Guidance

Notice to Traders 04/21

Updated 8 June 2021

Imports of Garlic Under Statutory Instrument No. 2020/1432

Introduction

This notice explains how the rules are applied to this quota and how to apply for a licence. It also advises you of the quota amounts available in the remaining import tariff quota sub-period (1 March 2021 to 31 May 2021). Details of the quantities available are outlined in Annex 1 of this notice.

Background

The distinction between New Importers and Traditional Importers under this quota will no longer apply. Therefore, for this sub-period only, the following must be supplied to be eligible for a garlic quota import licence. If you do not have the proof of trade as detailed below, you are not eligible and cannot apply.

If you have not already qualified in any of the previous three sub-periods, you will need to provide proof that you have imported at least 50 tonnes of fruit and vegetables in each of the two previous calendar years, or the previous two complete 12-month import tariff quota periods (an import tariff quota period runs from 1 June of one year to 31 May of the next). Alternatively, you may provide proof that you have exported 50 tonnes of garlic to a territory outside the UK during the same periods.

For reference, the eligible products are listed in Annex 2.

In addition to the above you must be established and registered for VAT in the UK. You must provide us with a copy of your current VAT registration certificate.

Proof of Trade

The proof we require will be as follows:

  • A list of licence numbers (if the licences were issued in electronic format) and quantities used;
  • Copies of C88 documents, stamped and signed by Customs as true and certified (if the licence was issued in paper format or the commodity is non-licensable).
  • In addition, we will require a copy of your VAT Certificate.

Note: For full details on providing proof of trade and applying for licences, please refer to Notice to Traders 08/20. If you do not follow the rules of the scheme, your application will be rejected.

Available quantities

The available quantities under this quota are set out in Annex 1.

Applying for a licence

Quota applications must be received during the first five calendar days of February.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your application, all supporting documentation and your security, is correct at the time of submission. They must be received by the RPA by no later than 17:00 on Friday 5th February 2021.

Note: We will reject any applications where the application, security and / or proof of trade are received after 17:00 on Friday 5th February 2021.

We advise you to use the latest version of the application form. You can submit applications either by post or by email. The email address for licence applications is [email protected]

As part of the garlic import tariff quota, licence applications must include the following entries:

Box 8 of your application must state the country of origin of the product and you must select this as ‘Yes’. Licences will carry an obligation to import from the exact country stated;

Box 20 of your application must contain the correct import tariff quota order number. You must also include “Statutory Instrument 2020/1432”.

You must not lodge more than one import licence application for the same quota order number in a sub-period

Note: If more than one application is lodged for the same quota order number, all your applications will be rejected.

Security

Security of £60.00 per tonne must be lodged with each licence application. You can find further information on how to lodge your security on GOV.UK.

Issuing Licences

Your quota licence will be issued between 22 February and 26 February 2021 and will be valid for three months from 1 March. Licences are not transferrable.

Your licence will have a 5% upward tolerance. However, the reduction in duty will only be valid for the quantities shown in sections 17 and 18 of your licence.

As licences will only be valid for imports into the UK, your licence will be issued electronically. We no longer issue paper import licences.

Authority

You can find details of the arrangements in Statutory Instrument 2020 No. 1432. You can obtain copies from Stationery Office bookshops and accredited agents, or order from the Stationery Office website.

You can also access Statutory Instruments electronically by visiting the UK’s Legislation website. The RPA is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the Legislation website. Whilst every care has been taken in producing this guidance, the Statutory Instrument as published is definitive.

Enquiries

If you have any questions about this notice, please contact the Import Licensing section as follows:

Telephone helpline number – 03300 416 500 (Option 1)

E-mail address – [email protected]

Our postal address is:
Import Licensing Team

Rural Payments Agency
Lancaster House
Hampshire Court
Newcastle Business Park
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE4 7YH

Annex 1

Tariff quotas opened for imports of garlic falling within CN code 0703 2000

Origin Order Number Fourth sub-period (March to May)
China 05.4105 3,458,336 kg
Other third countries 05.4106 2,312,000 kg
Total   5,770,336 kg

Quota quantities not allocated in February will be carried over to subsequent months.

Licences are valid from 1 March until the end of the quota period (31 May 2021).

For this quota (CN Code 0703 2000):

  • You must lodge security of £60 per tonne.
  • Box 20 of your application must contain: ‘Order Number 05.41**’
  • Box 24 (comments box) of your application must contain: ‘Reduced rate of duty up to the quantity indicated in boxes 17 and 18 of this licence (Statutory Instrument 2020/1432)’.

Annex 2

List of products which can be imported to qualify for the Garlic quota

Products listed in the Proof of Trade Table, Schedule 3 of Statutory Instrument 2020 No. 1432

CN Code Description
0702 Tomatoes, fresh or chilled
0703 Onions, shallots, garlic, leeks and other alliaceous vegetables, fresh or chilled
0704 Cabbages, cauliflowers, kohlrabi, kale and similar edible brassicas, fresh or chilled
0705 Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and chicory (Cichorium spp.), fresh or chilled
0706 Carrots, turnips, salad beetroot, salsify, celeriac, radishes and similar edible roots, fresh or chilled
0707 Cucumbers and gherkins, fresh or chilled
0708 Leguminous vegetables, shelled or unshelled, fresh or chilled
ex 0709 Other vegetables, fresh or chilled, excluding vegetables of sub-headings 0709 60 91, 0709 60 95, 0709 60 99, 0709 90 31, 0709 90 39 and 0709 90 60
ex 0802 Other nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled, excluding areca (or betel) and cola nuts of sub-heading 0802 70 & 0802 80
0803 10 10 Fresh plantains
0803 10 90 Dried plantains
0804 20 10 Figs, fresh
0804 30 00 Pineapples
0804 40 00 Avocados
0804 50 00 Guavas, mangos and mangosteens
0805 Citrus fruit, fresh or dried
0806 10 10 Fresh table grapes
0807 Melons (including watermelons) and pawpaws (papayas), fresh
0808 Apples, pears and quinces, fresh
0809 Apricots, cherries, peaches (including nectarines), plums and sloes, fresh
0810 Other fruit, fresh
0813 50 31 0813 50 39 Mixtures exclusively of dried nuts of CN Nos 0801 and 0802
0910 20 Saffron
0910 99 Thyme, fresh or chilled
ex 1211 9086 Basil, Melissa, mint, origanum vulgare (oregano/wild marjoram), rosemary, sage, fresh or chilled
1212 92 Locust (or carob) beans