From 13 June 2023 when the legislation commences, the declaration by conduct process will be available to use. This means import and export of goods to and from the UK continental shelf can be made by unloading or loading a vessel or aircraft coming from or going to the continental shelf and submitting information to the National Maritime Single Window or the Submit a General Aviation Report system as you do currently.
From 13 June, the information required will be completion of the FAL 1 form including a statement the movement involves goods moving to/from the continental shelf (this can be entered into the Remarks box which is a free text field); or completion of the GAR information. The forms must be completed within the same timescales as you currently submit them.
The same requirement to add the statement that the movement involves goods moving to/from the continental shelf will be added to the Submit a GAR system in the coming weeks in the form of an additional question in the online form. It will be advised when this will be appearing in the next few weeks.
This process can be used for movements where the following apply:
Exports
- Goods must be travelling from GB to the continental shelf;
- Goods must not be prohibited or restricted (i.e. require licences), or excise goods; and
- Goods must be in UK free circulation or entered into the Authorised Use procedure prior to movement to the continental shelf.
Imports
- Goods must be travelling to GB from the continental shelf;
- Goods must not be prohibited or restricted (i.e. require licences), or excise goods; and
- Goods must have previously been in UK free circulation and able to meet the criteria for Returned Goods Relief; or previously declared to the Authorised Use procedure and have been properly discharged
The new declaration process does not apply to goods moved onto the UK continental shelf from outside GB or moving from the UK continental shelf to other countries.
It is the responsibility of the owner of the goods to provide authorisation to the carrier to make the declaration by conduct on their behalf, and must only do so if the goods are eligible to be declared in this way.
The UK continental shelf is defined as the areas designated by Order in Council under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964.
Movements to installations that straddle boundaries will, for the purposes of this process be treated as within the UK continental shelf providing the commodities produced by the installation serve the UK.
