Customs Procedures

Acronyms are a daily occurrence when you are involved in international trade, and we often come across the term 3PL. But what does it actually mean in practice? It stands for third-party logistics; essentially, 3PL providers offer outsourced services related to the shipping and handling of goods. These services encompass various logistical needs, making them essential partners for many businesses.

NCTS Phase 4 is about to progress to NCTS Phase 5 as part of a program of planned changes agreed under the Common Transit Convention to how Transit operates and aligns with other contracting nations. This alignment needs to be completed by December 2nd, 2024.

HMRC has recently published timescales for the migration from the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) National Export System (NES) to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).

Understanding the significance of a Non-Manipulation certificate and its optimal applications is perhaps, more than ever, vital for UK exporters, who may have previously faced pricing challenges.

The publication of the UK Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) now guarantees that Northern Ireland businesses will continue to enjoy unfettered access when transporting goods to Great Britain.

A Customs Warehouse allows traders to store goods with suspended duty or import VAT payments. When goods are in a Customs Warehouse, they are considered to have never landed in that country.

The UK Government has today (29th August 2023) published its Border Target Operating Model (BTOM), setting out new controls to protect the UK against security and biosecurity threats and create a world-class border system for trade in goods. The BTOM confirms a delay to UK import controls due this October.

VAT Payable - Non-Warranty Repair Export through CHIEF Customs Procedure Code 2200 000 can be used for duty-free goods that are being temporarily exported outside the UK for process, repair, adaptation, reworking or making up. Use of this code constitutes a declaration that the goods are intended for temporary export, for the purpose of processing or treatment outside the UK, and for re-importation after completion of the process. Export through CDS Customs Procedure Code 2200 B54 can be used to for duty-free goods that are being temporarily exported outside the UK for process, repair, adaptation, reworking or making up. Use of this Procedure Code constitutes a declaration that the goods are intended for temporary export, for the purpose of processing or treatment outside the UK, and for re-importation after completion of the process. Note: Procedure 2200 B54 cannot be used if the goods are only duty-free by virtue of a Free Trade Agreement. Procedure 2200 B53 must be used instead. Note that the procedure can only be used 3 times in any 12-month period. Scenario In our scenario, the tools are being temporarily exported outside the UK for a process (sharpening). They will then be re-imported to the UK after completion. The “Process”, sharpening in this case, would be subject to VAT on importation to the UK under the following guidelines. Re-import through CDS (CHIEF Can no longer be used) Procedure 6122 B06 should be used to re-import the duty free goods after processing, with VAT chargeable at importation (unless exemption is claimed) on the following value: The freight charged for the transport to and from the processor’s premises (but not insurance) The price charged for the process, repair or service, including any charge for parts and materials To declare the amount of VAT payable on an import customs declaration, Tax type code B00 should be used, with the amount of VAT payable or postponed manually calculated. HMRC advises that the use of Procedure 6122 B06 constitutes a declaration that the goods: Were previously exported outside the UK Were exported using CPC 22 00 000 in SAD Box 37 under CHIEF, or Were exported using Procedure 22 00 B54 in DE 1/10 and 1/11 under CDS Were intended at the time of their export to be re-imported after completion of the treatment or process outside the UK Have been repaired, processed, adapted, reworked or made up outside the UK Ownership was not transferred to any other person at exportation or during the time they were outside the UK To conclude, the tools which were temporarily exported for a process (sharpening) are subject to VAT at importation on the cost of the process, including parts and materials used in the process. VAT Exempt - Warranty Repairs An example of VAT not being payable upon importation would be where the “tool” was under a warranty or was faulty and was being repaired as a part of this cover. VAT exemption would apply and therefore, VAT would not be payable at re-importation.