Measure conditions
- What measure conditions are
- How conditions are structured
- Condition codes
- Action codes
- How conditions are used
- Grouping condition codes
-
Condition codes in detail
- Condition code A: Presentation of an anti-dumping/countervailing document
- Condition codes B, C and H: Presentation of a certificate/licence/document
- Condition code E
- Condition code I
- Condition code F
- Condition code L: CIF price must be higher than the minimum price
- Condition code M
- Condition code Q: Presentation of an endorsed certificate/licence
- Condition code R
- Condition code U
- Condition code V – The Entry Price System
- Condition code Y: Other conditions
- Condition code Z: Presentation of more than one certificate
- Validation rules
What measure conditions are
Measure conditions specify when there are conditions that must be met. For example, when documentation is required, such as veterinary documents.
Not all measures apply in all circumstances. Approximately half of all measures are usable by traders only under certain conditions.
In the Tariff, the conditions for a commodity code are listed under the ‘conditions’ column.
How conditions are structured
The following diagrams illustrate the primary data fields associated with a measure condition, and the relationships of the measure conditions with other data entities. Focus on measure conditions, measures and measure condition components, as the rest are foreign key tables.
| Field | Data type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| oid | integer (PK) | primary key of the individul record – see document on keys |
| measure_condition_sid | integer | Unique identifier for the measure condition |
| measure_sid | integer (FK) | Foreign key to the measure table via its unique identifier. A condition is only ever related to a single measure and not shared across multiple measures |
| condition_code | varchar(255) | Despite the 255 character length, this is actually a 1-digit character code, as per slide “Condition codes currently in use” above |
| component_sequence_number | integer | The sequence in which the conditions are to be listed – is most important with sequentially listed condition types, such as V (Entry Price System). Note that the sequence starts from 1 for each condition code (so that to get final order, sort both by condition code and component sequence number). |
| condition_duty_amount | float | The trigger price that causes a give condition to take effect |
| condition_monetary_unit_code | varchar(255) (FK) | The monetary unit of that trigger price |
| condition_measurement_unit_code | varchar(3) (FK) | The measurement unit of that trigger price |
| condition_measurement_unit_qualifier_code | varchar(1) (FK) | The measurement unit qualifier of that trigger price |
| action_code | varchar(255) (FK) | The action to take in response to a condition being met |
| certificate_type_code | varchar(1) (FK) | The type of certificate required (if needed) |
| certificate_code | varchar(3) (FK) | The specific certificate required (if needed) |
Condition codes
A condition code identifies what condition must be fulfilled for the action to be carried out.
Some condition codes refer to a minimum or maximum import price. This is known as a reference price or trigger price.
There are 2 main types of condition code:
- Is the documentation correct
- Is the price higher than a reference price
Note that some condition codes may fall into both of these types, and can require either documentation or a price.
Does the trader have the right documentation?
| Condition Code | Description |
|---|---|
| A | Presentation of an anti-dumping/countervailing document |
| B | Presentation of a certificate/licence/document |
| C | Presentation of a certificate/licence/document |
| E | The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document |
| H | Presentation of a certificate/licence/document |
| I | The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document |
| K | Also applicable simultaneously with tariff quota shown in the field “certificates” |
| P | Only particular ingredients are eligible for export refund |
| Q | Presentation of an endorsed certificate/licence |
| Y | Other conditions |
| Z | Presentation of more than one certificate |
| Last updated 18 Apr 2024 | |
See the SQL query that generated this tableThis table was automatically generated from the open SQLite database providing the UK Tariff. The following query was used to generate the table: SELECT code AS "Condition Code",
description AS "Description"
FROM measure_condition_codes
INNER JOIN common_version_groups
ON measure_condition_codes.trackedmodel_ptr_id = common_version_groups.current_version_id
WHERE accepts_certificate = 1
ORDER BY code
|
|
Is the price higher than a reference price?
| Condition Code | Description |
|---|---|
| E | The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document |
| F | The net free at frontier price before duty must be equal to or greater than the minimum price (see components) |
| G | The CIF price plus the duty to be paid/ton must be equal to or greater than the minimum price (see components) |
| I | The quantity or the price per unit declared, as appropriate, is equal or less than the specified maximum, or presentation of the required document |
| L | CIF price must be higher than the minimum price (see components) |
| M | Declared price must be equal to or greater than the minimum price/reference price (see components) |
| N | The CIF price before duty must be equal to or greater than the minimum price (see components) |
| R | Ratio “net weight/supplementary unit” is equal to or higher than the condition amount |
| S | Lodgement of a security |
| U | Ratio “declared value/supplementary unit” should be higher than the condition amount |
| V | Import price must be equal to or greater than the entry price (see components) |
| Last updated 18 Apr 2024 | |
See the SQL query that generated this tableThis table was automatically generated from the open SQLite database providing the UK Tariff. The following query was used to generate the table: SELECT code AS "Condition Code",
description AS "Description"
FROM measure_condition_codes
INNER JOIN common_version_groups
ON measure_condition_codes.trackedmodel_ptr_id = common_version_groups.current_version_id
WHERE accepts_price = 1
ORDER BY code
|
|
Action codes
Action codes identify the type of action that will be taken in response to a condition code.
The following table lists the action codes that can be associated with a condition. The action code is mandatory – there is no value in a condition if no subsequent action is taken.
| ID | Description |
|---|---|
| 01 | Apply the amount of the action (see components) |
| 02 | Apply the difference between the amount of the action (see components) and the price at import |
| 03 | Apply the difference between the amount of the action (see components) and CIF price |
| 04 | The entry into free circulation is not allowed |
| 05 | Export is not allowed |
| 06 | Import is not allowed |
| 07 | Measure not applicable |
| 08 | Declared subheading not allowed |
| 09 | Import/export not allowed after control |
| 10 | Declaration to be corrected - box 33, 37, 38, 41 or 46 incorrect |
| 11 | Apply the difference between the amount of the action (see components) and the free at frontier price before duty |
| 12 | Apply the difference between the amount of the action (see components) and the CIF price before duty |
| 13 | Apply the difference between the amount of the action (see components) and the CIF price augmented with the duty to be paid per tonne |
| 14 | The exemption/reduction of the anti-dumping duty is not applicable |
| 15 | Apply the difference between the amount of the action (see components) and the price augmented with the countervailing duty (3,8%) |
| 16 | Export refund not applicable |
| 24 | Entry into free circulation allowed |
| 25 | Export allowed |
| 26 | Import allowed |
| 27 | Apply the mentioned duty |
| 28 | Declared subheading allowed |
| 29 | Import/export allowed after control |
| 30 | Suspicious case |
| 34 | Apply exemption/reduction of the anti-dumping duty |
| 36 | Apply export refund |
| Last updated 18 Apr 2024 | |
See the SQL query that generated this tableThis table was automatically generated from the open SQLite database providing the UK Tariff. The following query was used to generate the table: SELECT code AS "ID",
description AS "Description"
FROM measure_actions
INNER JOIN common_version_groups
ON measure_actions.trackedmodel_ptr_id = common_version_groups.current_version_id
ORDER BY code
|
|
Action codes that go together
Many of the action codes are part of an action code pair. The smaller of the 2 is usually the negative action. The larger is the complementary positive action.
The following table shows the pairs of action codes that always go together.
| Pair | Description |
|---|---|
| 04 is paired with 24 | The entry into free circulation is not allowed / Entry into free circulation allowed |
| 05 is paired with 25 | Export is not allowed / Export allowed |
| 06 is paired with 26 | Import is not allowed / Import is allowed |
| 07 is paired with 27 | Measure not applicable / Apply the mentioned duty |
| 08 is paired with 28 | Declared subheading not allowed / Declared subheading allowed |
| 09 is paired with 29 | Import / export not allowed after control / Import/export allowed after control |
| 14 is paired with 34 | The exemption / reduction of the anti-dumping duty is not applicable / Apply exemption / reduction of the anti-dumping duty |
| 16 is paired with 36 | Export refund not applicable / Apply export refund |
How conditions are used
Conditions on a measure are generally set up into a few separate configurations, documented by this flow diagram:
Grouping condition codes
Conditions are grouped together according to their condition code.
Within that group, the individual conditions are grouped together in an ‘or’ relationship.
For example, a measure has four conditions. Two in condition group B (B1 and B2), and two in condition group E (E1 and E2). At least one condition in each group needs to be met, but within the group it does not matter which condition is met, so long as one of them is. Thus the satisfaction requirements are (Condition B1 OR Condition B2) AND (Condition E1 or Condition E2)
Condition codes in detail
Condition code A: Presentation of an anti-dumping/countervailing document
Condition code A modifies the circumstances of an anti-dumping or anti-subsidy duty depending on the conditions stated.
There are 3 scenarios in which this condition code is used. Two of these have two related and opposite action codes:
- Scenario 1 – apply conditional duties depending on supply of document
- Scenario 2 – determine if the trade can go ahead
- Scenario 3 - determine applicability of exemption/reduction of the anti-dumping duty
Scenario 1 – apply conditional duties depending on supply of document
This is the most common application of conditional duties for trade remedy-related measures. The applicable duty can be conditional on the supply of a document - if the document is supplied, the duty is reduced.
Scenario 2 – determine if the trade can go ahead at all
This scenario features a pair of action codes which are always supplied together and are opposites of each other.
This scenario is not currently in use.
Scenario 3 – determining applicability of exemption/reduction of the anti-dumping duty
As with scenario 2, this features a pair of conditions with complementing action codes that are always found together. Though not completely defunct, this scenario is used only 3 times in current measures by the EU.
Anti-dumping duty will be waived or reduced according to the legislation.
Condition codes B, C and H: Presentation of a certificate/licence/document
Codes C and H are used when multiple sets of condition using the same mechanic need to be applied to the same measure.
Codes B, C and H need a certificate or other document to be presented in order for the requirement to be fulfilled.
Condition codes C and H are identical to condition code B. There is no obvious reason why C or H might be used instead of B.
Condition code E
This condition code is a combination of a quantitative restriction and a need for a document. A trade will be allowed if the volume of goods is either of the following:
- lower than the defined threshold weight (or other unit)
- a document is provided that permits the trade in a larger volume of goods
The criteria that define these 2 conditions are set in the measure condition data. In the case of a threshold, the value of the threshold is given under the condition_duty_amount and the unit is given under condition_measurement_unit_code. In the case of a document the cerificate type and code are given under certificate_code and certificate_type_code.
Condition code I
These condition codes are currently used only with measure types 751 and 755 (import and export control of waste).
They work the same way as condition code E.
Type I is only ever used in conjunction with type E to present a send condition set of the same type. It is never used on its own.
Condition code F
These conditions allow duties to be charged against imported goods subject to anti-dumping or anti-subsidy duties that are dependent upon the unit price of the import.
It is used less often than condition code A, which also applies conditions to the trade of goods subject to an anti-dumping or anti-subsidy duty.
There are 119 instances of condition code F being used and more than 17,000 instances of condition code A.
The following shows measure 3571830 on commodity 2933610000 (melamine). There are 2 F-type conditions (1175828 and 1175829), which are dependent on the import price and the duties are set accordingly.
What these conditions say is if the good is imported at a price of higher than €1153 per tonne, then apply zero additional punitive duty . If the import of the good is at a lower price, apply the difference between the import price and the punitive duty. This sets a minimum import.
In the data, we first check the condition with sequence number 1, this condition is satisfied if the duty is above €1153 per tonne, in which case the component duty of zero (null) is applied (as per action code 01 - apply the amount of the action), and the second condition is ignored.
If (and only if) the first condition is not satisfied, we check against the condition with sequence number 2. This has no duty requirement, so will always apply. Action code 11 indicates to apply the difference between the amount of the action (in this case the component duty of €1153) and the price before duty.
| Condition ID | Sequence Number | Condition Code | Condition Duty Amount | Monetary Unit Code | Measurement Unit Code | Action Code | Component Duty Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1175828 | 1 | F | 1153 | EUR | TNE | 01 | |
| 1175829 | 2 | F | EUR | TNE | 11 | 1153 | |
| Last updated 18 Apr 2024 | |||||||
See the SQL query that generated this tableThis table was automatically generated from the open SQLite database providing the UK Tariff. The following query was used to generate the table: SELECT mc.sid AS 'Condition ID',
mc.component_sequence_number AS 'Sequence Number',
mccd.code AS 'Condition Code',
mc.duty_amount AS 'Condition Duty Amount',
money.code AS 'Monetary Unit Code',
units.code AS 'Measurement Unit Code',
ma.code AS 'Action Code',
mccp.duty_amount AS 'Component Duty Amount'
FROM measure_conditions AS mc
INNER JOIN measure_condition_codes AS mccd ON mc.condition_code_id = mccd.trackedmodel_ptr_id
LEFT JOIN measure_monetary_units AS money ON mc.monetary_unit_id = money.trackedmodel_ptr_id
LEFT JOIN measure_measurements AS mm ON mc.condition_measurement_id = mm.trackedmodel_ptr_id
LEFT JOIN measure_measurements_units AS units ON mm.measurement_unit_id = units.trackedmodel_ptr_id
LEFT JOIN measure_actions AS ma ON mc.action_id = ma.trackedmodel_ptr_id
LEFT JOIN measure_condition_components AS mccp ON mccp.condition_id = mc.trackedmodel_ptr_id
WHERE mc.sid = '1175828' OR mc.sid = '1175829'
|
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Condition code L: CIF price must be higher than the minimum price
Condition code L is always applied to measures of type 652 in the TARIC (additional duty based on CIF price). It is no longer used in the UK.
Condition code M
Condition code M is used in 2 circumstances. The first is in managing supplied credibility checks of the following type:
- 430 Control of particulars of the declaration (suspicious value/net weight or value/supplementary unit)
- 483 Declaration of subheading submitted to restrictions (value)
A credibility check is a mechanism that is employed in a border system to attempt to reduce errors in declarations. It does this by enforcing a check on the weight versus item count ratio of a declaration, for example.
430 and 483 are measures (along with 431) are used to ensure that discrepancies are avoided.
The second circumstance deals with Trade Remedies. The existing conditions of this type are against measure type ID 552 (definitive anti-dumping duty). There’s no reason why these would not also be assigned to measure types 551, 553 and 554.
These conditions behave more or less the same as condition type F, where the applicable punitive duty is dependent on the declared price.
Condition code Q: Presentation of an endorsed certificate/licence
Condition type Q is used in all cases where a measure is put in place to represent a licensed quota. And in all cases it refers to the single licence Y100 (special entries on the import licence AGRIM). It is only used for licensed and origin quotas in measures of the following type:
- 122 Non preferential tariff quota
- 123 Non preferential tariff quota under end-use
- 142 Tariff preference
- 143 Preferential tariff quota
Condition code R
This is used to apply conditions to credibility checks to ensure the weight looks right against the number of declared goods. The supplementary unit identifies what additional unit beyond the KGM weight must be supplied by the trader on declaring their import.
Condition code U
This is used to apply conditions to credibility checks to ensure the declared value looks right against the number of declared goods. The supplementary unit identifies what additional unit beyond the kilogramme weight must be supplied by the trader on declaring their import.
Condition code V – The Entry Price System
The Entry Price System (EPS) is a complex mechanism to apply tiered duties to 31 agricultural products, mostly fruit. The UK does not use the EPS.
Condition code Y: Other conditions
These miscellaneous conditions are linked to in a similar way that certificates are referenced - using the certificate type code and certificate code fields. Some examples of conditions that are referenced by condition code Y are as follows:
- Y019 Request for preferential treatment for Iceland
- Y021 Request for EEA preferential treatment
- Y034 Derogation from export prohibition by virtue of Article 4.1 of Council Regulation (EU) 2017/1509
- Y037 Goods exempted from the prohibition – biathlon equipment
None of the conditions linked to via the condition code ‘Y’ utilise the price threshold fields.
Condition code Z: Presentation of more than one certificate
At the moment this condition code is only used on national P and R measures.
The following are the measure types where Z is used:
- ATT Attestation Document (horticulture and potatoes)
- CEX DCMS Open General Export Licence
- COE Home Office Controlled Drugs (export)
- COI HMI Conformity Certificate (fruit and veg) issued in UK
- EQC Certificate of Conformity
- HOP Home Office Precursor Chemical Authorisation
- PRE Home Office Precursor Chemicals
- PRT Home Office Controlled Drugs (import)
There is no reason why this condition code should be used in preference to B, C or H.
There are occasions where the Z type is used, but only one positive condition is included.
Validation rules
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| ActionRequiresDuty | If a condition’s action code requires a duty, then an associated condition component must be created with a duty amount. |
| ConditionCodeAcceptance | If a condition has a certificate, then the condition’s code must accept a certificate. If a condition has a duty amount, then the condition’s code must accept a price. |
| MC1 | Uniqueness rule for codes of measure conditions. |
| MC3 | Validity contained rule for measure condition codes used in measures. |
| MC4 | Deletion while in use rule for measure condition codes that are used in a measure condition component. |
| ME56 | Mandatory subrecord rule for referenced certificates. |
| ME57 | Validity contained rule for certificates referenced by measures. |
| ME58 | The same certificate, volume or price can only be referenced once by the same measure and the same condition type. |
| ME59 | Mandatory subrecord rule for referenced action codes. |
Read more in the system documentation.