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RAPAPORT... The Edinburgh Assay Office in the U.K. opened a one-stop, secure, in-transit hallmarking and onward delivery service based out of its new facility at Heathrow Airport. This service is offered in partnership with Malca-Amit in an effort to enable importers of precious metal jewelry from outside Europe to have their goods tested and marked in one secure location, rather than dealing with assay offices in each country of importation. After hallmarking, consolidated shipments can be broken down for distribution to multiple locations, removing the need to carry separate stock for each country, the group stated.
The process starts with the product being shipped directly from any international location using Malca-Amit’s secure logistics service; it is then tested and hallmarked by Edinburgh Assay Office, while in transit through Heathrow, under a temporary import scheme. Finally, the product is delivered to any international location where a duty can be paid and the goods released. Since the product is brought into Heathrow under temporary import, tax is deferred until the shipment reaches its destination. The service also includes pick and pack capabilities. Scott Walter, the CEO of the Edinburgh Assay Office, said, “We believe passionately in the value added by independent third-party hallmarking for the consumer and retailers. We also have a long track record of evolving and adapting our hallmarking service to better meet the needs of both existing and emerging business models. Hallmarking in transit, in partnership with Malca-Amit, provides a practical, cost-effective, pan-European, integrated logistics and hallmarking solution for domestic and international manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.” Stephan Kazes, Malca-Amit's regional director for Europe, said, “Malca-Amit is delighted to be partnering with the Edinburgh Assay Office on the innovative solution for developing the reach of such an internationally acclaimed assay process. This one-stop solution allows international jewelry producers to benefit from the reassurance of a highly recognized hallmark and gives their customers the reassurance they desire. It also enables the producer the opportunity to benefit from additional cost savings through the consolidated assay, pick and pack, transportation and distribution throughout Europe, presenting significant market flexibility with no overhead investment.”
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