What is the UK Continental Shelf?

The United Kingdom Continental Shelf (UKCS) is a region of immense significance for the UK's economy and sovereignty. It stretches across vast expanses of the North Sea, encompassing numerous oil and gas fields, and diverse marine resources. From a customs standpoint, the UKCS presents unique challenges and opportunities related to trade, customs regulations, and defining maritime boundaries.

Understanding the UK Continental Shelf

The UK Continental Shelf is the submerged extension of the UK landmass, comprising the seabed and subsoil beyond the territorial sea. It extends up to the outer limits of the UK's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), where the country has exclusive rights over the exploration and exploitation of marine resources. The boundaries of the UKCS are defined by international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Moving goods between the UK and the UK Continental Shelf

You must declare goods moved between the UK and the UK Continental Shelf. Certain goods can be moved using a declaration by conduct. Declarations by conduct allow low-risk goods to be declared without an electronic customs declaration.

The declaration is made by conduct, such as someone walking or driving with the goods through the port. In this case, goods moving between the UK and the UK continental shelf could be declared by the conduct of either:

• unloading goods from a vessel
• carrying the goods through a port

Goods that qualify for imports

The goods must:

• be travelling to Great Britain from the Continental Shelf
• not be prohibited or restricted (require licences), or excise goods
• have previously been in UK free circulation and able to meet the criteria for Returned Goods Relief

The goods will also qualify if they were previously declared to the Authorised Use procedure and have been adequately discharged.

Goods that qualify for exports

The goods must:

• be travelling from Great Britain to the Continental Shelf
• not be prohibited or restricted (require licences), or excise goods
• be in UK free circulation or entered into the Authorised Use procedure before movement to the continental shelf

You cannot make a declaration by conduct if you have received a letter from HMRC disallowing you from using the conduct declarations.

What declarants must do

As a declarant, you must be able to:

• Provide the required evidence to support the claim for Returned Goods Relief.
• Provide evidence of discharging using the Authorised Use procedure, including submitting Bills of Discharge to the supervising office.
• Provide authorisation or permission to a third party if they are making the declaration on your behalf.
• Keep adequate records to identify goods and demonstrate eligibility for a declaration by conduct and Returned Goods Relief, or Authorised Use.

The UK Continental Shelf is a vital economic and strategic region for the United Kingdom. From a customs perspective, managing trade, resource extraction, and ensuring compliance with regulations in this vast maritime area presents unique challenges. Traders must follow the guidance provided when moving goods to and from the UK Continental Shelf.

Additional guidance is available on the official government site here