ITS wrote in April about Commission Regulation 305/2010 which amended the list of products that attract an additional 15% duty from the US due to ongoing EU-US Trade Disputes. However, an error in updating CHIEF has occurred in the UK which meant that 2 Commodity Codes that were not liable for additional duty have actually been charged it. The codes in question are:

Due to the extra ordinary circumstances caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud, those importers that have consignments waiting at port for release to free circulation, for which the required original proof of preferential origin has not yet arrived due to the volcanic ash problem, will be able to claim preference supported either a faxed or a scanned copy of the original preference certificate (GSP Form A, EUR1, EUR-MED or ATR Movement Certificate) concerned until 31 May 2010.

ITS wrote in September about the increasing number of invalid origin certificates and how businesses could be affected by them. However, it seems that the issue is still a significant problem and HMRC has issued an update to the annex of its previous notice.

In response to ongoing concerns about the high levels of pentachlorophenol (PCP) and dioxins in certain batches of guar gum found in Indian guar gum, the European Commission has published Regulation No. 258/2010 introducing new rules for these imports.

Which products are affected?

The Regulation is concerned with guar gum falling within CN code 1302.32.90:

‘Mucilages and thickeners, whether or not modified, derived from vegetable products: Mucilages and thickeners, whether or not modified, derived from locust beans, locust bean seeds or guar seeds: Of guar seeds'

The Regulation also covers products that contain at least 10% guar gum originating or consigned from India and intended for animal or human consumption.

What are the new rules?

All consignments of guar gum or products containing guar gum will require:

• A Health Certificate issued by the Indian authorities. A copy of the certificate can be seen here in the Annex of the regulation.

• An Analytical Report completed by an accredited laboratory.

Both documents are to be signed by an authorised representative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India. HMRC will not release the products to free circulation unless the official controls have been carried out and that the result of such controls is favourable.

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