Guidance

Notice to Traders 91/21

Published 9 November 2021

Imports of Rice under Statutory Instrument 2020 No. 1432

Introduction

This notice explains the rules for the Rice quota for the period of 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 and how to apply for a licence. It also advises you of the quota amounts available and details of the quantities available are given in Annex 1 of this notice.

Registering with the RPA

Before you submit a licence application you must make sure that you are registered with the RPA. If your company is not registered, a company director or an individual legally responsible for the business must apply for a six-digit Trader Registration Number.

You will need to telephone our Rural Payments Helpline on 03000 200 301 and select options 2, 1 and 3 and ask to be registered as a trader. (These options are correct at the time of publication, but they are liable to change without notice).

You can find more details on our website However, not all of the information is available on the website. If you require assistance with the forms detailed below, please contact the Import Licensing team.

Proof of Trade

You must provide the following documents to prove that you are eligible for a rice quota licence. If you do not have the proof of trade detailed below, you are not eligible, and you cannot apply for a quota licence.

You must be established and registered for VAT in the UK. You must tell us your current VAT registration number. You can provide your VAT number on your quota licence application or send us a copy of your current VAT certificate. However, if your company is part of a group VAT registration number, we will need to see a copy of your current VAT certificate before the quota deadline.

As this is the first application in the quota year you must provide evidence to prove that you have imported at least 25 tonnes of rice during:

  • The 12-month period ending two months before the first application can be submitted for the 2021 quota year (17 September 2020 to 16 September 2021); and
  • The 12-month period immediately before that (17 September 2019 to 16 September 2020).

Your proofs must accompany your first application.

If you use electronic licences, we will need to see a schedule giving details of:

  • The licence number(s);
  • The date(s) of import;
  • The weight of each electronic attribution; and
  • The import entry number for each electronic attribution

If you used paper licences, or have imported quantities of cereals at full duty, you must supply the original import document (C88) form, or a copy certified as a ‘true copy’ of the original, endorsed by H M Revenue & Customs. We will only accept photocopies of the Customs stamp or scanned versions of these documents on condition that you supply the originals at your earliest opportunity.

You must fax a copy of the entry and any supporting documents (clearly marked as ‘request for endorsement’) to the H M Revenue & Customs (HMRC) National Clearance Hub (NCH) on 03000 588 462.

You can also e-mail the HMRC National Clearance Hub at nch@hmrc.gov.uk. C88s which were not endorsed at the time of import must be sent for endorsement to:

H M Revenue & Customs
National Clearance Hub
1st Floor West, Ralli Quays
3 Stanley Street
Salford
M60 9LA

Telephone number: 03000 588 454
Fax number: 03000 588 462

Please advise HMRC that the endorsements are required for GATT purposes.

You should only ask HMRC to endorse the number of copy entries necessary for the relevant regulation. If you send more copies than is necessary, it may delay the return of your endorsed copy entries.

HMRC agents or representatives cannot apply for import licences under these quota arrangements.

If you do not follow the rules of the scheme, your application will be rejected.

Applications

Your quota application must be received during the first 7 days of the application window, Wednesday 17 November and Tuesday 23 November 2021. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application, all supporting documents and the security are correct at the time of submission and they are received by the RPA before 17:00 on Tuesday 23 November 2021.

Note: We will reject any applications where the application, security and / or proof of trade are received after 17:00 (UK time) on Tuesday 23 November 2021.

Any unused quota will be carried forward to the next application period in January 2022.

You must submit your licence applications using an AGRIM import licence application form. We advise you to use the latest version of the application form. You can submit applications either by post or by email. The email address for licence applications is trader@rpa.gov.uk.

The person signing the import licence application must be authorised. To become an authorised signatory, please complete an il3 form. To avoid any delay in issuing licences, we recommend that the signatory is authorised before sending us your licence application.

Your application must not exceed the quantity available in each sub-period for the country of origin of product in which you are applying.

You must not lodge more than one import quota licence application for the same order number in a sub-period, unless it is accompanied by an export licence or certificate.

Note: If you lodge more than one application for the same order number, all your applications will be rejected.

Security

You must lodge security with each licence application. The following amounts must be provided:

  • £40 per tonne for applications under CN codes 1006 30;
  • £40 per tonne for applications under CN codes 1006 20;
  • £5 per tonne for applications under CN codes 1006 4000.

You can find further information on how to lodge your security by searching for ‘Licence securities for the import/export of agricultural products’ on GOV.UK.

Completing a licence application

As part of the rice import tariff quota, licence applications must include at least the following entries:

  • Box 20 of your application must contain the correct import tariff quota order number.
  • Depending on the quota you are applying for, box 24 must contain an entry. You can find details of the required entry in the relevant quota section at Annex 1 of this notice.

Applications for rice and broken rice originating in Thailand and for rice originating in Australia or the United States (Annex 1.1 and 1.3 of this notice) must be accompanied by the original export licence or certificate. The licence or certificate must have been completed and issued by the competent body in each of these countries.

Completion of sections 7, 8 and 9 of the Thai export licence is optional.

If you are not sure of the Combined Nomenclature (CN) code for your product (box 16) you should contact HMRC by sending an email containing as much information about the product as possible to classification.enquiries@hmrc.gov.uk. They will be able to provide you with the correct code and description.

Issuing Licences

As soon as the application period has closed, we will collate details of all valid quota applications we received and calculate the reduction coefficient applicable to each order number. Details of these reduction coefficients will be published on GOV.UK. Licences will be issued electronically by 16 December 2021 for use from 1 January 2022.

The reduction in duty will only be valid for the quantities shown in sections 17 and 18 of your licence.

As licences will only be valid for imports into the UK, your licence will be issued electronically. We no longer issue paper import licences.

Import licences will be valid from 1 January 2022 until the end of the 2022 quota period (31 December 2022). Where an electronic licence is issued an email can be sent to inform you of its issue. To receive this email notification, you must have already completed the appropriate sections of the il3 form.

Using Licences

When making your import entry to HMRC, you must state whether your rice is in packages of:

  • 5 kg or less; or
  • Over 5 kg.

Authority

You can find details of the arrangements in Statutory Instrument 2020/1432. You can obtain copies from Stationery Office bookshops and accredited agents, or order from the Stationery Office website.

You can also access Statutory Instruments electronically by visiting the UK’s Legislation website. The RPA is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the Legislation website. Whilst every care has been taken in producing this guidance, the Statutory Instrument as published is definitive.

Questions

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Import Licensing team as follows:

  • Our telephone helpline number – 03300 416 500 (Option 1)

  • E-mail contact – trader@rpa.gov.uk

  • Our postal address is:

Import licencing Team
Rural Payments Agency
Lancaster House
Hampshire Court
Newcastle Business Park
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE4 7YH

ANNEX 1

Annual Quota and Sub-periods from January 2022

Semi-milled or wholly milled rice under CN Code 1006 30 imported at zero duty as follows:


Country of Origin

Order Number

Annual Quota Quantity

JAN

(kg)

APR

(kg)

JUL

(kg)

OCT

(kg)

United States

05.4127

12,949,000


3,237,250

3,237,250

3,237,250

3,237,250

Thailand

05.4128

3,727,000

931,750

931,750

931,750

931,750

Australia

05.4129

779,000

779,000

-

-

-

Countries other than USA, Thailand and Australia

05.4130

273,000

273,000

-

-

-

Total


17,455,000

5,221,000

4,169,000

4,169,000

4,169,000

Note: Licences are valid from 1 January 2022 until the end of the quota period (31 December 2022).

Quota quantities not allocated in January, will be carried over to subsequent months.

For this quota (CN Code 1006 30):

  • You must lodge security of £40 per tonne.
  • Where export licences are provided, box 8 of your application must show the country of origin of the product and you must select this as ‘Yes’. Licences will carry an obligation to import from the country stated.
  • Box 20 of your application must contain: ‘Order Number 05.412*’
  • Box 24 (comments box) of your application must contain: ‘Exemption from customs duty up to the quantity indicated in boxes 17 and 18 of this licence (Statutory Instrument 2020/1432).
  • Applications from Thailand, Australia and the United States must be accompanied by the original export certificate and a copy of the original certificate.
  • To clear your goods under the quantities from Other Countries you must present a certificate of origin to H M Revenue & Customs

Husked rice under CN Code 1006 20 imported at an ad valorem duty rate fixed at 15% as follows:


Country of Origin

Order number

January

All Countries

05.4148

218,000 kg

Total


218,000 kg

Note: Licences are valid from 1 January 2022 until the end of the quota period (31 December 2022).

Quota quantities not allocated in January, will be carried over to subsequent months.

For this quota (CN Code 1006 20):

  • You must lodge security of £40 tonne.
  • Box 20 of your application must contain: ‘Order Number 05.4148’.
  • Box 24 (comments box) of your application must contain: ‘Customs duties limited to 15% ad valorem up to the quantity indicated in boxes 17 and 18 of this licence (Statutory Instrument 2020/1432)’.

Broken rice under CN Code 1006 4000 imported with a reduced rate of duty as follows:


Country of Origin

Order number

January

Thailand

05.4149

3,271,000 kg

Australia

05.4150

1,007,000 kg

Guyana

05.4152

692,000 kg

United States

05.4153

566,000 kg

Countries other than Thailand, Australia, Guyana and USA

05.4154

755,000 kg

Total


6,291,000 kg

Note: Licences are valid from 1 January until the end of the quota period (31 December 2022).

Quota quantities not allocated in January, will be carried over to subsequent months.

For this quota (CN Code 1006 4000):

  • You must lodge security of £5 tonne.
  • For Thailand, Australia or the United States, box 8 of your application must state the country of origin of the product and you must select this as ‘Yes’. Licences will carry an obligation to import from the exact country stated.
  • Box 20 of your application must contain: ‘Order Number 05.41**’
  • Box 24 (comments box) of your application must contain: ‘Reduced rate of duty up to the quantity indicated in boxes 17 and 18 of this licence (Statutory Instrument 2020/1432).
  • To clear your goods under the quantities from Thailand, Australia, Guyana and Other Countries you must present a certificate of origin to H M Revenue & Customs.

Semi-milled or wholly milled rice under CN Code 1006 30 imported at zero duty as follows:


Country of Origin

Order number

January

Thailand

05.4112

831,000 kg

United States

05.4116

478,000 kg

India

05.4117

311,000 kg

Pakistan

05.4118

225,000 kg

Countries other than Thailand, USA, India and Pakistan

05.4119

394,000 kg

Countries other than Member States of the European Union

05.4166

3,074,000 kg

Total


5, 313,000 kg

Note: Licences are valid from 1 January 2022 until the end of the quota period (31 December 2022).

Quota quantities not allocated in January, will be carried over to subsequent months.

For this quota (CN Code 1006 30):

  • You must lodge security of £40 tonne.
  • Box 8 of your application must state the country of origin of the product and you must select this as ‘Yes’. Licences will carry an obligation to import from the country stated.
  • Box 20 of your application must contain: ‘Order Number 05.41**’
  • Box 24 of your application must contain: ‘Exemption from Customs duty up to the quantity indicated in boxes 17 and 18 of this licence (Statutory Instrument 2020/1432)’.
  • To clear your goods under the quantities from Thailand, USA, India, Pakistan and Other Countries you must present a certificate of origin to HM Revenue and Customs.

3,428 tonnes of broken rice under CN Code 1006 4000 at zero duty as follows:


Country of Origin


Order number

JANUARY

Countries other than Member States of the European Union

05.4168



3,428,000 kg



Total



3,428,000 kg

Note: Licences are valid from 1 January 2022 until the end of the quota period (31 December 2022).

Quota quantities not allocated in January, will be carried over to subsequent months.

For this quota (CN Code 1006 4000):

  • You must lodge security of £5 tonne.
  • Box 20 of your application must contain: ‘Order Number 05.4168’
  • Box 24 (comments box) of your application must contain: ‘Exemption from customs duty up to the quantity indicated in boxes 17 and 18 of this licence (Statutory Instrument 2020/1432)’

Husked rice under CN Code 1006 10 and 1006 20


Country of Origin

ORDER NUMBER

January

Vietnam

05.4729

3,356,000 kg

Note: Licences are valid from 1 January 2022 until the end of the quota period (31 December 2022).

Quota quantities not allocated in January, will be carried over to subsequent months.

Valid CN codes are: 10061030, 10061050, 10061071, 10061079; 10062011, 10062013, 10062015, 10062017, 10062092, 10062094, 10062096, 10062098.

For this quota:

  • You must lodge security of £25 per tonne.
  • Box 8 of your application must state the country of origin of the product and you must select this as ‘Yes’. Licences will carry an obligation to import from the country stated.
  • Box 20 of your application must contain: ‘Order Number 05.4729’.
  • Box 24 (comments box) of your application must contain: ‘Exemption from Customs duty up to the quantity indicated in boxes 17 and 18 of this licence (Statutory Instrument 2020/1432)’.
  • To clear your goods, you must present a certificate of origin to H M Revenue and Customs.

Milled rice under CN Code 1006 30


Country of Origin

ORDER NUMBER

January

Vietnam

05.4730

5,001,000 kg

Note: Licences are valid from 1 January 2022 until the end of the quota period (31 December 2022).

Quota quantities not allocated in January, will be carried over to subsequent months.

Valid CN codes are: 10063021, 10063023, 10063025, 10063027, 10063042, 10063044, 10063046, 10063048, 10063061, 10063063, 10063065, 10063067, 10063092, 10063094, 10063096, 10063098.

For this quota:

  • You must lodge security of £25 per tonne.
  • Box 8 of your application must state the country of origin of the product and you must select this as ‘Yes’. Licences will carry an obligation to import from the country stated.
  • Box 20 of your application must contain: ‘Order Number 05.4730’.
  • Box 24 (comments box) of your application must contain: ‘Exemption from Customs duty up to the quantity indicated in boxes 17 and 18 of this licence (Statutory Instrument 2020/1432)’.
  • To clear your goods, you must present a certificate of origin to H M Revenue and Customs.

Fragrant rice under CN Code ex1006 10, 1006 20 and 1006 30


Country of Origin

ORDER NUMBER

January

Vietnam

05.4731

5,001,000

Note: Licences are valid from 1 January 2022 until the end of the quota period (31 December 2022).

Quota quantities not allocated in January, will be carried over to subsequent months.

Valid CN codes are: 10061030, 10061050, 10061071, 10061079; 10062011, 10062013, 10062015, 10062017, 10062092, 10062094, 10062096, 10062098; 10063021, 10063023, 10063025, 10063027, 10063042, 10063044, 10063046, 10063048, 10063061, 10063063, 10063065, 10063067, 10063092, 10063094, 10063096, 10063098.

Varieties of fragrant rice originating in Vietnam
Jasmine 85, ST 5, ST 20;
Nang Hoa 9 (NàngHoa 9), VD 20;
RVT, OM 4900, OM 5451;
Tai nguyen Cho Dao (Tàinguyên Cho Dào)

Successful licence applications are valid from the start of the month following the month of application until 31 December.

For this quota:

  • You must lodge security of £25 per tonne.
  • Box 8 of your application must state the country of origin of the product and you must select this as ‘Yes’. Licences will carry an obligation to import from the country stated.
  • Box 20 of your application must contain: ‘Order Number 05.4731’.
  • Box 24 (comments box) of your application must contain: ‘Exemption from Customs duty up to the quantity indicated in boxes 17 and 18 of this licence (Statutory Instrument 2020/1432)’.
  • To clear your goods, you must present a Certificate of Authenticity (issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam) to H M Revenue and Customs.

ANNEX 2

Checklist for your reference prior to submission of a rice quota import licence application

Presenting a correct application will assist us in processing your quota import licence.

Before submitting your application, check that the following details are correct:

  • Is the quota order number correct for the commodity code and country, which you have applied for?
  • Check the rate of security used is correct, i.e. £40, £30 or £5 per tonne.
  • Does the security amount calculated cover the quantity applied for?
  • Is it the correct description against the required commodity (CN) code?
  • Has your proof of trade and a valid VAT certificate been supplied / submitted for the current quota year?
  • Is the form signed and dated by an authorised individual?

If you are not sure of any details, the following will provide further information:

  • Annex 1 of this Notice to Traders.
  • Import Licensing team contact details are given in this Notice to Traders