Moving your exports to the Customs Declaration Service

Airfreight exports

As an exporter that exports goods using inventory-linked air locations, you can begin submitting your export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) from 19 February 2024. The only exception to this is if there is a chance your goods could be rerouted to an inventory-linked maritime location.
All export declarations should move from our Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system to the CDS by Saturday 30 March 2024. However, HMRC understands not all customers may be able to migrate by then. For this reason, you will have up to three months to migrate from when the CDS becomes available for your exports.

Maritime exports

As an exporter that uses inventory-linked maritime locations, HMRC recently wrote to you about dates for moving your export declarations to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
HMRC is continuing to work closely with community system providers, software developers, and other border industry partners to complete final technical readiness activities.

When you can move.

Export declarations for goods submitted through inventory-linked maritime locations are due to be submitted through the CDS from early March 2024. At this point, all export declarants should be able to start submitting all their export declarations through the CDS.
While most export declarations can move to the CDS by Saturday 30 March 2024, HMRC understands not all customers may be able to migrate by then. For this reason, you will have up to three months to migrate from when the CDS becomes available for your exports.
HMRC will contact you again with further details and to confirm when you can make the move. In the meantime, unless you are contacted by HMRC or by us, you should not attempt to move to the CDS for exports at this time.

Use of Movement Reference Numbers in Arrival Messages.

As we prepare for the CDS, HMRC would again like to remind you that you must not provide a Movement Reference Number (MRN) to arrive your export goods at inventory-linked maritime locations.
You must immediately take the actions below to ensure the movement of your goods avoid customs clearance delays and to support your move to the CDS.

1. You must not use an MRN as a reference for export arrival movements. Instead, you must use a Declaration Unique Consignment Reference (DUCR) or a Master Unique Consignment Reference (MUCR) if one exists.
2. You must provide a DUCR Part number where one is created. This is separate from the DUCR and if not provided, the DUCR will not be arrived successfully. Please note that Part numbers will no longer be used when migrated to the CDS.

GMVS Exports

As an exporter who uses the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS), you can now submit your export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service (CDS). From 19 February 2024, the CDS can be used to declare goods exported through all routes except inventory-linked maritime locations.
All export declarations should move from our Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system to the CDS by Saturday 30 March 2024. However, HMRC understands not all customers may be able to migrate by then. For this reason, you will have up to three months to migrate from when the CDS became available for your exports.

New guidance is now available

HMRC has recently published new guidance to help support your move to the CDS. This includes:

• A declarant checklist for CDS exports – providing a step-by-step guide to the key actions you will need to take.
• Example declarations for exports from Great Britain to the rest of the world - to help you complete your CDS export declarations.
• CDS customs clearance instructions for exports videos – taking you through the key steps required to complete an export declaration.
• CDS known error workarounds – please check this document for details of ongoing workarounds to help you submit customs clearance requests or customs declarations through the CDS.

You can find further guidance and resources on the CDS guidance pages and the supporting CDS communications pack.

We also recommend that you use the free Trader Dress Rehearsal service (TDR) which enables you to practice submitting CDS export declarations in a safe test environment. You can find out more about TDR and how to access it via HMRC's TDR guidance. 

Actions to take

If you have not already done so, follow the steps within HMRC's declarant checklist for CDS exports to make sure you have taken all the actions needed to prepare for using the CDS.

If you have any questions, including help with subscribing to the CDS, please contact HMRC using one of these channels, or speak to your Account Manager or Customer Compliance Manager if you have one. You can also report a problem when using the CDS on GOV.UK. If your problem is considered urgent, you’ll receive a response within two hours. All other problems will be responded to within 24 hours.
We will continue to provide information and guidance to support your business in making export declarations through the CDS. To receive updates and notifications about the CDS, make sure HMRC has your preferred email address.

HMRC Sign-up
Declarant checklist – moving to the Customs Declaration Service

Most business will already have a Government Gateway account to access their personal or business tax account. You should use this account to access the Customs Declaration Service.
You can register for a Government Gateway account if you don’t have one already.

Most business will already have a Government Gateway account to access their personal or business tax account. You should use this account to access the Customs Declaration Service.
You can apply for an EORI number if you don’t have one already. It’s free and it only takes 10 minutes to apply. You should receive your EORI number within a week, but it can take longer during busy periods.

You’ll then need to register for the Customs Declaration Service. This can take up to 5 working days. You’ll need your Government Gateway user ID and password for yourself or your business. You will also need: your GB EORI number your 10-digit Unique Tax Reference (UTR) number – you can find this on any HMRC payment reminders, or in your personal tax account the address for your business that we hold on our customs records – please tell us if your address has changed your National Insurance number (if you’re an individual or sole trader) the date you started your business

This will link your software to your Government Gateway account. Your software provider will tell you how to do this. If you’re acting on behalf of multiple clients, you may need to authorise the software for each client. Your software developer will be able to help you with this. You may need to regularly refresh this authorisation with your provider.

The Customs Declaration Service is built on the Union Customs Code, which is fundamentally different from the Community Customs Code which CHIEF is based on. You can read about the key differences between CHIEF and the Customs Declaration Service.
Please read the Customs Declaration Service guidance to understand how this impacts on you and the declarations you intend to make.

You can choose the payment method which is best for your declaration. You can view your balances and payments in the Customs Declaration Service Financial Dashboard, as well as grant and amend standing authorities for your payment accounts.
The main payment methods you can choose from are:

  • Duty deferment account – the Customs Declaration Service uses a separate HMRC bank account to CHIEF, so you’ll need to set up a new direct debit

  • postponed VAT accounting – if you’re making declarations for yourself and your business is registered for VAT in the UK, find out when you can, or need to, account for import VAT on your VAT return

You can also choose:

  • cash account – these replace the Flexible Accounting System (FAS), and you’ll be set up with one once you’ve registered for the Customs Declaration Service

  • immediate payment by Bacs, CHAPS, online or by telephone banking – you can pay by debit, corporate credit card or cheque

  • individual guarantee – you can use these to cover customs duties for one-off or high value imports

  • general guarantee account – this allows you to provide multiple guarantees from the same account, and continue importing goods into the UK and pay a disputed amount later once agreed

The Trader Dress Rehearsal service lets you practice submitting declarations and identify any errors. This may help you to feel more confident when you start to use the Customs Declaration Service. If you’d like to use the service, you should ask your software provider for access.
You can continue using the Trader Dress Rehearsal service after you start making declarations in live.

When you’re ready to make a declaration in the Customs Declaration Service, contact your software provider. They’ll make the request for access to the live service for you. You should use the secure file upload service when you submit your supporting documents like licenses or certificates of origin.

Helpful Video Links

HMRC YouTube Video Links
CSP Section

Registering with the CSP (Community Service Provider) for CDS



To start testing and training your staff for using our CDS software you need to register for CDS TDR with each CSP whom you have a badge with.
Once received from the CSP, please forward the details on to us at
CNS Compass If you have badges with CNS, you must complete the for CNS to process. One complete, request TDR login credentials. CNS will then provide you with the following information:

A Topic ID
Username
Password - Note. This is NOT the password you use to log in to the CNS web portal.
Once received, please forward the details on to us
MCP Destin8 If you have badges with MCP, you should send to register.

Fill in your:
  • Company name
  • EORI number
  • list of badges code
MCP will then provide you with the following information:
Output device/Topic ID
Username
Password
Once received, please forward the details on to us.
Pentant
If you have badges with Pentant, you should send to register.
Fill in your Company name, EORI number, DUNS number and list of badges code and send the email. Pentant will then provide you with the following information: GLN Username GLN Password Once received, please forward the details on to us.
ASM Sequoia

For ASM Sequoia you need to complete their . They will then contact you for the next steps.
ASM Sequoia will need to be on latest version available. Once complete we can link our software to theirs.

CCS-UK
You will need to tell us at the CCS-UK badges you have so can contact CCS-UK on your behalf and setup for CDS.