Automatic License Verification System (ALVS)

The Automatic License Verification System (ALVS) for imports of plants, flowers, fruit and vegetables that are regulated by Fera's Plant Health & Seeds Inspectors (PHSI) and RPA's Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate (HMI) is a new system being implemented by the UK International Trade Single Window Project (a cross-government initiative between Business Link, HMRC & Defra). Automatic License Verification (ALV) will result in faster, electronic clearance of Customs Route 1 consignments containing PHSI and HMI regulated produce. Once a HMI or PHSI release decision is shown on Peach and the customs declaration has been submitted then clearance times are reduced from 2 hours to approx 10-15 minutes. Trade also benefit as they will no longer need to supply copies of Conformity Certificates and/or QRC's to the HMRC National Clearance Hub.

Following a 5 month pilot HMRC and Defra (RPA/Fera) are now planning a phased roll out of ALV across the horticultural imports industry before all PHSI/HMI regulated imports are routed through ALV from January 2010. 54 Agents and Importers have so far opted to have their imports routed through ALV so that they can take advtantage of the faster clearance times and reduced administration that ALV delivers. The response to ALV has been very positive - click here to read some of the comments made by the Trade.

Any Importer/Agent who also wishes to make use of ALV before the full launch can do so from the following date:

• 30th November 2009

If you are interested in joining the pilot, or would like more details on ALV, then please email

. To start to use ALV on 30th November you will need to complete the HMRC set-up questionnaire and return it to the ALV registrations email address.

HMRC and Defra have already run ALV Briefing Sessions for the Trade in London, Felixstowe, Manchester and Peterborough. To view the slides from the Trade Briefing Sessions please click here.

There is one further Briefing Session planned:

• Wednesday 25th November, 13.00hrs at the Touchbase Meeting Rooms, Premier Inn Heathrow, 15 Bath Road, Harlington, Hounslow, TW6 2AB.

The session will last for 3 hours and reps from HMRC, Fera and HMI will be in attendance. To apply for a place at this Briefing Session please email

.

Further background information about the system and FAQs are available, along with a Trade Information Paper which provides details of the impact of ALV for importers and agents.

The key to ensuring swift release of consignments under ALV is to ensure that the DUCR (Document Unique Consignment Reference) entered onto the advance notification of import submitted to Fera/RPA on the PEACH system, exactly matches that entered on the Import Declaration to HMRC.

The PEACH contingency procedures have also been updated to include ALV planned/unplanned outages.