HMRC have published comprehensive guidance to assist both traders and declarants in the planning and management of their migration to using the Customs Declaration Service.

CDS is scheduled to take over from the HMRC CHIEF (Customs Handling of Import Export Freight) computer system in a staged implementation starting later this year. All imports will be managed through CDS from 1^st October 2022 with exports migrating on 1^st April 2023.

CDS is already in use, with businesses managing regulatory financial transactions through the on-line service. Traders are urged to prepare to register for CDS in good time and not leave their CDS registration until the last minute. 

HMRC have also advised that registration into full working process for businesses can take time.

Guidance and further detailed information is in links below:

Trader checklist – moving to the Customs Declaration Service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Trader Checklist – Moving to the Customs Declaration Service (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Declarant checklist – moving to the Customs Declaration Service - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Declarant Checklist – Moving to the Customs Declaration Service (publishing.service.gov.uk)