Importers have only days left to get ready to use the new system for submitting customs declarations.
On October 1, HMRC will make a major change to how customs duty is declared in the UK. HMRC’s current customs duty declaration system, Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) is being replaced by the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
The introduction of the CDS is a significant move for any business that imports goods into the UK. If you don’t register for CDS by 1 October 2022, there’s a risk that your goods will not be able to enter the UK.
The CDS will fully replace the CHIEF system in two stages:
- After 30 September 2022 the ability to make import declarations on CHIEF will end.
- After 31 March 2023 the ability to make export declarations on CHIEF will end.
It can take several weeks to be fully set-up on the CDS so those who are not yet signed up should consider registering now to avoid being unable to import goods into the UK from 1 October. HMRC has set out the steps required to register for CDS which are as follows:
- Register for a Government Gateway account,
- Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number,
- Register for the Customs Declaration Service,
- Registering your payment method on your CDS account,
- Authorising your freight forwarder(s)/customs broker(s) in CDS.
If you require any assistance with the CDS registration, get stuck in the process or if you have any questions regarding your own situation, please get in touch with our Indirect Tax Director Carla Horsfall at carla.horsfall@bhp.co.uk. We can also assist you with any imports and exports queries/issues be that VAT, customs, general processes and compliance, as well as customs simplifications.
