OPSS controls are set in the UK’s import controls system’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS) and Customs Handling of Import Freight (CHIEF). Importers or agents importing non-food products may receive an entry route notification informing that the entry has been selected for intervention.
A route 1S notification means Trading Standards are involved in the consignment and you must present all the following documents to OPSS:
- Entry acceptance advice
- Copy of the single administrative declaration
- Invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading
- Appropriate licences or certificates
For CDS consignments, the documents are sent via secure document upload onto the CDS system.
For CHIEF consignments, these documents must be sent to opss.borders@businessandtrade.gov.uk. Note, the subject header must include the entry number and entry date.
This documentation will be assessed by the Border Profiling Unit at OPSS and may be referred to Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team for further checks. You will be notified if Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team places a hold on Destin8.
If a hold notification is placed on Destin8, this means that Officers from Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team will be conducting a physical inspection of goods in the importer’s consignment. Suffolk Trading Standards Imports team notifies Felixstowe Port or the relevant ETSF (External Temporary Storage Facility) where the goods are being held, that the consignment needs to be inspected.
When the Port/ ETSF have prepared the consignment ready for examination, our Import Surveillance Officers attend the Port/ETSF to carry out the inspection. The team take samples of goods and will contact importers and agents if further information is required. Such information might include the Declaration of Conformity for certain products (such as toys, electrical equipment and machinery) as well as supporting technical and compliance documentation including test reports.
Consignments are released if the goods are found to be compliant with all safety laws and standards. If goods are found to be non-compliant, they may be refused entry into the UK or in limited circumstances, may be released for further work under the supervision of the importer’s Local Trading Standards Authority. Unsafe goods may be refused entry and destroyed.
Further guidance can be found at Border controls for non-food products - GOV.UK
Contact Suffolk Trading Standards Imports Team
Contact OPSS Borders
Contact NCH
