In order to be able to freely move goods imported from beyond the EU, they need to be placed under a customs procedure entitled ‘Release for free circulation’. Once the formalities of the customs procedure are complete, the goods have the same status as an EU product and can circulate freely.
This customs procedure applies primarily to goods which are to remain in the EU permanently and enter economic circulation here. By default, it assumes that any import charges such as customs duties, import VAT, and special excise duties (if applicable) have been paid.
Before goods are released for free circulation, checks have to be carried out to ensure that they are not under any restrictions or prohibitions.
(beyond = ausserhalb customs procedure = Zollverfahren Release for free circulation = Freier Verkehr circulate freely = fließen ungehindert it applies primarly to = es bezieht sich vornehmlich auf.. remain = bleiben economic circulation = Wirtschaftskreislauf by default = im Regelfall assume = annehmen import charges = Einfuhrabgaben import VAT = Einfuhrumsatzsteuer special excise duties = besonderen Verbrauchsteuern released = freigegeben checks = Kontrolle ensure = sicher stellen restriction = Einschränkung prohibition = Verbot)