Flowchart - Standard Import Process
Step by Step - Standard Import Process
Purchase Order (PO)
The PO is automatically generated from the Purchase Info Record, a document that links a supplier, a product and purchasing terms. The PIR is under the responsibility of the buyer.
When setting up/updating a PIR, the buyer must consider that, if (and only if) Solvay Solutions UK Ltd is the importer of the goods, a few key data are mandatory in the PIR:
- The control confirmation key to allow the creation of an Inbound Delivery
- The Goods Supplier Address has to be outside the European Union
- The incoterm has to be different from DDP
All Purchase Orders are replicated into GTS. The control confirmation key is mandatory for import flows.
For more information, see the following awareness/training documents:
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The requirements above are related to the use of the GTS tool. Parallel to that, Solvay Solutions UK Ltd manages on cost conditions in the Purchase Order in order to take into account additional costs when valuing the stock.
In case of an import, the condition “Z0B1” corresponding to the administrative cost of the import clearance has to be added and attached to the relevant partner, that is Kerry Logistics, the selected customs broker (Vendor No 110688).
The procurer ensures that data are set up correctly and inform the buyer if amendment is needed.
Receipt of import documentation
The customs broker receives a copy of the Purchase Order automatically if he is set up as a partner for the on cost condition for clearance.
The buyer must also indicate in the text of the PIR (it will therefore come up in the PO) the notify party for customs clearance.
The customs broker receives the original import documentation.
Inbound Delivery
When the vessel is expected in the UK shortly, the customs broker gets ready for the Frontier Declaration (see next step). The first operation is to create an Inbound Delivery (transaction reference “VL31N”), in RCS, based on the Purchase Order Number.
He then writes down on his file what is the Inbound Delivery number attached to the PO number.
Key point: the customs broker checks that the information in the Inbound Delivery matches the original documentation sent by the supplier.
Case of multi lines PO (1 PO reference but several physical shipments with separate import entries)
If a PO has several lines (for different items), all the lines come up when creating an Inbound Delivery based on the PO number. But maybe the supplier has only shipped certain items in the vessel. In this case, the customs broker adapts the Inbound Delivery by removing the non relevant lines. When the rest of the PO eventually arrives, all the remaining lines come up again in a new Inbound Delivery. The lines corresponding to items that have already been receipted on site can’t be used again.
Case of a shipment with multi POs (several POs references but 1 single shipment and import entry)
The customs broker creates several Inbound Deliveries corresponding to the different PO references. Each Inbound delivery generates a UCR number. When the customs broker creates the SFD, he attaches to the SFD all the UCR references. CHIEF comes back with a single reference for the SFD. This reference is then added in all the SFD replicas attached to the different Inbound Deliveries when the customs broker updates them. This way, all the supplementary declarations are linked to the same SFD.
Troubleshooting
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The customs broker cannot create the Inbound Delivery whereas he received documentation from the supplier. |
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Most likely reason: the control confirmation key has not been set up for the PO or for the item.
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The customs broker cannot create a single Inbound Delivery for 2 items from the same PO shipped in the same container. |
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Most likely reason: the 2 items have 2 different “transport groups” or “Incoterms”.
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1. Receipt of import documentation
UK plants mentioned above give instructions to the suppliers to indicated the dedicated broker as a notify party for customs clearance on the documents.
Before goods arrival at the port of entry, the dedicated broker receives the information about the arrival as well as all documents needed to establish the import customs clearance in the UK.
CTC sends the permanent instructions to the dedicated brokers (see Annex 1).
2.
Frontier Declaration (SFD)
The dedicated customs broker can pre lodged lodges the Simplified Frontier Declaration. It is done outside GTS through his system in the relevant port inventory system.
Once the Frontier Declaration has been created, the customs broker updates the SFD replica in GTS.
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The customs broker must use the Inbound Delivery number created for the flow as the flow reference stated at the end of the UCR. When updating the SFD replica, the customs broker checks if the date proposed is the acceptance date of the SFD (as opposed to the pre lodged date of the SFD). |
Receipt of Goods on site
The goods can be booked using either the PO or the Inbound Delivery references, but only once the Inbound Delivery has been created. It is the goods receipt (transaction reference “MIGO”) that triggers the creation of an import entry in GTS.
3. Supplementary Declaration Import (SDI)
Once the goods have been receipted received on site, the customs broker has been advised to wait 2 days before completing the import entry, in case the goods receipt was amended. The SDI must be submitted up to the 4th . The SD must be sent to and accepted by CHIEF before the end of the fourth working day of the month following the Frontier Declaration. Each SDI must be attached to the corresponding FSD. To link the SDI to the SFD, is is essential that the same UCR reference is used. However, it is possible to have several SDI for 1 SFD, for example if several containers arrive on the same vessel but are delivered to the plant on several days. In this case, it is necessary to use "Part Numbers" for the UCR. The "Part Number" can be any 3-digit number from 001 to 999. In GTS, that is done by adding for example '/001' to the end of the UCR. GTS translates the '/' as meaning that the following digits are to be sent as the UCR Part Number in the EDIFACT messageacceptance of the SFD.
The customs broker completes the SDI generated in GTS its system and checks particularly if the value, the incoterm and the quantity match the documentation sent by the supplier. In case of discrepancy, the dedicated customs broker checks which plant is concerned and sends an email to : Jill Bucki/Louise Mardling for Oldbury and Francoise Gardon/Andy Connell/Emma Oates for Halifaxthe relevant supply chain contact. He waits for a written confirmation by email before amending the data. The person in charge must then investigate on the discrepancy and modify the data in RCS (PO or PIR) Solvay ERP system if necessary.
The information about the customs codes, CPC codes, EORI number, deferment references are provided by CTC department. In case of any customs information missing to proceed with the entry, the dedicated customs broker contacts CTC.
The customs broker sends the declaration to CHIEF and monitors the answer.
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The customs broker is responsible for checking preferential origin documents (EUR1, FormAForm A, invoice statement), applying the relevant code and filing the original certificate. (See Trade preference management process). |
Troubleshooting
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The SFD has been sent to CHIEF with a certain UCR, the end of the UCR is the Inbound Delivery Number. But, for whatever reason, the inbound delivery has to be cancelled and a new one is done. |
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If goods are coming from countries having signed the preferential agreement with the EU and the preferential origin certificates are missing, the dedicated customs broker contacts CTC department.
4. Final Supplementary Declaration (FSD)
The FSD must be submitted before the 4th working day of the month following the entries have been donereporting period, showing the number of SDI and SDW due/submitted in the reporting period. It is generated in GTSthe broker’s system. The customs broker checks it compares with the number of SDI and SDW due/submitted and sends it FSD to CHIEF. The customs broker takes this opportunity to control the consistency between Frontier Declaration and Supplementary Declaration.
Specific Cases
Case of Inter company flow
An inter company import flow occurs when the supplier of the goods is another Solvay entity using RCS.
There are a few differences in the process:
- the purchasing data (PIR and PO) are under the responsibility of the supply chain manager
- the Inbound Delivery is created automatically when the shipping plant runs the shipment completion for the goods (in RCS). Consequence: in this case, the customs broker does not have to create the Inbound Delivery but still has to track down its reference to use it at the end of the UCR.
- To do so, he can use the report “ZWPU02” or check the order using “ME23N” transaction.
Case of Samples/ Ad hoc shipments
There are 2 types of samples shipment:
1. Standard product (with a material code and a tariff code) and standard Business Partner (with a code) => the flow is standard
However there might not be an entry in GTS work list because the usual triggers ("shipment completion" on the export side and "Purchase Order" and "Goods Receipt" on the import side) do not necessarily exist for those flows.
- Manual declaration in GTS
The customs broker contacts the plant to get the material and the Business Partner codes. He is then able to use them in the manual declaration.
2. The material or the Business Partner doesn't exist in RCS => one off flow / off system
- Manual declaration in GTS
The customs broker refers to the user guide IMPORT to process the manual declaration in GTS.
- Material: the material description can be maintained directly in GTS
- Tariff code: the customs broker requests it by email to douane-rhodia-operations@solvay.com (generic email address of the CTC).
- Partner: if the partner doesn't exist as such in RCS, the customs broker needs to use the "GENERIQUE" Business Partner. In this case, he sends an email to GTS maintenance team (SBS-IS-APPLI-HELP@solvay.com) indicating:
- Function: vendor or customer or forwarder, etc
- Name of the partner
- Address of the partner
The GTS maintenance team updates the generic Business Partner with the information provided.
Amendments to entries
If someone notices an error has been made; the following persons must be immediately informed:
- The customs broker
- The supply chain manager of the concerned plant if needed
- CTC
- IT team if there is a technical issue/action
1. Amendment / Cancellations less than 24 hrs after the clearance has been confirmed:
- the customs broker re sends the declaration to CHIEF in GTS
2. Amendment / Cancellations more than 24 hrs after the clearance has been confirmed:
If it’s not possible to amend the declaration in CHIEF the Finance Controller liaises with the customs broker (import expert) and refers to Information Paper 66/10.
A manual amendment can be requested up to 3 months after the declaration
A request for amendment if money is at stake (under/overpayment of VAT/duties) must be sent on form C285 and sent to CNAT team. See Information Paper 66/10.
Application for repayment_remission.pdf
How and when to contact the CFSP National Assurance Team (CNAT).pdf
Appendices
Adjustments related to Logistics costs in the import declaration
5. Monthly report communication
At the end of globalization period and before the 4th working day of the month following the reporting period, the dedicated customs broker sends the monthly report of duties and taxes due to the accounting front office. This monthly report should mostly include Solvay purchase order ref as well as the amount of duties and taxes paid.
SD AMENDMENTS
In case of any errors or omissions on SD declarations, the corrections should occur as soon as possible. If the dedicated broker notices any error within 24 hours of submission, he may be able to cancel or amend the SD via CHIEF. If it’s later than that, he must contact the HMRC CFSP team via email at CFSP_cope@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.
6. Archive
The dedicated customs broker archives customs entries as well as all documents related to within 4 years.
7. Customs controls
In case of customs control on importation, the dedicated customs broker contacts CTC. For documentary control, the dedicated customs broker provided to HMRC all documents used for customs entries. In case of physical control, the dedicated customs broker informs CTC as well as Supply Chain manager of UK plant.
8. Instructions update
CTC updates the permanent import instruction in case of any change in regulation.
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