Contingency Plans to Ensure Supply of Medical Devices and Clinical Consumables from EU

Steve Oldfield, the Chief Commercial Officer of the DHSC, has communicated information regarding the Government’s contingency plans in order to ensure the continuity of supply of Medical Devices and Clinical Consumables (MDCC) products from EU into the UK in the event of a ‘No Deal’ EU Exit. As part of this, a Dedicated Shipment Channel (DSC) has been established for MDCC products that are not stocked in the UK and are routinely shipped to order from the EU with short lead times (24 to 72 hours).

DHSC would like to draw your attention that in order to gain access to this contingency measure suppliers are required to have registered via an online portal: https://shipper.mixmovematch.com/RegisterDSCSupplier

If you have not registered. This means that, at present, you will be unable to access the Dedicated Shipment Channel.

Why Register

As a supplier of MDCC products, DHSC have identified that you may require use of a short lead time import solution; if you have received this guidance and registered via the portal, then you are likely to be eligible to use the DSC. Further information on the DSC is attached.

All registered suppliers will be able to request access to the DSC via the National Supply Disruption Response (NSDR) system as outlined in the letter from Steve Oldfield on 26 March 2019.  Access to the DSC will be granted based on the needs of the Health and Social Care systems across the UK and Crown Dependencies.

There is also no requirement for suppliers to use the DSC and they should exhaust all other options prior to requesting access, including the Government Secured Freight Capacity. Guidance on accessing the Government Secured Freight Capacity is also attached. However, if you think there is any possibility that you will need to use the Dedicated Shipment Channel, please register as soon as possible, as unregistered suppliers cannot be granted access.

How to Register

In order to register please visit https://shipper.mixmovematch.com/RegisterDSCSupplier and complete the registration form. In order to utilise the DSC for shipment you are required to complete all sections of the form. Please pay particular attention to the points below.

In order to ship your products by Road we require the following pieces of information:

• EORI Number
• UK VAT Number

In order to ship your products by Road AND Air we require the following pieces of information:

• EORI Number
• UK VAT Number
• Broker’s name for Birmingham Airport
• Broker’s badge number for Birmingham Airport

To support you in completion of the registration form an FAQ document is available in a green link at the top of the registration form.

Further Information

1. EORI Number

• To move goods into or out of the EU you need an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) uses this number to identify you and collect duty on your goods.
• You may have increased costs and delays if you do not get an EORI number. For example, if HMRC cannot clear your goods you may have to pay storage fees.
• If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, you’ll need an EORI number that starts with GB to continue trading with the EU. If you do not already have one, you can apply now, even if you do not use it.
• Further information and registration can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/eori

1. VAT Account

• Advice and guidance on VAT in the UK can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration

1. Customs Broker details:

• Customs Broker details are required in order that your product will be able to pass through customs on arrival at Birmingham Airport.
• Without this information your shipments will be limited to the sea transport solution

If you have any further questions not covered in the FAQs, please contact mdcc-contingencyplanning@dhsc.gov.uk and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.

EU Exit Team

Department of Health and Social Care

mdcc-contingencyplanning@dhsc.gov.uk