UK Art Market Participants: The NCA’s new SAR portal

March 13, 2024
by ArtAML™ Team

After many months’ testing, the National Crime Agency launched their new Suspicious Activity Report portal. As of 4th March 2024 all SARs must be created and submitted via this new SAR Portal.

The NCA states:

“The new SAR Portal has been designed to increase the quality and utility of SARs, and enhance the user experience for reporters, law enforcement, and government departments.”

Therefore, regardless of previously being registered to submit Suspicious Activity Reports, your business will need re-register if not already done.

Proceed via https://sarsreporting.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/

See the NCA’s SAR Portal Guidance Signpost, with links to guides, a webinar and more:

https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/656-new-sar-portal-guidance-signpost/file

Follow the NCA’s official guide for registration:

Screenshot of cover of SAR registration guide. Purple background with white text.

FAQs

Q: Is it a legal requirement to be registered with the NCA for the submission of SARs?

A: No. However, HMRC as the Regulator expects that regulated businesses such as Art Market Participants have registered. There can be a delay in registration processing and in the case of needing to submit a DAML SAR (for ‘live’ transactions), you will need to build in a delay to a transaction proceeding while awaiting a response from the NCA, without ‘tipping-off’ (a criminal offence) your customer.

Q: What are the contact details for the NCA, in relation to SARs?

A: The SAR hotline is open Monday-Friday 9am-4pm (except for holidays): +44 207 238 8282 [email protected]. The direct email address for DAML enquiries is [email protected]

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