Our bylaws

Article 1 – Foundation

The persons named in Article 5 of these Articles of Association hereby form a non-profit association governed by the Law of 1 July 1901, to be known as “COLLIN DE SUSSY – Cercle de Réflexion Douanière”.
Its duration is unlimited.

Article 2 – Purpose

The purpose of this association is :

  1. To bring together practitioners and specialists in customs policy and customs law who have worked in the customs administration or come from the world of business and socio-professional organisations, lawyers, consultants, experts and academics;
  2. To study the rules and practices relating to international trade, customs law, indirect taxation, the logistical management of flows of goods and services, the control of foreign trade, foreign financial regulations and related rights such as counterfeiting, dumping and safeguard clauses;
  3. To act as a think tank, a forum for exchanging experiences and a source of ideas;
  4. To be a welcoming club for outside personalities concerned by its field of reflection and study;
  5. Maintaining close and regular relations with the French Customs Department and with other national, European and international administrations and organisations involved in the performance of customs and related tasks;
  6. To contribute to a debate on the role played by customs administrations in international trade;
  7. To periodically organise a colloquium on its field of reflection and study and to participate in any colloquium on subjects within its remit;
  8. To encourage, promote and publish research and academic work on customs policy and international trade;
  9. To collaborate with French or foreign associations with a similar purpose.

Article 3 – Composition of the association

The Association is made up of :

  1. Founding members,
  2. Active members,
  3. Associate members,
  4. Honorary members.

Article 4 – Founding members

The founding members are : Jean-Paul BOUQUIN, Francis DELEMOTTE, Jean-Philippe LACROIX, Hélène MICHARD, Jean-Marie SALVA, Maurice SANCIAUME, Marc TERTRAIS, Jean THOMASSET.

Article 5 – Active members

Active membership is open to individuals who are or have been engaged in a public or private professional activity related to customs regulations. This includes former executives of the customs administration who have left the administration or who have been seconded or placed on leave of absence.

Article 6 – Admission procedure

Applicants who meet the conditions set out in Article 6 shall submit a written application for admission to the Chairman of the Association, expressly stating their acceptance of these Articles of Association. Applications are submitted to the Board of Directors for review by at least two sponsors who are members of the Association. Admission is decided by the Board of Directors.

Article 7 – Associate and honorary members

Natural and legal persons who do not fall into any of the categories set out in Article 6, but who are interested in the Association’s purpose or support it, may be admitted as :

  1. Associate members if their professional activities and skills are directly related to international trade.
  2. Honorary members are individuals or legal entities whom the Association wishes to honour.
    Admission as an associate member or honorary member is decided by the Board of Directors.

Article 8 – Obligations of Association members

  1. The Association’s work is carried out in the interests of all its members and all companies involved in foreign trade, as well as the administrations concerned. However, under no circumstances does the Association represent one or more companies vis-à-vis anyone, in particular the public authorities.
  2. All members of the Association are members in a personal capacity and intuitu personae. No member may claim to be the representative, within the Association, of the company or organisation of which he or she is a member, which employs him or her or which he or she manages.
  3. On admission to the Association, each member undertakes not to seek to profit from the work of the Association Collin de Sussy for his personal advantage or that of the professional body of which he is a member. Under no circumstances may they use under their name or allow anyone else to use the work, research and studies carried out by the Association Collin de Sussy or the information gathered within the Association (unless it is in the public domain) without the agreement of the governing bodies of the Association Collin de Sussy, who may then demand that reference be made to the Association, particularly in the case of press articles or any other publications intended for public or private distribution.

Article 9 – Resignations

All members are free to resign from the Association at any time. Resignations must be notified by registered letter to the President of the Association.

Article 10 – Deregistrations and exclusions

  1. The Board of Directors may cancel the membership of any member who no longer meets the conditions for membership of the Association or who has not paid the membership fee within the time limits set by the internal regulations.
  2. The Board of Directors may also exclude any member who :
    • fails to comply with decisions taken under these Articles of Association by the bodies they establish;
    • fails to comply with the obligations arising from membership of these Articles of Association;
    • or causes moral or material prejudice to the Association.
  3. In all cases, before deciding to strike off or expel a member, the Board of Directors shall invite the member concerned to make his observations orally or in writing. The person concerned may be assisted by another member of the Association.
  4. The Board’s decision to expel or exclude a member shall be notified to the member concerned by registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt and shall take effect immediately.

Article 11 – The Board of Directors

The Association is administered by a Board of Directors of at least twelve members. The founding members designated in Article 5 are ex officio members of the Board. The other members are elected annually by secret ballot by the General Meeting.

Article 12 – The Executive Committee

The Board appoints from among its members, by secret ballot, a Bureau consisting of :

  1. A Chairman, who convenes and chairs General Meetings and Board meetings; represents the Association in all circumstances; represents the Association in court;
  2. One or more Vice-Chairmen to assist the Chairman;
  3. A Secretary responsible for preparing meetings, drafting minutes and keeping records. He may be assisted by a Deputy Secretary;
  4. A Treasurer responsible for the Association’s accounts and financial management. He may be assisted by a Deputy Treasurer.

Article 13 – Board meetings

  1. The Board meets when convened by the Chairman or at the request of one quarter of its members.
  2. Decisions are taken by majority vote, with the Chairman having the casting vote in the event of a tie.
  3. Any member who is absent from 3 consecutive meetings without being excused shall be deemed to have resigned from the Board.
  4. The duties of Board and Executive Committee members are performed free of charge.

Article 14 – The General Meeting

  1. The General Meeting comprises all the members of the Association. It meets at least once a year, either when convened by the Chairman or at the request of at least a quarter of its members.
  2. Decisions are taken by simple majority. Active members have the right to vote. Honorary and associate members have a consultative vote.
  3. Only paid-up members are entitled to vote.

Article 15 – Association resources

  1. The Association’s resources consist in particular of :
    • annual subscriptions paid by active members, founder members and associate members,
    • entrance fees,
    • donations and grants.
  2. Each year, the General Meeting sets the amount of subscriptions and entrance fees and decides how they are to be collected.

Article 16 – Internal regulations

The Board of Directors is responsible for drawing up, and then amending as necessary, Internal Regulations to supplement these Articles of Association and to regulate the Association’s operating procedures.