25/11/08 - Cereals - Advance Notification of Imports - NTT 68/08
1. This notice is to advise you of a new procedure to give HMRC advance notification of imports of durum wheat, high quality common wheat, flint maize and malting barley in order for any sampling to be undertaken while the goods are being unloaded.
2. In past years, customs clearance of imported goods took place at the port where the goods were being imported. Importers or their agents usually notified the relevant port prior to arrival of the goods so that arrangements could be made locally for any examination and sampling. Following centralisation of this work, all import administration is now dealt with by the National Clearance Hub at Salford, and HMRC are often not made aware of cereal imports until they have been unloaded from the ship and placed into silos.
3. While import duties on cereals were suspended, it was of little significance whether advance notification of import was provided because sampling was not required. However, following the reintroduction of import duties, sampling will now be required for all loads not accompanied by a conformity certificate in order to confirm the quality of the product. Some sampling will also be required for loads covered by conformity certificates in order to meet the requirements of Commission Regulation (EC) No. 1249/96. It would, therefore, be beneficial for HMRC to receive advance notification of such imports.
4. In order to carry out a true analysis, samples must be representative of the whole consignment, with small quantities required from different parts of the load. This is most easily achieved during the unloading process. Sampling of the goods after they have been placed into silos means that the entire silo must be emptied to enable representative samples to be taken, which is costly and inconvenient for HMRC, port officials and importers.
5. HMRC should be notified in advance of all imports of cereal products referred to in paragraph 1, in order for any sampling to be undertaken during the unloading process. The notification should include details of any certificates of conformity accompanying the consignment. Such notification should be provided to the Compliance & Technical Team at the HMRC National Clearance Hub in Salford on 0161 261 5023 (Monday to Friday between 9am - 5pm). Local arrangements can then be made with the port officers for any sampling required during unloading.
6. If you have any queries concerning this notice, please contact HMRC on the following:
| Neil Dore | 01702 366998 |
| Barry Jordan | 0161 261 5023 |
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Page published: 12 December 2011