HMRC’s Joint Customs Consultative Committee (JCCC) has announced two new document codes for traders, following the entry into force today (22 July) of the Animal Welfare (Livestock Exports) Act 2024.
The act, which prohibits the “export of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and equine animals for slaughter or fattening for subsequent slaughter”, from Great Britain (GB) to EU members or third countries, offers just two exemptions which require traders to use the new codes.
The full notice from the JCCC can be found here.
Codes
Document code 9Y01 can be used when exporting livestock from Northern Ireland to either GB or directly to a third country.
However, the act also prohibits livestock transiting through GB when they’ll be slaughtered or fattened for slaughtered at their destination, so 9Y01 “cannot be used if goods are intended to transit through GB to a country outside of the UK”.
Document code 9Y02 can be used to claim an exemption if the livestock is being exported for purposes other than slaughter or fattening for subsequent slaughter, or if the livestock belongs to a species not listed in the legislation.
Pre-lodged declarations
Traders are reminded that any pre-lodged declarations for affected livestock which will arrive at their destination from today will not be considered valid if they don’t include code Y901 or 9Y02.
Declarations should be amended as soon as possible with either code, which JCCC highlighted “are available for immediate use”.
New ‘for slaughter’ exports
If livestock set for export for slaughter was previously granted a release for export, it should already have been exported prior to the ban coming into force.
From today, livestock can no longer be exported under the new law and declarations should be invalidated.