CCPG40400 - Non International Trade officers operational process: warning letter: who an authorising officer might be and what actions they should take

THIS GUIDANCE IS FOR NON INTERNATIONAL TRADE OFFICERS ONLY

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp Authorising officer for Non International Trade officers is the CPO.

»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp authorising officer will authorise the issue of the Civil Penalty Warning Letter (CPWL) by completing the Customs Penalty Action Checklist (CPAC).

Before authorising a warning letter, the authorising officer should:

  • Check that they have received all of the relevant paperwork
  • Completed draft CPWL
  • CPAC
  • All other supporting documents
  • Check that the warning letter is accurate in all respects
  • Have the correct trader particulars been included
  • Has the correct legislation been applied
  • Does the information recorded on the CPAC confirm that a warning letter is the best course of action to improve compliance
  • Has the compliance officer established whether there was a reasonable excuse that they should have considered
  • Have they identified if the trader has taken or is in the process of taking remedial action to improve compliance
  • Have they incorporated Right to be Heard (RTBH) into their decision to issue a warning letter if the contravention is under reason code 230 Failure to Produce

All of these factors must be considered to ensure we have a consistent approach to issuing warning letters.