ALV system set for February

Long-awaited benefits for importers and agents from simplifying procedures for importing fresh produce and cut flowers will be realised when the Automatic Licence Verification (ALV) system is implemented fully on February 16, 2010.

The ALV system covers goods controlled by the Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate or Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate imported into England and Wales from third countries outside the EU, and indirect imports of controlled goods sourced from third countries that enter the EU via another member state prior to onward movement to England and Wales to their final destination in the UK.

ALV will replace the existing procedure for customs clearance for containers subject to HMI or PHSI control, so companies will no longer need to fax Conformity and Quarantine Release Certificates to HMRC’s National Clearance Hub for physical checks.

ALV provides an electronic link between the Fera/RPA PEACH system and the HMRC CHIEF system. Consignment release decisions from HMI and PHSI Inspectors are transmitted electronically and in real time, directly into CHIEF, removing the need for agents or importers to send Quarantine Release Certificates or Conformity Certificates to the HMRC National Clearance Hub at Salford.

This real-time update directly into CHIEF results in the customs clearance times of containers which are subject to HMI or PHSI control being reduced from the current two hours down to 10-15 minutes, once the HMI or PHSI decision has been made.

Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), said: “The industry has worked for a long time to have a streamlined process which is estimated to save the industry around £1 million each year. We have called for these simplified and improved procedures for over two years and the FPC was instrumental in driving forward the initial pilot.

“We would like to thank the project team, including Fera, for its tremendous effort and support. It is essential that the industry has a fully workable system available before a key period of major activity.”