National Clearance Hub
Using the National Clearance Hub service for import and export declarations and Post Clearance functions.
The National Clearance Hub (NCH) is the single national site that handles the movement of third country goods and processes goods transiting the European Community (EC). It replaced the separate entry processing units that used to operate at major ports and airports.
The NCH is the only centralised clearance hub in the EC, processing some 360,000 import/export declarations each year. The service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The NCH is also responsible for the control and amendment of entries after clearance.
This guide explains the responsibilities and service levels of the NCH and the different routes to clear consignments.
National Clearance Hub responsibilities
National Clearance Hub processes import and export declarations according to service level guidelines.
The main responsibilities of the NCH are:
- processing all import and export entries selected for further checks
- inputting manual import and export entries
- inputting manual requests for export arrival and departure loading information
- controlling un-entered goods for inventory linked ports and airports
- authorising and amending inventory records and removals
- the control of goods imported under specific import regimes
Service levels you can expect from the NCH
The NCH aims to clear all Direct Trader Input (DTI) Route 1 entries within two hours from the time of receipt. For pre-lodged entries, the NCH aims to clear within two hours of the vessel or aircraft's arrival. These times depend on all the relevant paperwork being presented, complete and correct.
Route 1 entries are dealt with in the order that they are presented at the NCH and no priority is given to specific locations or type of goods, including perishables.
Goods that require exceptional treatment are:
- fireworks and explosives
- live animals
- human remains
When sending these entries to the NCH, you should show clearly what the goods are Trader Submission header form you send.
Read more about .
How declarations are processed at the National Clearance Hub
Direct Trader Input imports and National Export System declarations submitted to the National Clearance Hub.
The procedures for Direct Trader Input (DTI) import and National Export System (NES) declarations are outlined below. Read about how to register for the National Export System to make an export declaration.
You must submit certain documents for clearance and/or examination to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) when you are moving goods under either DTI or NES. Read more about contacting the National Clearance Hub.
Documents to be provided for clearance
When you receive Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) generated form E2 advising that an entry for your goods has been selected Route 1 for documentary check, Route 2 for physical examination or Route 0 you must send the National Clearance Hub (NCH):
- the E2
- a copy of the Single Administrative Document - form C88
- evidence of the goods' value
- packing list of items included
- any appropriate licence or certificate
You can send this information by fax or email and it must be accompanied by an appropriate Trader Submission header form.
Use a separate header for each entry - even where a number of declarations are submitted at the same time. There may be delays to clearance if the appropriate header isn't used.
If you wish to submit declarations electronically you should use e-versions of the same headers. These must show the CHIEF generated entry number on the 'subject' line.
The NCH can receive popular file formats such as JPEG, TIF and PDF files. If you want to use compressed images or non-PC files, you should send a prearranged test email to check that the scanned documents are compatible with HMRC software.
Multi-item entries or multi-importer/exporter entries
HMRC is keen to ensure that the minimum amount of paperwork is submitted to the NCH for clearance to take place. When an entry that has multiple lines is selected for Route 1 or Route 2, contact the NCH enquiry point to determine what paperwork needs to be faxed or emailed for clearance.
Evidence of value
It's your responsibility to fax or email enough copy documentation to provide 'representative evidence' for the value of the total consignment.
When submitting multi-invoice entries you should fax or email all the invoices relating to the entry, or .
You will be advised via the CHIEF system if further documents are needed for clearance.
Packing lists
Where an entry is accompanied by a number of packing lists, you can schedule these using an amended version of the HMRC example invoice summary form and fax or email the schedule to the NCH with all other appropriate documentation.
Receipts
You will receive an automatic delivery receipt for email but not for fax submissions.
Pre-lodgement entries
This is the posting, faxing and/or emailing copies of the (accepted) hold import entry and any 91香蕉黄色视频ing documents to the National Clearance Hub, post pre-entry but pre-arrival of the vessel/goods into the UK.
Pre-lodgement of expected Route 1 and Route 2 entries and any 91香蕉黄色视频ing documents by fax, post and/or email at the NCH will be limited to five actual days prior to the expected/scheduled arrival of the vessel/goods. This period includes weekends and bank holidays.
Pre-lodgement is only provided by HMRC to enable importers/agents to lodge their accepted hold entries which they know, or honestly believe, will be allocated a Route 1 or Route 2 status. This means that the NCH no longer accepts and/or actions large amounts of unsorted pre-lodged entries, many of which ultimately proved to be Route 6 ones.
Queried entries to the National Clearance Hub
Procedure when the National Clearance Hub has a query about an import or export entry.
If you used the CHIEF system
The National Clearance Hub may query a declaration that has been selected for a check. You should respond to this query through the method you used to submit your declaration.
This makes sure the National Clearance Hub know the query has been answered and should prevent delays. If you do not respond through the method you used to submit your declaration, there will be delays to your clearance.
If a query means that you need to change a declaration, you must submit a copy of the amended declaration.
If your declaration has been amended and has a Route 3 ICS22 status. HMRC must manually clear the goods. You will need to complete your declaration the same as a Route 1 declaration and you should submit documents about your goods to the National Clearance Hub. You鈥檒l need a separate header for each declaration if you submitted by email.
If you used the Customs Declaration Service
If a query is raised by the National Clearance Hub about your goods the query will be sent to your secure inbox on the online service, which is accessed from .
Responding to queries through the secure 2-way messaging should prevent any delays which would occur if you do not reply.
If you need to change an import declaration following a query, then you will need to send an amendment to change your declaration.
If you need to cancel an import entry declaration you need to request cancellation with reason for request for the National Clearance Hub to approve.
This does not apply to Pre-Lodged declarations that have not been arrived.
If you need to change an export declaration following a query, you must check with your software provider that they have the functionality to allow this. If your provider cannot do this, you will need to cancel and resubmit your declaration.
National Clearance Hub entries subject to Route 3 post-clearance profiles
ICS22, ICS00/ICS25, pre-lodged entries, and record keeping.
Various procedures apply after submission of entries.
Uncleared Route 3 entries ICS22
Where a Route 3 entry has been amended and becomes an ICS22 status on the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) must clear the release of the goods. The entry is treated the same as a Route 1 entry and you should fax the entry form to the National Clearance Hub (NCH) with the appropriate header sheet for action. You must include an appropriate header and provide a separate header for each entry. There may be delays to clearance if an appropriate header isn't used.
Route 3 entries ICS00/ICS25
All original import Route 3 entry documentation must arrive at the NCH for post-clearance action within three working days from the date and time of clearance. This time limit does not apply to pre-lodged entries. A freepost service is available to assist in meeting this requirement. Read moer about contacting the National Clearance Hub.
For bulk EUR1s, ATR1s and GSP certificates, you should send the original document with the first Route 3 entry. Subsequent Route 3s should be accompanied by a copy of the appropriate preference certificate. Box 44 of the entry should show the entry number to which the original has been attached.
You should only send export Route 3 original documentation to the NCH if there is a copy 3 that requires stamping.
You should use A4 envelopes if possible and Route 3 entries should be sent to the NCH each day. Entries received will be audited and there are penalties for not complying with these requirements.
Non-presentation of entries
The NCH will undertake regular checks to ensure that all declarations subject to Route 1 and/or Route 3 profiles have been presented as required. There are penalties for regularly failing to submit entries.
Retention of records
All original Route 1 entries and any 91香蕉黄色视频ing documents submitted, processed and cleared by fax or email at the NCH are to be retained by the trade for four years. This also applies to Route 6 declarations. This includes originals of fax/email copy entries and 91香蕉黄色视频ing documents submitted to the NCH for customs input.
In this context 'the trade' means the:
- third party making the declaration - usually a customs agent - as a direct or indirect representative
- importer or exporter where the declaration is made under self representation
Documentary evidence may be stored electronically if a copy of the original document can be reproduced from it. Documents that contain original stamps or watermarks, eg preference certificates, must be retained as paper copies.
HMRC will keep original entries and 91香蕉黄色视频ing documents only if they have been pre-lodged with the NCH for clearance.
Further National Clearance Hub documentation requirements
Documents needed for manual submissions, known as Customs Input Entries.
Customs Input Entries (CIE)
You can fax, email or post copies of entries and 91香蕉黄色视频ing documents to the National Clearance Hub (NCH) for customs input, processing and clearance.
You will need to provide the NCH with:
- a fully completed Single Administrative Document - form C88
- evidence of the goods' value
- packing list of items included
- any appropriate licence or certificate
When sending entries, you should use an appropriate header, clearly marked 'CIE imports', to avoid delays to clearance. For more information, you can contact the NCH Enquiry Line on Tel 03000 588 453 or see how to contact the National Clearance Hub.
The NCH will return any queries or entries requiring amendment by email, fax or post.
The NCH processes CIE requests between 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. It aims to clear all CIE Route 1 entries within 12 working hours from the time of receipt - provided all the relevant paperwork is presented, complete and correct.
Importation of motor vehicles using the National Clearance Hub
Documentation you should submit when importing motor vehicles.
HMRC no longer issue C&E 386 and C&E 388. After all the checks are complete and satisfied, the importers details are placed on Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (NOVA). The Service Level Agreement on cars is 3 working days. The NCH is a processing office only and doesn't give general advice about importing motor vehicles.
For general advice on importing motor vehicles contact the HMRC VAT Helpline on Telephone: 0300 200 3700.
Forms required to import vehicles
You will have to submit specific forms when importing a vehicle. The form needed depends on your reasons for importing the vehicle.
If you are a private importer paying VAT/duty you must submit:
- a copy of the customs entry and invoice
- any other available 91香蕉黄色视频ing documentary evidence of the sale
- Import and Export: private motor vehicle application for release for conditions of relief is required if there was no custom declaration instead of a C384.
If you are an importer using transfer of residence (TOR) procedures you must submit:
- a copy of Customs overseas entry registration form
- any other 91香蕉黄色视频ing evidence to justify TOR relief, eg overseas insurance documents or the invoice from overseas purchase
- C104A application for transfer of residence - this document can be downloaded or alternatively you can order it from Telephone: 0300 200 3700
- proof of residency, an official/commercial document which shows clearly that the importer declared on form C104A and form C21 Import and export: customs clearance request was living abroad for at least 12 months prior to the date they became resident in the UK, eg a utility bill, bank statement etc
- proof of ownership for the vehicle, an official/commercial document which shows clearly that the importer declared on form C21 and form C104A has owned and used the vehicle abroad for at least 6 months prior to the date they became resident in the UK, eg insurance documents, title document etc
Importers must have lived outside the European Community for 12 months and have owned the vehicle for six months.
If you are an importer claiming returned goods relief (RGR) you must submit:
- a copy of customs entry certificate
- the vehicle's export certificate
- the vehicle's overseas registration document
- any other 91香蕉黄色视频ing evidence of eligibility for RGR
Importers must have owned the vehicle prior to exportation and must re-import it within three years. You must also be able to provide documentary proof of these facts.
The NCH does not issue documents for VAT-registered traders, who should now input the details onto NOVA or alternatively contact Dover Personal 91香蕉黄色视频 Unit (PTU).
Contacting the National Clearance Hub
Contact details for the National Clearance Hub.
For general enquires regarding import, export, international trade and the National Cearance Hub (NCH) please contact the HMRC Customs and International Trade Helpline on Telephone: 0300 200 3700.
You can also contact NCH using an online form, webchat or by post. .
Complaints
If you have any complaints regarding the NCH you can contact them by email: noscomplaintsteamgrimsby@hmrc.gov.uk or by Telephone: 0300 200 3700. If you wish to send a complaint by post the address is:
Freepost RTGR-LSCG-LTJS
HM Revenue and Customs
National Clearance Hub
Ralli Quays
3 Stanley Street
Salford
M60 9LA