CDS for Exports - Phased Approach Announced

23 Aug 2023

A new phased approach for businesses moving export declarations to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) has been announced by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) today.

After listening to feedback from industry, HMRC is implementing a phased approach for businesses moving to CDS for exports.

During the first phase, HMRC and its software developers will support selected high-volume declarants to move to CDS for exports by Thursday 30 November 2023.

The second stage of this approach will see all other businesses move to CDS for exports by Saturday 30 March 2024.

This new approach will enable HMRC and delivery partners to build on the existing IT testing as well as undertake additional performance analysis while businesses with the existing IT functionality start to migrate. It will also enable HMRC and their delivery partners to better support export declarants to make a smooth migration to CDS.

Find the announcement here: Phased approach to CDS export migration announced - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Notes:

Customs Declaration Service – the UK’s single customs platform

International trade in goods is worth over £800 billion to the UK economy each year.

Currently, we identify goods for checks at the border using 2 platforms – the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system and the Customs Declaration Service.

From 30 March 2024, the Customs Declaration Service will be the UK’s single customs platform and all businesses will need to declare goods through the service.

All import declarations must already be made through the Customs Declaration Service.

The movement of exports to the Customs Declaration Service will take place in 2 stages:

1. Between now and 30 November 2023: High volume declarants who are able to migrate to the Customs Declaration Service by Thursday 30 November 2023 will continue to be supported to do so. HMRC or Software Developers will be in touch with those declarants in September.
2. Further migration by 30 March 2024: We will contact all remaining export declarants and confirm the actions they need to take once the Customs Declaration Service is able to support all export routes and types of export declaration currently submitted at the border. All export declarants will then need to be submitting all their export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service by Saturday 30 March 2024.