CDS for exports – New phased approach

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced on 23/08/2023 a new phased approach for businesses moving export declarations to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).

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.  

CDS is replacing the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) service and provides businesses with a more user-friendly, streamlined system which offers greater functionality.  CDS has been running since 2018 and is already being used for making import declarations when moving goods into the UK.

The official announcement from HMRC can be read here.

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