CDS (Customs Declaration Service)

What the move from CHIEF to CDS means for your business, and how to get registered.

HM Customs system (CHIEF) has been replaced by CDS, and all importers, exporters, agents, and declarants need to be registered for CDS.

From the 1st of October 2022, all UK import custom declarations and from 1st April 2023 all export custom declarations will need to be submitted via CDS.

We kindly request that you and any business you are representing, get registered now before the October deadline so we can fully assist with your customs clearance requirements.

You can register for CDS now at:

www.gov.uk/guidance/get-access-to-the-customs-declaration-service

Before you register, you will need the following information:

Government Gateway ID & Password.

EORI Number.

UTR find your UTR. (Unique Tax Reference)

Address or your business address held on customs records.

National Insurance (NI) if you’re an individual or sole trader

The date you started your business.

Once you have registered with CDS, if you have a CHIEF deferment account (DDA), you will now need to setup a new Direct Debit Mandate for a CDS deferment account.

www.gov.uk/guidance/set-up-a-direct-debit-for-a-duty-deferment-account-on-the-customs-declaration-service

Importers and Agents will need to authorise declarants they wish to use their deferment account by the CDS Dashboard.

From your Dashboard, select view your customs financial accounts.

Set up a standing authority for your agent to use your new DDA. You can also authorise them to use your CDS Cash Account, which is a replacement of the CHIEF FAS system.

Importers and Agents will now be able to view all deferment/PVA statements from their CDS Dashboard and monitor who is using their deferment/cash accounts.

All current C79 postal reports will now be downloadable from the Dashboard or further guidance, please visit HMRC at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/customs-declaration-service