1. Non-preferential origin of incoming goods
Registration of the country of non-preferential origin of inbound parcels
When sending a nomination for an inbound shipment, the customer must indicate the non-preferential country of origin of the product. This information is required before the goods can be accepted at the terminal. VTTI does not permit the discharge of product for which the non-preferential country of origin is unknown.
When CS registers the incoming parcel in the terminal’s ERP system, the non-preferential country of origin stated in the nomination is recorded with the relevant parcel. The recorded origin remains linked to the parcel and forms part of the origin audit trail maintained in the ERP system.
Purpose and use
The non-preferential origin recorded for an inbound parcel forms part of the customs data VTTI maintains for the goods. The information enables VTTI to trace the origin information received from the customer throughout the storage period and to use it, where relevant, for customs declarations, reporting and statistical purposes, and in connection with audits or controls by the customs authorities.
The recorded inbound origin may also be relevant when goods are subsequently processed or blended at the terminal. In such cases, the origin information relating to the individual input materials is used, together with the operational and inventory data available in VTTI’s systems, to determine or substantiate the origin of the resulting outbound product.
More information on origin determination by VTTI is included in the Outbound section of this procedure.
Receipt and storage of supporting documentation
Where the customer provides supporting documentation in relation to the non-preferential origin (such as a certificate of origin or a supplier's declaration) for an incoming shipment, CS stores that document in the Document Management System (part of VTTI's ERP) with a reference to the respective parcel. CS records the relevant document data in the Cargo Documents module in ERP.
Reasonableness check
CS performs a reasonableness check on the country of origin indicated by the customer and the related supporting documentation provided.
- Whether the country of origin indicated by the customer is consistent with the other information and documentation available for the shipment. This includes, where relevant, the product information, transport documentation and any origin-related supporting documentation provided by the customer.
- Whether the supporting origin documentation appears complete, meets the applicable formal requirements and can reasonably be linked to the goods concerned.
The checklist for the reasonableness check is available here.
Follow-up and escalation
If the reasonableness check gives rise to any doubt, ambiguity or apparent error, CS will request clarification, correction or additional supporting documentation from the customer.
Where the matter cannot be resolved by CS or requires further customs expertise, CS will involve the terminal’s customs specialist. Depending on the complexity, potential financial impact or wider compliance implications of the matter, the terminal’s customs specialist may request support from CGT.
VTTI will not rely on the origin information or supporting documentation concerned for customs or compliance purposes while material concerns remain unresolved.