Customs Declaration Service

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Mandatory changes to Customs Handling of Import & Export Freight - CDS replacing CHIEF

All importers and exporters who participate in customs declarations in the UK need to be ready for the change from CHIEF to the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS).

All traders, agents or freight forwarders involved in exporting and importing to and from the UK will need to migrate to CDS.

We have provided the relevant links below for information and guidance on how to ensure a smooth transition on to the new platform.

If you do not take action to register with CDS you will be unable to continue registering your import/export entries through Allstar Logistics Ltd.

Importers with special customs authorisations:If you have special authorisations with customs such as inward processing, customs warehousing and CFSP, you should have received new authorisation paperwork from HMRC that includes a specific CDS authorisation number. We need you to supply us with this information.

All UK importers: CDS will be the only place to obtain C79 certificates and postponed VAT certificates and to take advantage of postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) you must be registered on CDS.

Useful links 

HMRC advice and support.

Imports and exports: general enquiries - GOV.UK

Make sure you have a valid EORI – https://www.gov.uk/eori/apply-for-eori 

Register to use CDS - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-access-to-the-customs-declaration-service

If you have a deferment account you need to create a new direct debit with HMRC for use with CDS - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/set-up-a-direct-debit-for-a-duty-deferment-account-on-the-customs-declaration-service

Your Customs Comprehensive Guarantee number (CCG) is required on all declarations when a deferment account is being used. If you have a deferment account we will need your CCG Number to update our records: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-account-to-defer-duty-payments-when-you-import-or-release-goods-into-great-britain

To enable us to use a customer’s deferment account on declarations, the customer must authorise us online via your Government Gateway account under deferment options https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-an-account-to-defer-duty-payments-when-you-import-or-release-goods-into-great-britain

CCG will also be required for Special Authorisation and Procedures, for example CFSP, Inward / Outward Processing Relief (IPR / OPR) Special Authorisations and Procedures will also have a CDS specific authorisation number.

For assistance with your deferment account or the CDS financials dashboard, email cdoenquiries@hmrc.gov.uk

There are various HMRC online documents to provide details of the changes and provide assistance. Details below:

A communication pack detailing key differences between CHIEF and CDS https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customs-declaration-service-communication-pack

A toolkit for businesses detailing the information required for traders to prepare, this includes CDS Registration and direct debit creation processes -https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/customs-declaration-service-communication-pack/customs-declaration-service-toolkit

If you have registered for Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA) you will have already been registered for CDS, however you will still need to authorise us to do your clearances. We will also still require the CCG number as explained above.