VFR02200 - Importations and withdrawals from warehouse: goods for the official use of visiting NATO forces
Definitions
Importations as freight
Withdrawals from a customs warehouse
Visiting forces mail
Signatories to C88/C21 declarations
Examination of consignments
Checks at the National Clearance Hub
Official documents
Importation and withdrawal from a customs warehouse by AAFES on behalf of the US forces
Importation of official goods in baggage
Transhipments
Post clearance action
Definitions
Goods that are for the exclusive use of a visiting NATO force may be imported or withdrawn from an approved warehouse free of duty and VAT. The goods must be imported by or on behalf of the NATO force and must be delivered directly to the visiting NATO force in the UK. The goods must be in the ownership of the force at the time of importation.
Relief should not be extended to goods imported by or on behalf of a commercial company. For instance, goods being sent to a commercial company for repair or adjustment cannot be allowed this relief. Other reliefs may be available, for example, inward processing or returned goods relief.
Importations as freight
Entry should be made on form C88 using CPC 40 00 007, 43 00 007 or 49 00 007 and the EORI of the visiting NATO force should be shown in the consignee details. Alternatively, a C21 can be used if the consignment is inventory linked through the National Clearance Hub. Use of the CPC constitutes a declaration that the goods are for the official use of the visiting NATO force in the UK.
Withdrawals from a customs warehouse
Withdrawals from an approved customs warehouse may be made on form C88 using CPC 40 71 007. Use of this CPC constitutes a declaration that the goods are for the official use of the visiting NATO force in the UK.
Visiting forces mail
Imported mail consigned to visiting NATO forces personnel or through the US forces Post Office should be entered as official goods for the use of the visiting NATO force under CPC 40 00 034, 43 00 034 or 49 00 034. Mail consigned to commercial companies is not covered by the visiting forces relief regime.
Signatories to C88/C21 declarations
Signatories are officials nominated by the visiting NATO force. Lists of these signatories are held by the Visiting Forces Unit of Expertise where they are available to check, if needed. Alternatively, if the force uses an agent to submit entries on their behalf, a fax authority to use the CPC can be sent. This faxed authority should be presented by the agent with the entry. If the agent is contractually obliged to submit entries on behalf of the visiting NATO force and has a standing authority to use the CPC built in to the contract, this is acceptable. A list of USF approved agents is held by the Visiting Force Unit of Expertise and a copy of the list is also held by the NCH.
Examination of consignments
You should ensure that an authorised member of the force, or a designated agent, opens and closes any selected consignments. You may select any consignment for examination to determine whether relief is appropriate or in cases of suspected fraud.
However, any consignment covered by proper documentation and marked as ‘classified shipment’ should not be internally examined. The Visiting Forces Unit of Expertise should be contacted in cases of doubt.
Checks at National Clearance Hub
Customs checks are set up against CPC 40 00 034, 43 00 034 and 49 00 034 plus CPC 40 00 007, 43 00 007 and 49 00 007. The action detailed for the checks generated should be undertaken as described in the Import and National Clearance Hub Procedures guidance INCHP02000.
Official documents
You should clear official documents under seal without examination. The courier carrying the documents, regardless of status, must be in possession of a certificate (in French or English) in the form set out in VFR12040 together with the passport or Military ID card specified in the certificate. Official documents under seal being carried by NATO service personnel under the authority of a NATO travel order may also be released without formality, as long as the number and description of packages agrees with that detailed on the travel order.
Official documents carried by representatives of firms or establishments engaged on work for NATO may also, in the absence of any suspicion, be cleared without examination. The courier should be in possession of a certificate in the form set out in VFR12050 together with the passport specified in the authorisation. The packages should bear a statement that they contain information only of concern to NATO.
Importation and withdrawal from a customs warehouse by AAFES on behalf of the US forces
Importations by AAFES of goods for sale to entitled personnel in retail outlets on US bases in the UK, may be made free of duty and VAT. The procedures are the same as those previously described at Importations as freight and Withdrawals from customs warehouse. Consignments of any tobacco or alcohol goods must be clearly identified on the entry. Withdrawals from excise warehouses are covered at VFR07200 and VFR07300.
Importation of official goods in baggage
Importation in baggage of goods for the official use of a visiting NATO force may be cleared, in the absence of suspicion, on acceptance of a C88/C21 as previously outlined in Importations as freight.
Transhipments
UK T1 procedures should normally apply to transhipments. However it is often easier to request that visiting NATO forces submit a C88/C21 at the time of import to admit the goods to visiting forces relief and submit another C88 at the point of export.
For transhipments to EC member states, full T1 procedure will apply or a NATO 302. For full details of these procedures see VFR02400 (‘Community transit requirements’ and ‘Authentication of NATO 302’).
Post clearance action
Post clearance customs checks will be generated at the National Clearance Hub through CHIEF for consignments for visiting NATO forces.
The specific requirements are to be found at INCHP04000 of the Import and National Clearance Hub Procedures guidance.