The new Automatic Licence Verification System (ALVS) which will reduce customs clearance times and paperwork for companies importing flowers, plants, fruit and vegetables into England and Wales from outside the EU, was launched on 16 February. Defra and HMRC have been running an extended live pilot of ALVS since March 2009. Many traders who volunteered to pilot the system have provided very positive feedback.
With ALVS customs clearance times will be reduced from 2 hours to approximately 10 minutes as it electronically links HMRC’s ‘CHIEF’ and RPA and FERA’s ‘PEACH’ systems. The introduction of ALVS also means that companies will no longer need to fax Conformity and Quarantine Release Certificates to HMRC’s National Clearance Hub for physical checks. Quick ALVS customs clearance will occur when Document Unique Consignment Reference, weight and commodity codes entered on the customs declaration exactly match the details entered onto the associated PEACH application.
Further information is at http://www.fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/plantHealth/imports/alvs.cfm (Link to an external site - Disclaimer 
).
Return to SITPRO News: Issue 71, Winter 2009/2010
