Customs Declaration Service

As announced by HM Revenue and Customs, the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will replace the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system as of 31 March 2023. Services on CHIEF will be withdrawn in two stages

After 30 September 2022 the ability to make import declarations on CHIEF will end and you must move all your import declarations to CDS.

After 31 March 2023, the ability to make ex-port declarations on CHIEF and the National Export System (NES) will end and you must move all your export declarations to CDS.

Our carrier partners are finalising their migration of import declarations from CHIEF to CDS. So, if you haven’t already, now is the time for you to start preparing for how these changes will affect your business.

How Does This Affect You

If You Do Not Have Customs Approvals Or A Deferment Account

If you do not hold a duty deferment account, or any other Customs approvals or guarantees, you do not need to do anything as our carrier partners will automatically migrate your import declarations to CDS.

If You Operate A Duty Deferment Account

For our carrier partners to continue to make import declarations on your behalf in the new system, you will need to review your set-up for the new system and authorise the use of your duty deferment account. See below.

If You Hold Customs Special Procedures Approvals And Guarantees

If you use Special Procedures such as Inward Processing or Customs Warehousing you will need to obtain your new authorisation numbers and guarantee references to enable imports using these procedures in future. Please send the authorisation reference(s) and associated guarantee reference(s) to your account manager.

How To Authorise A Carrier To Use Your Duty Deferment Account

1. Register for CDS, set up a new Direct Debit Instruction and authorise the use of your duty deferment account:

A. Login to CDS or register at www.gov.uk/guidance/get-access-to-the-customs-declaration-service following the ‘subscribe now’ instructions.

Note – you will need an HMRC Government Gateway Account. It is likely someone in your business will already have this, most likely the person in your business/finance team that is responsible for VAT. If your business does not already have an account, click ‘Create Sign in Details’ to create a new account.

B. Set up a Direct Debit for a Duty Deferment Account. If your Direct Debit Instruction does not require multiple signatures, you will be able to set it up through your CDS Financials Dashboard, following your registration. If multiple signatures are required, the original completed form must be sent to HMRC.

C. Add your chosen carrier partners to your account authorities and authorise the use of your deferment account by adding the carrier’s EORI number to your CDS financial dashboard.

2. Contact Your Account Manager To Confirm Your Set-Up In CDS. We’ll Then Provide Further Instructions On The Final Steps.

Please Note

Your business may have already actioned steps 1a and 1b following communication from HMRC, in which case please simply follow steps 1c and 2.

You will be able to see your status on the Financials Dashboard. If the account isn’t showing you will need to follow all 4 steps if it is showing but has an inhibited status, then you will need to follow 1b onwards and if it is showing and is not inhibited then you just need to follow step 2.

More information can found on the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) on the UK Government website