GS1 codes used to uniquely identify wine and spirits shipments for supply chain security and efficiency

London 17 September 2007 - GS1, the global standardisation body, today announced the successful completion of an international pilot project with the World Customs Organisation (WCO).  The pilot has proven that the GS1 Serial Shipping Container Code (SSCC) can be used as the Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) for the wine and spirits supply chain between Australia and the UK.  Unique identification of shipping containers is important for Customs for the purposes of security, consignment tracking, information consolidation, audit and reconciliation.  The SSCC can provide companies with enhanced traceability and security over international supply chains and reduced compliance costs. 

The UCR is a reference number developed by the WCO for cross-border shipments, to be assigned at the earliest possible stage in the supply chain which can be used by Customs to keep track of the international movement of goods. The SSCC is the GS1 unique identification number specifically developed for the identification of logistics units – items of any composition such as pallets, containers and cases - going through the supply chain.

The pilot project is the first documented example of cross-border UCR application and confirmed that the SSCC could be used as the unique reference which would provide customs administrations with access to key information such as transport, financial and commercial data. Michel Danet the Secretary-General of the WCO said, "Our pilot test with GS1 has demonstrated that its Serial Shipping Container Code can be used as a UCR to provide customs administrations and other stakeholders with the key data they require through the international supply chain.”

Use of SSCC could contribute to achievement of the Accredited Economic Operator (AEO) status which results in predictable and quicker clearance in collection from ports.  “The SSCC will greatly simplify and clarify data exchange and allow faster and more secure retrieval within the various IT systems through which the product information flows en route to its final destination” said Philip Goodband, Co-chair of the consortium and Consultant Master of Wine at Constellation Europe. “We believe that legitimate traders would benefit by being classified as AEO which will in turn facilitate predictable, faster clearance of their wines and make significant, tangible cost savings."

Mr Vivian O’horo from HM Revenue and Customs (UK), one of the key participants of the project, reported that during standard import assurance control that “the way the stock control system has been set up at Constellation Europe, the adoption of an SSCC as the UCR would provide a unique identification code for audit, consignment tracking, and verification and reconciliation purposes”.

The success of the SSCC-UCR pilot has resulted in the participants of the project agreeing to extend the trial to include additional stakeholders and greater complexity. 

Further information about the project is available at the SSCC - UCR Project dedicated website: http://www.gs1.org/sectors/transportlogistics/sscc_ucr/

Project participants:

The project clearly demonstrated that both Customs and trade can successfully work together to find solutions to issues combining security and trade facilitation. Participants included: HM Revenue and Customs (UK) and Australian Customs Service, Constellation, Hardy Wine Company, Diageo and Trans Ocean Distribution. The WCO, Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) and GS1 Global Office, GS1 in the UK and Australia joined forces with these parties to support the project.

About GS1 UK

GS1 UK has driven innovation in the supply chain for over thirty years. It is part of the global GS1 organisation, dedicated to the development and implementation of global data standards and solutions for the supply chain. GS1 standards are the most widely used in the world.

GS1 UK aims to make it faster, more cost effective and safer for our members to serve their customers through the industry wide adoption of global GS1 standards and locally delivered services. GS1 UK helps industry to implement these data standards through the use of bar codes, RFID, Global Data Synchronisation (GDS) and electronic business messaging. www.gs1uk.org

About WCO

The World Customs Organization is the only international organisation competent on Customs issues at global level. Gathering 171 Customs administrations, the WCO plays a central role on the international trade scene. it is particularly noted for its work in areas covering the development of global Customs standards, the simplification and harmonisation of Customs procedures, the security and facilitation of the trade supply chain, the fight against counterfeiting and piracy, trade facilitation and sustainable Customs capacity building initiatives.

As the centre of expertise on customs issues, the WCO offers professional training to the public and private sector and organises international conferences on a range of topical Customs and trade issues to facilitate the exchange of experiences and the sharing of best practices.

For more information, please visit: www.wcoomd.org or contact: communication@wcoomd.org

About HMRC

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is a non-ministerial department of the British Government primarily responsible for the collection of taxes, state support, UK frontier protection and import and export controls. Customs and International Business area are responsible for policy and processes relating to the movement of goods and people at the frontier.  Whose primary objective is to combat risks relating to the fiscal, economic, physical, health and social areas connected to imports, exports and movements under Customs control.  Balanced against these growing risks is the need to support the UK in maintaining its position in the global market as a good place to do business. HMRC was formed by the merger of the Inland Revenue and Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise and came into formal existence on 18 April 2005.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wine and beer categories.  These brands include: Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Baileys, J&B, Captain Morgan, José Cuervo, Tanqueray, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines, and Bushmills Irish whiskey.Diageo is a global company, trading in over 180 markets around the world.  The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO).

About Hardy Wine Company

Hardy Wine Company, located in Reynella, South Australia, is Australia's largest wine producer with a broad geographic spread of vineyard and winery facilities across Australia's major wine regions. Its comprehensive portfolio of brands includes Hardys, Banrock Station, Tintara, Leasingham, Stonehaven and Houghton. In 2003 the company was acquired by Constellation Brands and has consolidated its position as the top wine producer and brand owner in Australia.

About Constellation Brands

Constellation Brands, is a leading international producer and marketer of beverage alcohol brands with a broad portfolio across the wine, spirits and imported beer categories. Its wine company Constellation Wines is the world's largest wine business, producing, marketing and selling a broad portfolio of wines throughout the world.Constellation Europe distributes many of the group brands including Hardys,Robert Mondavi, Ravenswood, Echo Falls, Turner Road, Stowells, Kumala and Nobilo within the United Kingdom and Mainland Europe. Constellation Brands is listed on the New York and Australian Stock Exchanges and in 2007 had gross sales of over $6.4 billion.

About Trans Ocean Distribution Limited

Trans Ocean Distribution Limited was incorporated in 1984 and is recognised as the market leader in global Flexitank bulk liquid logistics solutions.  The TOD Group ship 640,000,000 litres of liquid around the world each year in flexitanks.  Part of the JF Hillebrand Group since April 2007, TOD Rhinobulk and VinBulk systems are recognised as the premier flexitank systems in the market today.
About Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA)

The WSTA is the only UK organisation representing the whole of the wine and spirit supply chain including producers, importers, wholesalers, bottlers, warehouse keepers, freight forwarders, brand owners, licensed retailers and consultants. The WSTA was established in 1824 and currently has 307 members.

For more information contact:

Yuliya Shevchenko
Group Manager, Logistics & Customs
GS1 Global Office
+32 2 788 78 58

Gareth Lewis
Technical Officer, Facilitation
World Customs Organisation
+32 2 209 9355

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