DEFRA(UK) have started to advise that their processing and charging for transhipment of animal products through LHR is changing from 1st April 2007.

Pre-notification of all products of animal origin to DEFRA is a legal requirement. If a consignment arrives at LHR by air and leaves by air within 12hours, no checks are required. This time limit is taken from wheels down to wheels up.

If a consignment arrives by air and stays at LHR for between 12hours and 48hours before it leaves by air, then a documentary check is required.

This will require the completion of a CVED (Part 1 of which must be faxed to DEFRA as pre-notification) and the documents presented to DEFRA together with the appropriate payment.

It is important that the second carrier informs you of the departure time of the onward booking so that you can determine the level of checks required. The freight may be detained if the correct level of checks has not been carried out. If a consignment arrives by air and stays in LHR for more than 48hours before it leaves by air, full checks are required.

The freight must be transferred to the BIP and a CVED completed. Documents must be presented, together with the appropriate payment. The completed CVED and original documents (except the Health Certificate if going to a Member State) will be returned following a satisfactory inspection.

This means that any product of animal origin that is transshipped via stations in the UK must not only advise the Port of Health of the Arrival but complete a CVED and pay the charges in accordance with the attached charges list.

Charges must be paid to the port of Health prior to release of consignments for transfer. With breakdown, transfer to other carriers and loading by the on-forwarding carrier there will be occasions where transshipments are on the ground at LHR for longer than 12 hours. For shipments containing these animal products please ensure that from 1st April 2007 you check the timings for the on-forwarding flight, and where necessary inform the shippers that extra charges will be levied. In the case of a delay to the on-forwarding flight, please be aware that this may impact on the 12 hour time limit.

All customers will need to set up an account with the Port of Health for these charges to be billed to you. Alternatively we are willing for the charges to be billed to Menzies Aviation, and we will then re-charge accordingly under the terms of your contract. Please be advised that Menzies Aviation will charge a flat rate of £15.50 per shipment to the Carrier for the completion of the CVED and the presentation of documents to the Port of Health