SPE15260 - Destruction: liability to customs debt

This manual will be archived on 15 December 2025. For up-to-date guidance on special procedures, please refer to Pay less or no duty on goods you store, repair, process or temporarily use (GOV.UK) and Customs Technical Handbooks (GOV.UK). If you have feedback about this manual being archived, email hmrcmanualsteam@hmrc.gov.uk.

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If the destruction of the original import goods creates a secondary product that has a commercial value, and it is not going to be re-exported, it must be released to free circulation on the basis of the description, value and duty rate applicable to the secondary product. It must be accounted for on a SAD C88 using either the normal procedures or CFSP.

If the goods are totally destroyed and rendered totally unusable by any person refer to SPE15175 for further information.

Note: Northern Ireland (NI) customs authorisations will continue to fall within the provisions of the Union Customs Code (UCC), as retained by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and CEMA 1979.