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<p>HM Revenue and Customs use a series of risk based controls to identify consignments
which should be subject to scrutiny following submission of customs declarations.
This minimises delays to legitimate trade and ensures the efficient use of resources
whilst effectively protecting society and tax revenue. As interventions are designed
to tackle non-compliance, customs control activity is sensitive and details are not
publicised.</p><p> </p><p>Between March 2017 and March 2018, approximately 98% of
consignments were cleared by customs within 30 minutes of being presented. Approximately
1% of the declarations were subject to further documentary scrutiny. HMRC endeavours
to complete these checks within 2 hours (in the case of exportations, air traffic
and roll-on roll-off ferries), and 3 hours (in the case of containerised maritime
arrivals). HMRC met these targets in 96% of cases during the period.</p><p> </p><p>The
remaining 1% of goods were either subject to physical controls, which will have delayed
clearance by over 3 hours, or did not clear due to additional complications, such
as being abandoned by the trader.</p><p> </p>
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