HMRC change export declarations move to CDS

The government has announced a new timeline for businesses to be completing export declarations using HMRC’s new Customs Declaration Service (CDS), which is replacing the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system.

Exporters had been due to have moved over to CDS and to be using it by the 31st October 2023, however, HMRC has said that is now adopting new phased approach with “selected high-volume declarants” being asked to move to CDS for exports by the 30th November 2023, with all other businesses being required to use it by the 30th March 2024.

CDS replaced CHIEF as the UK import declarations platform last autumn and the initial intention was that it would come online for exports on the 31st January this year, but this was pushed back initially to the 31st March and then to the 30th November to allow for more testing.

HMRC said it came to the decision to change the timelines for migration “after listening to feedback from industry” and is introducing a phased approach for moving export declarations to CDS.

Those businesses who have the IT functionality in place are still able to move across to CDS by Thursday 30 November 2023, ahead of the majority who will now migrate at the beginning of 2024.

Businesses who are able to move to CDS before the first deadline, 30 November, will be contacted by HMRC or their software developer in September.

The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT), said the new phased approach is welcome, but all businesses need support with the migration, particularly lower-volume declarants who are unsure about their readiness for using CDS.

The additional time will also give HMRC and its delivery partners time to work through some of the technological issues posed by the migration, including functionalities around creating declarations for inventory-linked locations.

Traders need to ensure they’re ready for the CDS migration, by applying for an EORI number starting with ‘GB’ and subscribe to CDS, on the government gateway, to be able to submit export declarations.

Norman Global Logistics has been CDS ready for some time. We have been processing import declarations through CDS since last September and we already processing many export entries via CDS every week.

NGL customers have already been migrated onto the CDS platform and we are supporting them, so if you have not registered for CDS, or are uncertain how it applies to you, we can guide you through the changes and actions required.?

Please reach out to Kevin McNamara (FCILT) for further information, or to discuss your situation.