Working with the bad guys ECASBA Brussels Seminar May 22 nd 2007 John A. Foord FICS

Background UK Customs joined with taxation authorities Taxation authority gains superiority over Customs Funding for Customs cut back leading to.. Reduction in Customs presence at UK ports

Why use ICS Company Members ? Centrally regulated Professionally qualified Effective sanctions for non-performance Represented at every UK commercial port More than 10 years faultless performance in collection of light dues

What are ICS currently doing for UK Customs ? Processing of: –EUR-1 Movement Certificates –ATR documents for cargoes to Turkey ICS Members are required to: –process and stamp documents –retain copies of all documentation –make the information available to HMRC and.. –assist HMRC with any subsequent investigation

What are ICS not doing for UK Customs ? Taking responsibility for misdeclarations Boarding ships or carry out any physical inspections of ships, trucks etc. Reporting any Customs infringements

What are the benefits to ICS and UK Customs ? Customs maintain their coverage of all UK ports at greatly reduced cost and at private enterprise levels of efficiency ICS Company Members gain tacit government approval and.. the opportunity to charge non-ICS Company Members for approving/storing their documents which acts as a major incentive for companies to.. become Company Members of ICS

Where do ICS and UK Customs go from here? Vessel report and clearance is currently under final preparation ICS is already looking at how its members can work with other UK border authorities such as… Port Health (phytosanitary regulations) UK Immigration and Naturalisation Directorate