Welcome to Samancta

This is the sampling manual for customs and taxation authorities. It contains information and instructions on how to take and handle samples for laboratory testing.

Samancta aims to harmonize sampling procedures across the EU. However, the information provided is not legally binding (see the Disclaimer).
These are guidelines only, and your national laws and procedures may take precedence. It is advisable to check your national legislation and compare them with the procedures specified in Samancta.

Language Versions

This English version is the only current and up-to-date version of Samancta.

You may use the automatic translation tool at the top of each page however, you should be aware that technical terms may not be translated accurately.   

Structure

This manual consists of six main parts which you can find from the menu above.

1. Background information
2. General information about Health & Safety in sampling situations
3. General information on taking samples, planning, procedures, handling and storage of samples.
4. Specific procedures for sampling different products
5. Sampling equipment and containers
6. Training material and visual examples of sampling in live situations

Choosing the correct Sampling Procedure

If the goods are declared with an HS Code you may search for the correct procedure using the Hierarchical Search

Note: The direct search by HS code and product type are no longer available.

• Retail Packages (Of any products)
• Food products (Chapters 02 – 24 of the Harmonised System)
• Chemical products (Chapters 25 – 38 of the Harmonised System)
• Articles (Chapters 39 – 97 of the Harmonised System)
• Waste (Of any products)

To confirm that you have the correct sampling procedure card you should check the following:

1. Remember some goods should never be sampled by Customs. Check that the goods are not on the list of excluded products.
2. If the goods declared with a HS (Harmonised System classification) code, you may use the Hierarchical Search to find the correct procedure.
   1. If no HS code is declared, can you determine which group of cards you should use?
   2. If not – request more information regarding the product and/or consult your laboratory.
3. Consider the description, physical characteristics and packaging of the goods and choose the most appropriate card.
4. Remember that some products may be covered by more than one card depending on the particular circumstances, for example, Honey may be presented as a solidified paste, or a liquid with high or low viscosity. The sampling equipment and methods will vary accordingly.
5. You will see the procedures laid out below in a series of charts. Choose the most appropriate procedure for the type of product you wish to sample and the type of packaging. If in doubt, please contact your Laboratory. 

Sampling procedures according to product properties:

List of commodities that should not be sampled

 Applicable to all products

Food products (HS Chapters 02 – 24)

Chemicals and chemical products (HS Chapters 25 – 38)

Articles (HS Chapters 39 – 97)

List of commodities that should not be sampled