From 30th March 2024, CDS will be mandatory for all exports, and will be the UK’s single customs platform and all businesses will need to declare goods through the service.
During the first phase, HMRC and its software developers supported selected high-volume declarants to move to CDS for exports by Thursday 30 November 2023.
Entering into the second phase, all other businesses move to CDS for exports by Saturday 30 March 2024.
For companies that use Alinea Customs' services, the switchover will be handled by your customs agents, and will not impact day-to-day trading activities. Our team has undertaken extensive training in use of CDS for exports, and started to phase down use of CHIEF for exports since December 2023.
However, traders that use special procedures such as temporary admission (TA) by full authorisation should contact their authorising body and ensure that all appropriate authorisation references are provided.
This is because the authorisation references for TA on CHIEF and CDS are different, and therefore the special procedures authorisation code for CDS must be used from 30 March 2024.
Sarah Hartley, Director of Border Change Delivery at HMRC said:
Having worked closely with our industry partners, we’re introducing a phased approach for moving export declarations to CDS. Those businesses who have the IT functionality in place are still able to move across to CDS by Thursday 30 November 2023, ahead of the majority who will now migrate at the beginning of 2024. Full guidance, resources and support will be available for all declarants to ensure the transition across to CDS is as smooth as possible for every business.
Steve Bartlett, Chairman of Association of Freight Software Suppliers (AFSS) said:
The AFSS and our members fully support the revised timescales for the transition of Export declarations from CHIEF to CDS. This moves away from the seasonal peak and also allows more focus to help customers migrate to NCTS5 in November. We thank HMRC for the continued collaboration and consultation with us, to ensure a successful completion of the CDS journey for everyone by the end of March 2024
Robert Windsor, Member Policy and Compliance Director at the British International Freight Association (BIFA) said:
On behalf of BIFA Members, we are looking forward to the final stage of the implementation of CDS and bringing export transitioning to its successful conclusion.
Amanda Francis, Chief Executive of the Association of International Courier and Express Services (AICES) said:
AICES supports HMRC’s pragmatic decision to revise the timetable for CDS exports migration. We also welcome the level of stakeholder engagement and the recognition that express operators need sufficient notice and time to ensure a smooth transition from CHIEF to CDS.
Please contact Alinea Customs for further information.