concerning customs duties.
2. Where the applicant Authority requests assistance which it would itself be unable to provide if so asked, it shall draw attention to the fact in its request. It shall then be for the requested Authority to decide how to respond to such a request.
3. If assistance is withheld or denied, the decision and the reasons therefore must be notified to the applicant Authority without delay.
Article 11
Obligation to Observe Confidentiality
1. Any information communicated in whatever form pursuant to this Agreement shall be of a confidential nature. It shall be covered by the obligation of official secrecy and shall enjoy the same protection extended under the relevant laws relating to the same kind of information applicable in the Contracting Party which received it.
2. Personal data may only be transmitted if the level of personal protection afforded by the legislation of the Contracting Parties is equivalent. The Contracting Parties shall ensure at least a level of protection based on the principles laid down in the Annex to this Agreement.
Article 12
Use of Information
2. Information, documents, and other communications received in the course of mutual assistance may only be used for the purposes specified in this Agreement, including the use in judicial and administrative proceedings.
2. The applicant Authority shall not use evidence or information obtained under this Agreement for purposes other than those stated in the request without the prior written consent of the requested Authority.
3. Where personal data is exchanged under this Agreement, the Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties shall ensure that it is used only for the purposes indicated in the request and according to any conditions that the requested Contracting Party may impose.
4. The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article are not applicable to information concerning contraventions relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Such information may be communicated to the authorities of the applicant Contracting Party which are directly involved in combatting illicit drug traffic.
Article 13
Files, Documents and Witnesses
1. The Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties shall, upon request, provide documentation relating to the transportation and shipment of goods, showing the value, origin, disposition, and destination of those goods.
2. Originals of files, documents, and other materials shall be requested only in cases where copies would be insufficient. Upon specific request, copies of such files, documents, and other materials shall be appropriately authenticated.
3. Originals of files, documents, and other materials which have been furnished to the applicant Authority shall be returned at the earliest opportunity. The rights of the requested Authority or of third parties relating thereto shall remain unaffected. Upon request, originals necessary for adjudicative or similar purposes shall be returned without delay.
4. Upon the request of the Customs Authority of one Contracting Party, the Customs Authority of the other Contracting Party shall, at its discretion, authorize its employees, if such employees consent to do so, to appear as witnesses in judicial or administrative proceedings in the territory of the applicant Contracting Party, and to produce such files, documents, and other materials, or authenticated copies thereof, as may be considered necessary for the proceedings. Such a request shall specify the time, place, and type of proceedings and in what capacity the employee shall testify.
Article 14
Costs
1. The Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties shall waive all claims for the reimbursement of costs incurred in the execution of this Agreement, with the exception of expenses for witnesses, fees of experts, and the costs of interpreters other than government employees.
2. If expenses of a substantial and extraordinary nature are, or will be required, in order to execute the request, the Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties shall consult to determine the terms and conditions under which the request shall be executed, as well as the manner in which the costs shall be borne.
Article 15
Implementation
1. The implementation of this Agreement shall be entrusted to the Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties. They shall decide on all practical measures and arrangements necessary for its application, taking into consideration rules in the field of data protection.
2. After consultation, the Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties may issue any administrative directives necessary for the implementation of this Agreement.
3. The Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties may arrange for their investigation services to be in direct communication with each other.
Article 16
Entry into Force and Denunciation
1. This Agreement shall apply provisionally from the date of its signing and shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Contracting Parties notify each other through diplomatic channels that all internal legal requirements for its entry into force have been fulfilled.
2. The Customs Authorities of the Contracting Parties agree to meet in order to review this Agreement or to discuss any other customs matters which may arise out of the relationship between them, upon the request of one of the Customs Authorities or at the end of five years from the date of its entry into force, unless they notify one another in writing that no such review is necessary.
3. This Agreement shall be concluded for an indefinite period of time, unless denunciated by one of the Contracting Parties in writing through diplomatic channels. This Agreement shall cease to be in force six months following the receipt of such notification.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective governments, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Brioni on 10 June 2005, in two originals, each in the Slovene, Croatian and English languages, all three texts being equally authentic. In case of any difference in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
For the Government of the
Republic of Slovenia
Andrej Bajuk (s)
For the Government of the
Republic of Croatia
Ivan Šuker (s)
ANNEX TO THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC
OF CROATIA REGARDING MUTUAL ASSISTANCE
IN CUSTOMS MATTERS, ON BASIC PRINCIPLES
OF DATA PROTECTION
1. Personal data undergoing automatic processing shall be:
a) obtained and processed fairly and lawfully;
b) stored for specified and legitimate purposes and not used in a way
incompatible with those purposes;
c) adequate, relevant and not excessive in relation to the purposes for
which they are stored;
d) accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date;
e) preserved in a form which permits identification of the data
subjects for no longer than is required for the purpose for which
those data are stored.
2. Personal data concerning health or sexual life, may not be processed
automatically unless domestic law provides appropriate safeguards. The same
shall apply to personal data relating to criminal convictions.
3. Appropriate security measures shall be taken for the protection of
personal data stored in automated data files against unauthorised destruction
or accidental loss as well as against unauthorised access, alteration or
dissemination.
4. Any person shall be enabled:
a) to establish the existence of an automated personal data file, its
main purposes, as well as the identity and habitual residence or
principal place of business of the relevant authority who is the
controller of the file;
b) to obtain at reasonable intervals and without excessive delay or
expense confirmation of whether personal data relating to him are
stored in the automated data file as well as communication to him of
such data in an intelligible form;
c) to obtain, as the case may be, rectification or erasure of such data
if they have been processed contrary to the provisions of domestic
law giving effect to the basic principles set out under paragraphs 1
and 2 of this Annex;
d) to have remedy if a request for communication or, as the case may
be, communication, rectification or erasure as referred to in
subparagraphs b and c of this paragraph is not complied with.
5. No exception to the provisions under paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of this
Annex shall be allowed except within the limits defined in the following
subparagraphs.
Derogation from the provisions under paragraphs 1, 2 and 4 of this Annex
shall be allowed when such derogation is provided for by the law of the
Contracting Party and constitutes a necessary measure in a democratic society
in the interest of:
a) protecting State security, public safety, the monetary interests of
the State or the suppression of criminal offences;
b) protecting the data subject or the rights and freedoms of others.
Restrictions on the exercise of the rights specified in paragraph 4,
subparagraphs b, c and d of this Annex, may be provided by law with respect to
automated personal data files used for statistics or for scientific research
purposes where there is obviously no risk of an infringement of the privacy of
the data subjects.
6. None of the provisions of this Annex shall be interpreted as limiting
or otherwise affecting the possibility for a Contracting Party to grant data
subjects a wider measure of protection than that stipulated in this Annex.
3. člen
Za izvajanje sporazuma skrbi Ministrstvo za finance – Carinska uprava Republike Slovenije.
4. člen
Ta zakon začne veljati petnajsti dan po objavi v Uradnem listu Republike Slovenije – Mednarodne pogodbe.
Št. 437-06/06-5/1
Ljubljana, dne 29. septembra 2006
EPA 973-IV
Predsednik
Državnega zbora
Republike Slovenije
France Cukjati, dr. med., l.r.
(*1) Besedilo sporazuma v hrvaškem jeziku je na vpogled v Sektorju za mednarodno pravo Ministrstva za zunanje zadeve.
