Review of NCH Route 1 Commitment

Who should read: All those involved in the importation and exportation of goods.

What is it about: HMRC’s decision to replace the current commitment to clear 95% of route 1 entries within two hours with a revised commitment that better reflects the needs of business and HMRC.

When effective: 08:00 4 April 2011
Extant until/ Expires: Further notice

Background

On 23 August HMRC announced it was reviewing whether the two-hour commitment to clear all route 1 entries still meets the needs of business and HMRC. The review closed 31 January 2011.

Outcome of the Review

HMRC has decided with effect from 08:00 4 April 2011 to replace the current two-hour commitment to clear 95 per cent of route 1 entries within two hours, with the following:

• HMRC will clear 95 per cent of air and RORO freight route 1 entries within two hours;
• HMRC will clear 95 per cent of deep-sea maritime freight route 1 entries received between 8am and 3pm Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) within three hours;
• HMRC will clear 95 per cent of deep-sea maritime freight entries received after 3pm on a working week day, on weekends, and on bank holidays by 8am the next day;
• HMRC will still retain the two-hour clearance for “urgent” goods, e.g. perishable food, explosives, and hazardous chemicals.
HMRC will also undertake to clear certain entries within three hours if for reasons outside the business’s control the goods are delayed, e.g. adverse weather, the ship being delayed.
The commitments will only apply from the time all the necessary paperwork for that route 1 entry has been submitted.

HMRC will monitor the operation of this new commitment.

Contact

If you have any questions please contact:

Ian Moules
National Clearance Hub Review
Room 1/37, 100 Parliament Street
London SW1A 2BQ
020 7147 0653
Ian.moules@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Issued on the 15 March 2011 by the JCCC Secretary HMRC, Excise, Customs Stamps & Money Directorate.

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