The Fresh Produce Consortium is inviting comments following HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC) announcement last week of a new timetable for the movement to central administration and closure of entry-processing units and local Customs offices.

EPUs at Tilbury, Portsmouth and Avonmouth will move next month, Wales and Chatham in November, Southampton and Aberdeen in December, Dover in February 2007 and Heathrow and Stansted in March 2007.

“The latest version of the timetable has been published to allow for discussion with the trade and ensure that there is a smooth transition into the national clearance hub in Salford,” said FPC chief executive Nigel Jenney.

“Dates have changed for individual sites, but HMRC still expects to complete the migration by March 31. The closure of EPUs has implications for the inspection of import documents including plant-health certificates.

“HMRC welcomes any comments on any aspect of the migration project. If traders have any comments, we would be delighted to pass them on.”

In addition, Defra has issued new arrangements for the clearance of plant-health controlled goods through the national hub.

Pre-clearance route-1 paperwork and the phytosanitary certificate must be faxed or e-mailed to both the national hub and Defra at Kirton, Lincs.

Defra assures traders that HMRC clearance will take place promptly as long as documentation is in order. Original phytosanitary certificates must then be sent to Defra and not to HMRC.

Defra expects its own PEACH and HMRC’s CHIEF IT systems will be enhanced by July next year to the extent that clearance can be carried out electronically.

Topics