Any item imported into the UK has a commodity code (tariff heading) and this must be detailed on the C88 on import.
Although the shipper of the goods is responsible for advising the commodity code and the clearance agent is responsible for completing the import customs clearance, it is the importer who carries the ultimate responsibility to Revenue and Customs of ensuring the commodity code used is the most accurate, regardless of the rate of duty.
To find out which commodity code should be used, go to www.businesslink.gov.uk/tariff and enter the relevant information. There is also a Revenue and Customs Tariff Classification Advice Line on 01702 366077 (as of February 2011). Please note that the information given on the phone (up to 3 items only) cannot be seen as a definite decision. In order to obtain a definite decision, an application needs to be made in writing to Revenue and Customs.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Friday, 11 February 2011
SFDA Ban on Mouthwash containing Alcohol
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) have issued circular no. 3597 dated 2.2.1432 (or 16th January 2011) banning the import into Saudi Arabia of all mouthwash and related products (used for rinsing, cleaning or sterilizing of the mouth and teeth) containing alcohol. The reason for this ban is because of the existence of permissible and alcohol free alternatives.
Ethiopian Dry Ports
In 2007 the Dry Port Service Enterprise (DPSE) in Ethiopia started building a dry port at Modjo, 76 km east of Addis Ababa in the Oromia Regional State. The opening of this dry port alone cut the time it took to move cargo from Djibouti to Ethiopia from 30 days down to 10 days.
In March 2010 the DPSE opened a second dry port at Semera, also in the Oromia Regional State, 558 km east of Addis Ababa. Semera was designed to tend to the needs of vehicle importations.
It is estimated that once fully functional these two dry ports will be able to store 70% of Ethiopia’s imports. Studies have also been completed for additional dry ports in Moyale, Woyito, Hawassa, Dire Daw, Jimma and Mekele.
One of the problems recently experienced shipping goods to Ethiopia through these dry ports is that the Ethiopian Shipping Line sometimes requests that the goods be off-loaded from the containers at the dry port. This can cause a problem if the exporter to Ethiopia believes that the goods will be shipped in the container direct to the customer’s premises and has not packed the goods with any additional protection.
Although the Martime and Transit Service (MTSE, which is a big government organization that specialises in moving equipment from the port to Addis Ababa it would be prudent to check before arranging any shipment whether the goods will be offloaded at the port or at the customer’s premises and to pack accordingly. Especially since Modjo Dry Port is 76 km from Addis Ababa and Semera is 558 km away and the road surfaces in between may be problematic especially during the rainy season.
In March 2010 the DPSE opened a second dry port at Semera, also in the Oromia Regional State, 558 km east of Addis Ababa. Semera was designed to tend to the needs of vehicle importations.
It is estimated that once fully functional these two dry ports will be able to store 70% of Ethiopia’s imports. Studies have also been completed for additional dry ports in Moyale, Woyito, Hawassa, Dire Daw, Jimma and Mekele.
One of the problems recently experienced shipping goods to Ethiopia through these dry ports is that the Ethiopian Shipping Line sometimes requests that the goods be off-loaded from the containers at the dry port. This can cause a problem if the exporter to Ethiopia believes that the goods will be shipped in the container direct to the customer’s premises and has not packed the goods with any additional protection.
Although the Martime and Transit Service (MTSE, which is a big government organization that specialises in moving equipment from the port to Addis Ababa it would be prudent to check before arranging any shipment whether the goods will be offloaded at the port or at the customer’s premises and to pack accordingly. Especially since Modjo Dry Port is 76 km from Addis Ababa and Semera is 558 km away and the road surfaces in between may be problematic especially during the rainy season.
Random Scans at European Seafreight ports
One of the possible hidden costs when sea-freighting goods from European ports, is that Customs are allowed to seize containers without notice on a random basis for a Customs Scan. In most ports the scanning procedure is completed on site, but some ports, such as Hamburg in Germany (as of January 2011) lack these facilities and the container has to be shipped ex Terminal to an external scan checking point.
This can be expensive. Customs are allowed to charge terminal charges (Gate In/Gate Out) and also trucking charges which together can cost from Euro 550.00 (as of January 2011) upwards. These prices (in ports where the scan check is not on site) include the following procedures.
- Container to be trucked from the Terminal to the Scanning Area
- Trucking back to the Terminal
- Scanning
- Waiting Time
- Gate-In
- Gate-Out
- Additional Terminal Handling
- Release
There is also a chance that if the scan shows an inconsistency between the export documentation and the details obtained through the scan, that the container could be delayed and may miss the vessel it was originally booked on. Apart from the additional costs which could include customs charges, detention charges and also storage and demurrage, there could be an additional problem if the goods are being shipped against a Documentary Credit and the original ship booked was on or close to the last shipment date on the Credit. In which case, the goods may be shipped late which could lead to a discrepant presentation.
Therefore, it is recommended that before arranging a shipment, that there is a check that the port has scanning facilities on site; that the description of goods on the export paperwork must allow Customs to easily identify the goods inside the container and, with Documentary Credit shipments, where possible, there is contingency built into the shipment date in case a check of this type happens.
This can be expensive. Customs are allowed to charge terminal charges (Gate In/Gate Out) and also trucking charges which together can cost from Euro 550.00 (as of January 2011) upwards. These prices (in ports where the scan check is not on site) include the following procedures.
- Container to be trucked from the Terminal to the Scanning Area
- Trucking back to the Terminal
- Scanning
- Waiting Time
- Gate-In
- Gate-Out
- Additional Terminal Handling
- Release
There is also a chance that if the scan shows an inconsistency between the export documentation and the details obtained through the scan, that the container could be delayed and may miss the vessel it was originally booked on. Apart from the additional costs which could include customs charges, detention charges and also storage and demurrage, there could be an additional problem if the goods are being shipped against a Documentary Credit and the original ship booked was on or close to the last shipment date on the Credit. In which case, the goods may be shipped late which could lead to a discrepant presentation.
Therefore, it is recommended that before arranging a shipment, that there is a check that the port has scanning facilities on site; that the description of goods on the export paperwork must allow Customs to easily identify the goods inside the container and, with Documentary Credit shipments, where possible, there is contingency built into the shipment date in case a check of this type happens.
UK Bribery Act 2010 Implementation delayed
The United Kingdom Government has delayed the implementation of the Bribery Act which was originally due to come into force in April 2011. The implementation of this Act has been put on hold while the Government rewrites the guidance for businesses on how to comply with the 2010 law.
The Ministry of Justice has not said yet when the new guidance notes will be published, but they advise that three (3) months must pass between the publication of the guidance notes and the implementation of the law.
The Ministry of Justice has not said yet when the new guidance notes will be published, but they advise that three (3) months must pass between the publication of the guidance notes and the implementation of the law.
Hotel in Ethiopia
An engineer who has just returned from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has advised that the best hotel he found in Addis Ababa was the Kaleb Hotel near the international airport. Their telephone number is 011 662 22 13. As of the end of December 2010 the cost of a room in this newly built hotel was USD 60.00. The engineer highly recommends the cleanliness, situation and service of this hotel, and their willingness to find him a room at short notice, when he found himself stuck in Ethiopia trying to return to the UK when Heathrow airport closed before Christmas due to snow and ice conditions.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Shipments from Yemen and Somalia
New security measures came into force on 8th November 2010 for everyone involved in shipping by air to the USA. The U.S Transportation Security Administration has issued the following additional security measures.
1. There is a full embargo on all cargo originating or transferring from or transiting through Yemen or Somalia.
2. Toner and ink cartridges are subject to enhanced security restrictions based on Government and airline directives.
3. Cargo identified as "high risk" will require additional security measures and will only be permitted on All Cargo aircraft and not allowed to ship on passenger aircraft.
There may be delays shipping certain goods to the USA as a result of the above measures.
There are also UK measures which have been in place since 2nd November 2010 and these are as follows:
1. Suspension of all unaccompanied shipments from Yemen and Somalia destined to or transiting the UK. Shipments from the UK destined for Yemen and Somalia are presently unaffected.
2. There is a weight limit of 0.5 kgs for all shipments containing individual ink or toner cartridges either sent individually or as part of an office equipment package.
1. There is a full embargo on all cargo originating or transferring from or transiting through Yemen or Somalia.
2. Toner and ink cartridges are subject to enhanced security restrictions based on Government and airline directives.
3. Cargo identified as "high risk" will require additional security measures and will only be permitted on All Cargo aircraft and not allowed to ship on passenger aircraft.
There may be delays shipping certain goods to the USA as a result of the above measures.
There are also UK measures which have been in place since 2nd November 2010 and these are as follows:
1. Suspension of all unaccompanied shipments from Yemen and Somalia destined to or transiting the UK. Shipments from the UK destined for Yemen and Somalia are presently unaffected.
2. There is a weight limit of 0.5 kgs for all shipments containing individual ink or toner cartridges either sent individually or as part of an office equipment package.
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