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Preparing for NCTS Downtime
BY:
Gail Leeson
19 October 2021
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The Convention on Common Transit has mandated provision for an outage to the digital system. Generally, hauliers are more likely to wait at a port until NCTS revives and their journeys are able to continue.
However, with changes due to be implemented with the NCTS system, and the removal of the XML channel, it may be practical to review what to do to prepare for any stop to the digital mechanism should movement need to move to manual.
Outbound Transit
• Ensure that the original Transit Guarantee document is filed at the Office of Departure by the holder of the procedure.
• The driver must present an electronic SAD or TAD Fallback Document at the Office of Departure. This document may be emailed or presented on a smart phone. This will enable the office of departure to print the Fallback Document
• Border Force will check the Fallback Document against an original copy of the guarantee certificate, previously lodged at the office of departure
• If all is well, the SAD/TAD fallback document will be stamped by Border Force and the journey may continue
• The SAD/TAD MUST accompany the goods on their onward journey to the Office of Destination
Without the lodging of the guarantee at the Office of Departure, there will be no Transit movement.
• Authorised Consignees may apply to HMRC for authorisation to use the Fallback Process applying for a Customs Stamp to be used to certify their transit documentation at their authorised premises.
Starting a Transit movement at an Inland Border Facility or Port
• Traders using a port in the southeast will be told not to attempt to commence a transit movement at an IBF or Port unless their goods are priority goods and on a priority list. An example would be those carrying live animals, medicines, or perishable goods.
• Those traders carrying priority goods may be able to progress if the movement guarantee is lodged at the port, and the driver has the SAD/TAD document for stamping.
• Traders already at the port or en-route, will need to sit out the outage, or may be turned away from the Port.
Non-southeast ports
Traders will be requested not to approach a port to commence a transit movement, unless they are able to follow the SAD/TAD stamping process having lodged the guarantee at the port in advance
Imports – Ending a Transit Movement
At GVMS Ports
• Drivers with valid Goods Movement Reference numbers having created a Movement Reference Number, will be able to board a ferry
• A haulier without a MRN (due to NCTS outage) will not be able to make a ferry crossing and should wait until NCTS service is restored
At Non-GVMS Ports
• Hauliers will be able to complete the Transit
Alternative Processes.
HMRC advise UK businesses to consider other processes in the event of prolonged NCTS outage.
Notes for Authorised Consignees/Consignors
Exports:
Starting a Transit Movement
Traders will not be able to commence a transit movement using the Fallback procedure unless the authorised consignor has authorisation to use the Fallback process.
Imports:
Authorised consignees should continue to complete the transit movement in the normal way, approaching their Authorised Office of Destination for permission to unload at those destinations on their authorisation. Data should be added to NCTS when the system is restored
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