How importers know if their inward processing authorisation is approved

Information on how importers know if their inward processing authorisation is approved.

If the authorisation is approved, they will be issued with an inward processing authorisation number with an approval notification detailing the conditions relating to its use including:

  • what goods and commodity codes importers are approved to receive and process under the IP authorisation
  • the maximum time importers can take to process the goods under the authorisation which is known as the period of discharge
  • any conditions relating to the re-export, disposal, and transfer of the processed products
  • what simplifications importers are approved to use along with IP
  • details of their Supervising Customs Office
  • the frequency that Bills of Discharge will need to be submitted to their Supervising Customs Office
  • If importers cannot meet the conditions set out in their IP authorisation, they should contact their Supervising Customs Office immediately as the authorisation may be revoked if they do not meet the requirements

If application for authorisation is not approved, a Right to Be Heard (RTBH) will be given with a 30-days to respond, then a final decision letter is sent if no satisfactory reply is received.