Importers of products which meet the exact descriptions shown on the list will be able to claim a 0% duty rate (in most cases) from 1 July.  This is because the Commission has established that there is insufficient EU manufacture of these products to justify the protection to EU manufacturers afforded by positive rates of import duty.

What does this mean?
Any business which imports materials or components because they cannot obtain supplies from EU manufacturers can apply for a tariff suspension, where the savings to be gained amount to at least €20,000 a year.  The application process is, however, quite lengthy as new suspensions are announced only twice each year – January and July.  The next round of applications must be submitted in September 2012, and if successful, will result in new tariff suspensions effective from 1 July next year.

The Customs Practice can help
The Customs Practice can assist importers with applications for tariff suspensions – for further information, or to check whether your imports may be eligible for a tariff suspension, please call us on 01635 521624 or by e-mail to ian.worth@thecustomspractice.com.

We are hearing that UK Customs / Border Agency are currently stopping all postal consignments from China and Hong Kong, for inspection.  Average delays are understood to be around 10-12 days.  We understand that this is part of an initiative by UK Customs targeted at protection of Intellectual Property / Trademark etc breached by imports of counterfeit / grey market goods – in particular UGG, NIKE and HERMES are believed to be among a number of designer brands involved in this initiative.

What does this mean?
Clearly, this is causing significant delays for many innocent shipments, so any UK importers who receive goods by airmail from China and Hong Kong should expect delays for the foreseeable future.  If any shipments are time-sensitive, they may need to consider alternative options - e.g. accompanied merchandise in baggage.

The Customs Practice can help
The Customs Practice has a presence in Hong Kong and can help exporters from Hong Kong and China to minimise the risk of delays at the UK border by ensuring their exports are fully compliant with EU Customs requirements.

To find out more, please call us on 01635 521624 or by e-mail to ian.worth@thecustomspractice.com.