GB RETURNS

The following information is important when goods are being returned to GB

WHEN A CONSIGNMENT HAS BEEN REJECTED BY AN EU COMPETENT AUTHORITY 

Please note that, in accordance with the latest Import Information Note (IIN RPTC/1), where a consignment of animal products has been rejected by the competent authority at an EU Border Control Post (SIVEP/EU BCP) and is intended to return to Great Britain, the following requirements must be met:

* Pre-notify the return of the consignment and provide evidence of the corresponding IPAFFS notification to the EU BCP.

* Ensure that the consignment re-enters Great Britain through a Border Control Post (BCP) approved for the relevant commodity.

* Present the consignment for official controls at the BCP, including, as a minimum, an identity check following completion of the documentary check, and any physical checks deemed necessary by the Port Health Authority.

When arriving at the Inland Border Facility (IBF), it is essential that drivers are instructed not to leave the site until the consignment has been presented for inspection (even if another organisation within the IBF have instructed you to leave), all required controls have been completed and CHED validated, and permission to proceed inland has been granted by the Port Health Authority.

Failure to comply with these requirements will result in rejection of the consignment and being referred to inland enforcement authorities to carry out further enforcement action as deemed appropriate.

WHEN A CONSIGNMENT HAS BEEN REJECTED / REFUSED BY THE CONSIGNEE

Please note that where a consignment has successfully completed the relevant SPS controls in France and has been validated for entry in EU but is subsequently rejected/refused by the consignee at the final destination for commercial reasons, the circumstances change with regard to its return to Great Britain.

In such cases, the consignment cannot be treated as returned goods and must instead be treated as a new import into Great Britain. It is therefore important to understand that, depending on the nature of the goods, an Export Health Certificate (EHC), if identified as medium risk or other certification issued by the competent authority in the country where the goods are located may be required in order to meet current GB import requirements.

For further information, please refer to:

Import of animal products returned to Great Britain - Import Information Note (IIN) RPTC/1 - GOV.UK

The guidance states:

“If a consignment is rejected for commercial reasons after it has cleared import controls in the destination country, it cannot be treated as returned goods. Instead, it must be treated as a new import into the UK. In these instances, the consignment must be re-certified by the competent authority before it leaves that country to return to GB.”

Please ensure that appropriate certification requirements are considered before arranging the return of such consignments to Great Britain.

For Further guidance please contact porthealth@ashford.gov.uk