HMRC chase 200K traders to move to new customs platform

From the 1st October, HMRC is moving from its legacy CHIEF platform to the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS), which will NOT accept import declarations for traders that have not registered.

The customs handling of import and export freight system (CHIEF) has been in use for nearly 30 years, processing clearances and selecting goods for checks at ports and airports.

The decision to replace CHIEF was made prior to the EU referendum in 2015 and the government is now confident that CDS can handle the additional 400 million declarations resulting from Brexit.

From the 1st October, HMRC is moving from paper-based rules on CHIEF, to data processing rules on CDS. CHIEF will no longer accept import declarations for that date and CDS will only accept import declarations if the trader has registered for CDS.

With time running out, HMRC recently contacted 220,000 businesses, to urge them to complete their CDS registration, because it takes time to move across and they should start the process, to ensure they are fully set up ahead of the 30th September deadline.

From the beginning of the month all new registrations must be made on the Customs Declaration Service, because CHIEF is closing for import declarations on the 30th September and HMRC needs time to ensure that the shutdown proceeds in an orderly manner.

Our systems have been updated to process declarations through CDS and existing customers will be migrated onto the CDS platform ahead of the September deadline, but you must be registered to use CDS, using these five steps:

1. Register for a Government Gateway account
2. Apply for (GB) Economic Operator Registration and Identification number
3. Register for the Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
4. Choose which payment method to use
5. Grant us authority to use your duty deferment approval number

Once registered, you can use CDS to get import VAT statements and certificates, view import and export data, check tariffs and apply for authorisations. 

Export declarations will no longer be accepted via CHIEF and the National Export System (NES) from the 31st March 2023.

We can guide you through the CDS changes and registration process. EMAIL Michelle Redman, our operations director, for further information and to discuss your situation.