Decreto

Decreto n.º 25/95

Aprova o Acordo entre a República Portuguesa e os Estados Unidos da América Relativo à Assistência Mútua entre os Respectivos Serviços Aduaneiros

Artigo 1.º

Definições

Para efeitos do presente Acordo:

1) Entende-se por «leis aduaneiras» as leis e regulamentos aplicados pelos serviços aduaneiros relativos à importação, exportação e trânsito de mercadorias, quer digam respeito aos direitos aduaneiros, imposições e outras taxas, quer às proibições, restrições e outros controlos semelhantes respeitantes à circulação de mercadorias e de outros artigos sujeitos a controlo nas fronteiras nacionais;

2) Entende-se por «administrações aduaneiras ou serviços» na República Portuguesa a Direcção-Geral das Alfândegas, Ministério das Finanças, e nos Estados Unidos da América o Serviço Aduaneiro dos Estados Unidos da América, Departamento do Tesouro;

3) As «medidas provisórias» incluem:

a)A «apreensão» ou «congelamento», que significa proibir temporariamente a transferência, conversão, disposição ou movimentação dos bens ou assumir temporariamente a guarda ou o controlo dos bens ao abrigo de uma decisão do tribunal ou autoridade competente; e
b)A «perda», que inclui a declaração de perdimento a favor do Estado ou o confisco, quando aplicáveis, e significa a privação dos bens por decisão do tribunal ou de outra autoridade competente segundo a lei interna da Parte que aplique esta medida;
4) Entende-se por «infracção aduaneira» qualquer violação das leis aduaneiras, assim como qualquer tentativa de violação dessas leis;
5) Entende-se por «bens» os haveres de qualquer espécie quer sejam corpóreos ou incorpóreos, móveis ou imóveis, tangíveis ou intangíveis, e os documentos legais ou instrumentos que provem a posse ou o interesse nesses haveres.

Artigo 2.º

Âmbito da assistência

1 -As Partes acordam em prestar assistência entre si através dos seus respectivos serviços aduaneiros para prevenir, investigar e reprimir qualquer infracção aduaneira em conformidade com as disposições do presente Acordo. A assistência prevista neste Acordo regular-se-á pela lei interna de cada Parte.
2 -A assistência, tal como consta deste Acordo, incluirá, se solicitada, a informação adequada para assegurar a aplicação das leis aduaneiras e a exacta determinação dos direitos aduaneiros e outras taxas por parte das administrações aduaneiras. Essas informações deverão incluir mas não se limitarão a:
1. a)Acções de luta contra a fraude que possam ser úteis na supressão das infracções aduaneiras e, em particular, os meios especiais para as combater;
2. b)Novos métodos utilizados na prática de infracções aduaneiras;
3. c)Observações e constatações resultantes da aplicação, com êxito, de novas técnicas e apoios na luta contra a fraude;
4. d)Técnicas e métodos aperfeiçoados no tratamento de passageiros e carga.
3 -As Partes acordam, em conformidade com as suas leis internas, em prestar assistência entre si nos processos que envolvam a utilização de medidas provisórias visando os bens, lucros e meios envolvidos na prática de infracções aduaneiras.
4 -A assistência tal como descrita nos n.os 1, 2 e 3 será prestada em todos os processos judiciais, administrativos ou de investigação e deverá incluir, mas sem a eles estar limitada, processos sobre classificação, valor e outras características pertinentes para a aplicação das leis aduaneiras e processos que envolvam multas, penalizações e indemnizações por perdas e danos.
5 -Se não for contrário às suas leis internas, as Partes deverão procurar cooperar no sentido de:
1. a)Iniciarem, desenvolverem ou aperfeiçoarem programas de formação específica do seu pessoal;
2. b)Estabelecerem e manterem canais de comunicação entre as suas administrações para facilitar a rápida e segura troca de informações;
3. c)Facilitarem a coordenação eficaz entre as suas administrações, incluindo a permuta de pessoal, peritos e a nomeação de oficiais de ligação;
4. d)Examinarem e testarem novos equipamentos e procedimentos; e
5. e)Apreciar quaisquer outras matérias de natureza administrativa geral que ocasionalmente justifiquem uma acção conjunta.
6 -Quando, em conformidade com o artigo 5.º, a Parte requerente puder actuar no território da Parte requerida, tais acções estarão sujeitas às leis desta última.
7 -Este Acordo pretende reforçar e complementar as práticas de assistência mútua actualmente em vigor entre as Partes. Nenhuma disposição contida neste Acordo pode ser interpretada de forma a limitar acordos e práticas relacionados com a assistência mútua e a cooperação que já se encontrem em vigor entre as Partes.

Artigo 3.º

Sigilo da informação e documentos

1 -As informações, documentos e outras comunicações recebidas no decurso de uma acção de assistência mútua só podem ser utilizados por cada uma das Partes para os efeitos especificados no presente Acordo, incluindo a sua utilização em processos judiciais ou administrativos. Essas informações, documentos e outras comunicações só podem ser utilizados para outros fins quando a Parte que os fornece tiver expressamente consentido.
2 -As investigações, informações, documentos e outras comunicações recebidos por qualquer das Partes deverão ser tratados de modo confidencial, a pedido de quem as presta. As razões desse pedido deverão ser fundamentadas.
3 -Quaisquer informações, documentos ou outras comunicações obtidos ou comunicados ao abrigo deste Acordo serão objecto, no país que os recebe, da mesma protecção no que respeita ao sigilo e segredo oficial que se aplicam nesses país ao mesmo tipo de informações, documentos ou outras comunicações obtidos no seu próprio território.

Artigo 4.º

Comunicação de pedidos

1 -Forma e conteúdo dos pedidos de assistência:
1. a)Os pedidos deverão, em conformidade com o presente Acordo, ser efectuados por escrito. Esses pedidos deverão ser acompanhados pelos documentos necessários à sua execução. Os pedidos solicitados verbalmente devido à urgência da situação podem também ser aceites, mas deverão, de imediato, ser confirmados por escrito;
2. b)Os pedidos efectuados em conformidade com a alínea a) deverão incluir as seguintes informações:
  1. I)A autoridade que efectua o pedido;
  2. II)A natureza do processo;
  3. III)O objecto e a razão do pedido;
  4. IV)Os nomes e domicílios das Partes envolvidas no processo, se forem conhecidos; e
  5. V)Uma breve descrição do assunto em consideração e dos elementos legais envolvidos.
2 -Canal de comunicação:
1. a)A assistência deverá ser efectuada por comunicação directa entre os funcionários nomeados pelos dirigentes dos respectivos serviços aduaneiros;
2. b)Se o serviço aduaneiro da Parte requerida não for o departamento competente para dar cumprimento a um pedido, transmitirá imediatamente esse pedido ao departamento apropriado e informará disso a Parte requerente.

Artigo 5.º

Execução de pedidos

1 -O serviço aduaneiro a quem o pedido foi dirigido deverá tomar todas as medidas adequadas para o executar e, se tal for necessário, diligenciar no sentido de obter as medidas oficiais ou judiciais necessárias para a sua execução.
2 -O serviço aduaneiro de qualquer das Partes, a pedido do serviço aduaneiro da outra Parte, deverá conduzir ou permitir que a Parte requerente conduza qualquer investigação necessária, incluindo o interrogatório de pessoas suspeitas de terem cometido uma infracção aduaneira, assim como de peritos e testemunhas.
3 -O serviço aduaneiro de qualquer das Partes deverá, a pedido do serviço aduaneiro da outra Parte, efectuar ou permitir que a Parte requerente efectue verificações, inspecções e inquéritos relativamente às questões referidas no presente Acordo.
4 -A Parte requerida deverá, a pedido e na medida do possível, autorizar os funcionários da Parte requerente a visitarem o seu território para participarem nas investigações, ou no relatório oficial, de uma infracção aduaneira que diga respeito à referida Parte.
5 -Se uma das Partes pedir que seja adoptado um determinado procedimento, este deverá estar em conformidade e sujeito às leis internas da Parte requerida.
6 -A Parte requerente deverá ser informada, se assim o solicitar, da hora e do local da acção que irá ser efectuada em atenção ao pedido para que essa acção possa ser coordenada.

Artigo 6.º

Dispensa de assistência

1 -Nos casos em que a Parte solicitada considerar que o cumprimento de um pedido iria violar a sua soberania, segurança, política oficial ou outros interesses essenciais nacionais, a assistência pode ser recusada ou ainda ficar sujeita ao cumprimento de certas condições ou exigências.
2 -Na eventualidade de o pedido não poder ser cumprido, a Parte requerente deverá ser imediatamente informada do facto e ser-lhe-á entregue uma declaração contendo as razões e as circunstâncias que possam ter importância para o posterior prosseguimento do assunto.
3 -A assistência poderá ser diferida pela Parte requerida com o fundamento de que irá interferir numa investigação, acção penal ou procedimento judicial em curso. Neste caso, a Parte requerente deverá ser consultada pela Parte requerida para decidirem se a assistência pode ser prestada nos termos e condições exigidos por esta última.

Artigo 7.º

Documentos, outros elementos e testemunhas

1 -Os serviços aduaneiros das Partes deverão, a pedido, fornecer documentação relativa ao transporte e remessa de mercadorias de onde conste o valor, disposição e destino dessas mercadorias.
2 -Os originais dos documentos e outros elementos só deverão ser pedidos nos casos em que as cópias não sejam suficientes. Se houver um pedido específico, as cópias desses documentos e outros elementos deverão ser devidamente autenticadas.
3 -Os originais dos documentos e outros elementos que tenham sido enviados deverão ser devolvidos na primeira oportunidade; os direitos da Parte requerida ou de terceiras partes envolvidas não devem ser afectados.
4 -O serviço aduaneiro de uma das Partes, a pedido do serviços aduaneiro da outra Parte, deverá autorizar os seus funcionários a comparecer como testemunhas em processos judiciais ou administrativos no território da outra Parte e a apresentar documentos ou outros elementos ou cópias autenticadas dos mesmos, quando for considerado essencial para o processo.
5 -A Parte requerida poderá autorizar que os funcionários, especialmente nomeados pela Parte requerente, consultem, nos seus serviços, arquivos, livros, registos e outros documentos relevantes ou quaisquer dados existentes nesses serviços, obtenham cópias dos mesmos ou extraiam quaisquer informações ou pormenores importantes relacionados com a infracção aduaneira.

Artigo 8.º

Despesas

1 -As Partes deverão normalmente renunciar a todos os pedidos de reembolso de despesas decorrentes da execução do presente Acordo, com excepção das despesas com as testemunhas, dos honorários dos peritos e das despesas com os intérpretes que não sejam funcionários públicos.
2 -Se forem exigidas despesas de natureza substancial e extraordinária para a execução do pedido, as Partes deverão efectuar consultas entre si para determinarem em que termos e condições o pedido será efectuado, assim como o modo como os custos serão suportados.

Artigo 9.º

Casos especiais de assistência

1 -Os serviços aduaneiros deverão, a pedido, trocar informações entre si no sentido de saberem se as mercadorias exportadas do território de uma das Partes foram legalmente importadas no território da outra Parte. A informação deverá conter, a pedido, o procedimento aduaneiro utilizado para o desalfandegamento das mercadorias.
2 -Os serviços aduaneiros de uma Parte, a pedido dos serviços aduaneiros da outra Parte, deverão, na medida das suas possibilidades, exercer uma vigilância especial sobre:
1. a)Meios de transporte suspeitos de serem utilizados em infracções aduaneiras no território da Parte requerente;
2. b)Mercadorias designadas pela Parte requerente como sendo objecto de um comércio clandestino generalizado de que essa Parte é o país de destino;
3. c)Indivíduos reconhecidos pela Parte requerente como envolvidos ou suspeitos de envolvimento numa infracção aduaneira.
3 -Os serviços aduaneiros das Partes deverão, por sua própria iniciativa ou a pedido, fornecer entre si todas as informações disponíveis relativamente a actividades que possam dar origem a infracções aduaneiras no território da outra Parte, especialmente em casos graves que possam envolver danos substanciais para a economia, saúde pública, segurança pública ou qualquer outro interesse vital da outra Parte.
4 -De acordo com as suas leis internas, as Partes acordam:
1. a)Emprestar assistência entre si relativamente à execução de medidas e processos provisórios;
2. b)Em dispor de bens, lucros ou comissões perdidos por virtude da assistência fornecida ao abrigo deste Acordo, em conformidade com a legislação da Parte que controla esses bens, lucros ou comissões;
3. c)Que qualquer das Partes possa transferir bens ou comissões perdidos ou os lucros da sua venda para a outra Parte, até onde as respectivas leis internas o permitirem, nos termos que forem acordados.

Artigo 10.º

Aplicação do Acordo

A Direcção-Geral das Alfândegas, Ministério das Finanças da República Portuguesa, e os Serviços Aduaneiros dos Estados Unidos, Departamento do Tesouro dos Estados Unidos da América, acordam em:

a)Estabelecer contactos directos para acompanhamento das questões suscitadas no âmbito do presente Acordo;
b)Emitir, após consulta, directivas administrativas para efeito da aplicação do presente Acordo;
c)Empenhar-se mutuamente na resolução de problemas ou dúvidas resultantes da interpretação ou da aplicação do Acordo.

Artigo 11.º

Entrada em vigor e denúncia

1 -Este Acordo entrará em vigor no 90.º dia a seguir à data em que as Partes notificarem, por troca de notas diplomáticas em que aceitam os seus termos, que todos os requisitos legais para a entrada em vigor estão preenchidos.
2 -As Partes reunir-se-ão para rever este Acordo no fim do prazo de cinco anos a contar da data da sua entrada em vigor, a não ser que qualquer delas notifique a outra, por escrito, de que a revisão não é necessária.
3 -Este Acordo pode ser denunciado por qualquer das Partes, através dos canais diplomáticos, mediante a apresentação, com uma antecedência de seis meses, de uma notificação escrita.
Em fé do que os abaixo assinados, devidamente autorizados pelos respectivos Governos, assinaram este Acordo.
Feito em Washington, em 15 de Setembro de 1994, nas línguas portuguesa e inglesa, fazendo fé ambos os textos.
Pelo Governo da República Portuguesa:
José Manuel Durão Barroso, Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros.
Pelo Governo dos Estados Unidos da América:
Warren Christopher, Secretário de Estado dos Estados Unidos da América.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA REGARDING MUTUAL ASSISTANCE BETWEEN THEIR CUSTOMS SERVICES.
The Portuguese Republic and the United States of America:
Considering that offenses 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;
Recognizing the need for international cooperation in matters related to the administration and enforcement of the customs laws;
Convinced that action against customs offenses can be made more effective by cooperation between their Customs Services;
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 the present Agreement:
1) «Customs laws» shall mean such laws and regulations enforced by the Customs Services concerning the importation, exportation, and transit of goods, as they relate to customs duties, charges, and other taxes, or to prohibitions, restrictions and other similar controls respecting the movement of goods and other controlled items across national boundaries;
2) «Customs Administrations or Services» shall mean, in the Portuguese Republic, the Directorate General of Customs, Ministry of Finance, and in the United States of America the United States Customs Service, Department of the Treasury;
3) «Provisional measures» include:
1. a)«Seizure» or «freezing» which means temporarily prohibiting the transfer, conversion, disposition or movement of property or temporarily assuming custody or control of property on the basis of an order issued by a court or competent authority; and
2. b)«Forfeiture» which includes a declaration of forfeiture to the State or confiscation where applicable, means the deprivation of property by order of a court or other competent authority. Such forfeiture will be subject to the domestic law of the Party taking the forfeiture action;
  4) «Offense» shall mean any violation of the customs laws as well as any attempted violation of such laws;
  5) «Property» means assets of every kind, whether corporeal or incorporeal, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible, legal documents or instruments evidencing title to or an interest in such assets.
  Article 2
  Scope of assistance
1 -The Parties agree to assist each other through their Customs Services to prevent, investigate and repress any ofense, in accordance with the provisions of the present Agreement. All assistance under the present Agreement by either Party will be subject to its domestic law.
2 -Assistance as provided in this Agreement shall include, upon request, information apt to ensure the enforcement of the customs laws and the accurate assessment of customs duties and other taxes by the Customs Administrations. Such information shall include, but not be limited to:
1. a)Enforcement actions that might be useful to suppress offenses and, in particular, special means of combatting offenses;
2. b)New methods used in committing offenses;
3. c)Observations and findings resulting from the successful application of new enf orcement aids and techniques; and
4. d)Techniques and improved methods of processing passengers and cargo.
3 -The Parties agree, in accordance with their respective domestic law, to assist each other in proceedings involving the use of provisional measures directed at property, proceeds and instrumentalities involved in offenses related to the customs laws.
4 -Assistance as provided in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall be provided for use in all proceedings, whether judicial, administrative or investigative and shall include but not be limited to proceedings on classification, value and other characteristics relevant to the enforcement of the customs laws and proceedings involving fines, penalties, forfeitures and liquidated damages.
5 -The Parties shall, if not contrary to their domestic law, also seek to cooperate in:
1. a)Initiating, developing or improving specific training programs for their personnel;
2. b)Establishing and maintaining channels of communication between their administrations to facilitate the secure and rapid exchange of information;
3. c)Facilitating effective coordination between their administrations including the exchange of personnel, experts and the posting of liaison officers;
4. d)The consideration and testing of new equipment or procedures; and
5. e)Any other general administrative matters that may from time to time require their joint action.
6 -Where, pursuant to article 5, the requesting Party is permitted to act in the territory of the requested Party, such actions shall be subject to the law of the requested Party.
7 -This Agreement is intended to enhance and supplement mutual assistance practices presently in effect between the Parties. No provision in this Agreement may be interpreted in a manner that would restrict agreements and practices relating to mutual assistance and cooperation that are already in effect between the Parties.
Article 3
Confidentiality of information and documents
1 -Information, documents and other communications received in the course of mutual assistance may only be used by a Party for the purposes specified in the present Agreement, including the use in judicial or administrative proceedings. Such information, documents and other communications may be used for other purposes only when the supplying Party has given its express consent.
2 -Inquiries, information, documents and other communications received by either Party shall, upon request of the supplying Party, be treated as confidential. The reasons for such a request shall be stated.
3 -Any information, documents or other communications obtained or communicated under this Agreement shall be afforded in the receiving country the same protection in respect of confidentiality and official secrecy as applies in that country to the same kind of information, documents or other such communications obtained in its own territory.
Article 4
Communication of requests
1 -Form and substance of requests for assistance:
1. a)Requests pursuant to the present 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 requests may also be accepted but shall be promptly confirmed in writing;
2. b)Requests pursuant to paragraph a) of this article shall include the following information:
  1. I)The authority making the request;
  2. II)The nature of the proceedings;
  3. III)The object of and the reason for the request;
  4. IV)The names and addresses of the parties concerned in the proceedings, if known; and
  5. V)A brief description of the matter under consideration and the legal elements involved.
2 -Channel of communication:
1. a)Assistance shall be carried out by direct communication between officials designated by the heads of the respective Customs Services;
2. b)In case the Customs Service of the requested Party is not the appropriate agency to comply with a request, it shall promptly transmit the request to the appropriate agency, and so advise the requesting Party.
  Article 5
  Execution of requests
1 -The requested Customs Service shall take all reasonable measures to execute the request, and if required, will endeavor to seek any official or judicial measure necessary to carry out the request.
2 -The Customs Service of either Party shall, upon the request of the Customs Service of the other Party, conduct or permit the requesting Party to conduct any necessary investigation, including the questioning of persons suspected of having committed an offense, as well as of experts and witnesses.
3 -The Customs Service of either Party shall, upon the request of the Customs Service of the other Party, undertake, or permit the requesting Party to undertake, verifications, inspection and fact-finding inquiries in connection with the matters referred to in the present Agreement.
4 -Upon request, the requested Party shall, to the fullest extent possible, authorize officials of the requesting Party to be present in the territory of the requested Party to participate in inquiries into, or the official report of, an offense of concern to the requesting Party.
5 -A request by a Party that a certain procedure be followed shall be complied with, subject to the domestic law of the requested Party.
6 -The requesting Party 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 such action may be coordinated.
Article 6
Exemptions from assistance
1 -In cases where the requested Party is of the opinion that compliance with a request would infringe upon its sovereignty, security, public policy or other substantive national interest, assistance can be refused or compliance may be made subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions or requirements.
2 -In the event that the request cannot be complied with, the requesting Party shall be promptly notified of that fact, and provided a statement of the reasons and circumstances which might be of importance for the further pursuit of the matter.
3 -Assistance may be postponed by the requested Party on the ground that it will interfere with an ongoing investigation, prosecution or proceeding. In such a case, the requested Party shall consult with the requesting Party to determine if assistance can be given subject to such terms or conditions as the requested Party may require.
Article 7
Documents, other materials and witnesses
1 -The Customs Services of the Parties shall, upon request, provide documentation relating to transportation and shipment of goods showing value, disposition and destination of those goods.
2 -Originals of documents and other materials shall be requested only in cases where copies would be insufficient. Upon specific request, copies of such documents and other materials shall be appropriately authenticated.
3 -Originals of documents and other materials which have been transmitted shall be returned at the earliest opportunity; rights of the requested Party or of third parties relating thereto shall remain unaffected.
4 -The Customs Service of one Party shall authorize its employees, upon the request of the Customs Service of the other Party, to appear as witnesses in judicial or administrative proceedings in the territory of the other Party and to produce such documents or other materials or authenticated copies thereof, as may be considered essential for the proceedings.
5 -With the agreement of the requested Party, authorization may be given for officials specially designated by the requesting Party to consult, in the offices of the requested Party, the relevant files, books, registers and other documents or data media held in those offices, take copies thereof, or extract any information or particulars relating to the offense.
Article 8
Costs
1 -The Parties shall normally waive all claims for reimbursement of costs incurred in the execution of the present Agreement, with the exception of expenses for witnesses, fees of experts, and costs of interpreters other than governnent employees.
2 -If expenses of a substantial and extraordinary nature are or will be required to execute the request, the Parties shall consult to determine the terms and conditions under which the request will be executed as well as the manner in which the costs shall be borne.
Article 9
Special instances of assistance
1 -Upon request, the Customs Services shall inform each other whether goods exported from the territory of one Party have been lawfully imported into the territory of the other Party. The information shall, upon request, contain the customs procedure used for clearing the goods.
2 -The Customs Service of one Party, upon request of the Customs Service of the other Party, shall, to the extent of its ability, exercise special surveillance of:
1. a)Means of transport suspected of being used in offenses within the territory of the requesting Party;
2. b)Goods designated by the requesting Party as the object of an extensive clandestine trade of which it is the country of destination; and
3. c)Particular persons known or suspected by the requesting Party of being engaged in an offense.
3 -The Customs Services of the Parties shall, on their own initiative or upon request, furnish each other all available information regarding activities which may result in offenses within the territory of the other Party, especially in serious cases which could involve substantial damage to the economy, public health, public security, or any other vital interest of the other Party.
4 -Subject to their domestic law, the Parties agree:
1. a)To assist each other with respect to the execution of provisional measures and proceedings;
2. b)To dispose of property, proceeds or instrumentalities forfeited as a result of the assistance provided for under this Agreement, in accordance with the legislation of the Party in control of the property, proceeds or instrumentalities; and
3. c)That either Party may transfer forfeited property or instrumentalities, or the proceeds of their sale to the other Party, to the extent permitted by their respective domestic law, upon such terms as may be agreed.
  Article 10
  Implementation of the Agreement
  The Directorate General of Customs, Ministry of Finance of the Portuguese Republic, and The United States Customs Service, Department of the Treasury of the United States of America, agree that they shall:
4. a)Communicate directly for the purpose of dealing with matters arising out of the present Agreement;
5. b)After consultation, shall issue any administrative directives for the implementation of the present Agreement; and
6. c)Endeavor by mutual accord to resolve problems or doubts arising from the interpretation or application of the Agreement.
  Article 11
  Entry into force and termination
1 -This Agreement shall enter into force on the ninetieth day following the date on which the Parties notify one another by an exchange of diplomatic notes that they have accepted its terms, and that all necessary legal requirements for entry into force have been fulfilled.
2 -The Parties agree to meet in order to review this Agreement at the end of five years from the date of its entry into force, unless they notify one another in writing that no review is necessary.
3 -This Agreement may be terminated by either Party six months after written notice through diplomatic channels.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Washington, on September 15, 1994, in the portuguese and english languages, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Government of the Portuguese Republic:
José Manuel Durão Barroso, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
For the Government of the United States of America:
Warren Christopher, Secretary of State.

Artigo 11.º

Entrada em vigor e denúncia

1 -Este Acordo entrará em vigor no 90.º dia a seguir à data em que as Partes notificarem, por troca de notas diplomáticas em que aceitam os seus termos, que todos os requisitos legais para a entrada em vigor estão preenchidos.
2 -As Partes reunir-se-ão para rever este Acordo no fim do prazo de cinco anos a contar da data da sua entrada em vigor, a não ser que qualquer delas notifique a outra, por escrito, de que a revisão não é necessária.
3 -Este Acordo pode ser denunciado por qualquer das Partes, através dos canais diplomáticos, mediante a apresentação, com uma antecedência de seis meses, de uma notificação escrita.
Em fé do que os abaixo assinados, devidamente autorizados pelos respectivos Governos, assinaram este Acordo.
Feito em Washington, em 15 de Setembro de 1994, nas línguas portuguesa e inglesa, fazendo fé ambos os textos.
Pelo Governo da República Portuguesa:
José Manuel Durão Barroso, Ministro dos Negócios Estrangeiros.
Pelo Governo dos Estados Unidos da América:
Warren Christopher, Secretário de Estado dos Estados Unidos da América.
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA REGARDING MUTUAL ASSISTANCE BETWEEN THEIR CUSTOMS SERVICES.
The Portuguese Republic and the United States of America:
Considering that offenses 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;
Recognizing the need for international cooperation in matters related to the administration and enforcement of the customs laws;
Convinced that action against customs offenses can be made more effective by cooperation between their Customs Services;
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 the present Agreement:
1) «Customs laws» shall mean such laws and regulations enforced by the Customs Services concerning the importation, exportation, and transit of goods, as they relate to customs duties, charges, and other taxes, or to prohibitions, restrictions and other similar controls respecting the movement of goods and other controlled items across national boundaries;
2) «Customs Administrations or Services» shall mean, in the Portuguese Republic, the Directorate General of Customs, Ministry of Finance, and in the United States of America the United States Customs Service, Department of the Treasury;
3) «Provisional measures» include:
1. a)«Seizure» or «freezing» which means temporarily prohibiting the transfer, conversion, disposition or movement of property or temporarily assuming custody or control of property on the basis of an order issued by a court or competent authority; and
2. b)«Forfeiture» which includes a declaration of forfeiture to the State or confiscation where applicable, means the deprivation of property by order of a court or other competent authority. Such forfeiture will be subject to the domestic law of the Party taking the forfeiture action;
  4) «Offense» shall mean any violation of the customs laws as well as any attempted violation of such laws;
  5) «Property» means assets of every kind, whether corporeal or incorporeal, movable or immovable, tangible or intangible, legal documents or instruments evidencing title to or an interest in such assets.
  Article 2
  Scope of assistance
1 -The Parties agree to assist each other through their Customs Services to prevent, investigate and repress any ofense, in accordance with the provisions of the present Agreement. All assistance under the present Agreement by either Party will be subject to its domestic law.
2 -Assistance as provided in this Agreement shall include, upon request, information apt to ensure the enforcement of the customs laws and the accurate assessment of customs duties and other taxes by the Customs Administrations. Such information shall include, but not be limited to:
1. a)Enforcement actions that might be useful to suppress offenses and, in particular, special means of combatting offenses;
2. b)New methods used in committing offenses;
3. c)Observations and findings resulting from the successful application of new enf orcement aids and techniques; and
4. d)Techniques and improved methods of processing passengers and cargo.
3 -The Parties agree, in accordance with their respective domestic law, to assist each other in proceedings involving the use of provisional measures directed at property, proceeds and instrumentalities involved in offenses related to the customs laws.
4 -Assistance as provided in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 shall be provided for use in all proceedings, whether judicial, administrative or investigative and shall include but not be limited to proceedings on classification, value and other characteristics relevant to the enforcement of the customs laws and proceedings involving fines, penalties, forfeitures and liquidated damages.
5 -The Parties shall, if not contrary to their domestic law, also seek to cooperate in:
1. a)Initiating, developing or improving specific training programs for their personnel;
2. b)Establishing and maintaining channels of communication between their administrations to facilitate the secure and rapid exchange of information;
3. c)Facilitating effective coordination between their administrations including the exchange of personnel, experts and the posting of liaison officers;
4. d)The consideration and testing of new equipment or procedures; and
5. e)Any other general administrative matters that may from time to time require their joint action.
6 -Where, pursuant to article 5, the requesting Party is permitted to act in the territory of the requested Party, such actions shall be subject to the law of the requested Party.
7 -This Agreement is intended to enhance and supplement mutual assistance practices presently in effect between the Parties. No provision in this Agreement may be interpreted in a manner that would restrict agreements and practices relating to mutual assistance and cooperation that are already in effect between the Parties.
Article 3
Confidentiality of information and documents
1 -Information, documents and other communications received in the course of mutual assistance may only be used by a Party for the purposes specified in the present Agreement, including the use in judicial or administrative proceedings. Such information, documents and other communications may be used for other purposes only when the supplying Party has given its express consent.
2 -Inquiries, information, documents and other communications received by either Party shall, upon request of the supplying Party, be treated as confidential. The reasons for such a request shall be stated.
3 -Any information, documents or other communications obtained or communicated under this Agreement shall be afforded in the receiving country the same protection in respect of confidentiality and official secrecy as applies in that country to the same kind of information, documents or other such communications obtained in its own territory.
Article 4
Communication of requests
1 -Form and substance of requests for assistance:
1. a)Requests pursuant to the present 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 requests may also be accepted but shall be promptly confirmed in writing;
2. b)Requests pursuant to paragraph a) of this article shall include the following information:
  1. I)The authority making the request;
  2. II)The nature of the proceedings;
  3. III)The object of and the reason for the request;
  4. IV)The names and addresses of the parties concerned in the proceedings, if known; and
  5. V)A brief description of the matter under consideration and the legal elements involved.
2 -Channel of communication:
1. a)Assistance shall be carried out by direct communication between officials designated by the heads of the respective Customs Services;
2. b)In case the Customs Service of the requested Party is not the appropriate agency to comply with a request, it shall promptly transmit the request to the appropriate agency, and so advise the requesting Party.
  Article 5
  Execution of requests
1 -The requested Customs Service shall take all reasonable measures to execute the request, and if required, will endeavor to seek any official or judicial measure necessary to carry out the request.
2 -The Customs Service of either Party shall, upon the request of the Customs Service of the other Party, conduct or permit the requesting Party to conduct any necessary investigation, including the questioning of persons suspected of having committed an offense, as well as of experts and witnesses.
3 -The Customs Service of either Party shall, upon the request of the Customs Service of the other Party, undertake, or permit the requesting Party to undertake, verifications, inspection and fact-finding inquiries in connection with the matters referred to in the present Agreement.
4 -Upon request, the requested Party shall, to the fullest extent possible, authorize officials of the requesting Party to be present in the territory of the requested Party to participate in inquiries into, or the official report of, an offense of concern to the requesting Party.
5 -A request by a Party that a certain procedure be followed shall be complied with, subject to the domestic law of the requested Party.
6 -The requesting Party 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 such action may be coordinated.
Article 6
Exemptions from assistance
1 -In cases where the requested Party is of the opinion that compliance with a request would infringe upon its sovereignty, security, public policy or other substantive national interest, assistance can be refused or compliance may be made subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions or requirements.
2 -In the event that the request cannot be complied with, the requesting Party shall be promptly notified of that fact, and provided a statement of the reasons and circumstances which might be of importance for the further pursuit of the matter.
3 -Assistance may be postponed by the requested Party on the ground that it will interfere with an ongoing investigation, prosecution or proceeding. In such a case, the requested Party shall consult with the requesting Party to determine if assistance can be given subject to such terms or conditions as the requested Party may require.
Article 7
Documents, other materials and witnesses
1 -The Customs Services of the Parties shall, upon request, provide documentation relating to transportation and shipment of goods showing value, disposition and destination of those goods.
2 -Originals of documents and other materials shall be requested only in cases where copies would be insufficient. Upon specific request, copies of such documents and other materials shall be appropriately authenticated.
3 -Originals of documents and other materials which have been transmitted shall be returned at the earliest opportunity; rights of the requested Party or of third parties relating thereto shall remain unaffected.
4 -The Customs Service of one Party shall authorize its employees, upon the request of the Customs Service of the other Party, to appear as witnesses in judicial or administrative proceedings in the territory of the other Party and to produce such documents or other materials or authenticated copies thereof, as may be considered essential for the proceedings.
5 -With the agreement of the requested Party, authorization may be given for officials specially designated by the requesting Party to consult, in the offices of the requested Party, the relevant files, books, registers and other documents or data media held in those offices, take copies thereof, or extract any information or particulars relating to the offense.
Article 8
Costs
1 -The Parties shall normally waive all claims for reimbursement of costs incurred in the execution of the present Agreement, with the exception of expenses for witnesses, fees of experts, and costs of interpreters other than governnent employees.
2 -If expenses of a substantial and extraordinary nature are or will be required to execute the request, the Parties shall consult to determine the terms and conditions under which the request will be executed as well as the manner in which the costs shall be borne.
Article 9
Special instances of assistance
1 -Upon request, the Customs Services shall inform each other whether goods exported from the territory of one Party have been lawfully imported into the territory of the other Party. The information shall, upon request, contain the customs procedure used for clearing the goods.
2 -The Customs Service of one Party, upon request of the Customs Service of the other Party, shall, to the extent of its ability, exercise special surveillance of:
1. a)Means of transport suspected of being used in offenses within the territory of the requesting Party;
2. b)Goods designated by the requesting Party as the object of an extensive clandestine trade of which it is the country of destination; and
3. c)Particular persons known or suspected by the requesting Party of being engaged in an offense.
3 -The Customs Services of the Parties shall, on their own initiative or upon request, furnish each other all available information regarding activities which may result in offenses within the territory of the other Party, especially in serious cases which could involve substantial damage to the economy, public health, public security, or any other vital interest of the other Party.
4 -Subject to their domestic law, the Parties agree:
1. a)To assist each other with respect to the execution of provisional measures and proceedings;
2. b)To dispose of property, proceeds or instrumentalities forfeited as a result of the assistance provided for under this Agreement, in accordance with the legislation of the Party in control of the property, proceeds or instrumentalities; and
3. c)That either Party may transfer forfeited property or instrumentalities, or the proceeds of their sale to the other Party, to the extent permitted by their respective domestic law, upon such terms as may be agreed.
  Article 10
  Implementation of the Agreement
  The Directorate General of Customs, Ministry of Finance of the Portuguese Republic, and The United States Customs Service, Department of the Treasury of the United States of America, agree that they shall:
4. a)Communicate directly for the purpose of dealing with matters arising out of the present Agreement;
5. b)After consultation, shall issue any administrative directives for the implementation of the present Agreement; and
6. c)Endeavor by mutual accord to resolve problems or doubts arising from the interpretation or application of the Agreement.
  Article 11
  Entry into force and termination
1 -This Agreement shall enter into force on the ninetieth day following the date on which the Parties notify one another by an exchange of diplomatic notes that they have accepted its terms, and that all necessary legal requirements for entry into force have been fulfilled.
2 -The Parties agree to meet in order to review this Agreement at the end of five years from the date of its entry into force, unless they notify one another in writing that no review is necessary.
3 -This Agreement may be terminated by either Party six months after written notice through diplomatic channels.
In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
Done at Washington, on September 15, 1994, in the portuguese and english languages, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Government of the Portuguese Republic:
José Manuel Durão Barroso, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
For the Government of the United States of America:
Warren Christopher, Secretary of State.