New Importers Must Register With CDS Not CHIEF From 5 July

HM Revenue & Customs has announced that new registrations by importers to make import declarations must be made with the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS), as of 5 July 2022.

The previous Customs Handling Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system will close for all import declarations on 30 September 2022 and it is now receiving so few new registrations ahead of the closure that HMRC has decided to stop accepting new registrations. HMRC's free CHIEF training service will also close, at 10am on 12 July.

CDS has been designed to provide businesses with a more user-friendly, streamlined system with greater functionality and to be the first step towards the government's vision of a Single Trade Window. This will have benefits for businesses through reduced form-filling, better data use across government and a smoother experience for users.

Carol Bristow, Director General for Borders and Trade at HMRC said: "The Customs Declaration Service is taking over from CHIEF after almost 30 years. The system will become the UK's single customs platform allowing for all businesses to submit their customs documents digitally and safely. It is straight forward for importers to register on the system and start making their import declarations as soon as possible."

Guidance and support for new importers who are registering on the Customs Declarations Service can be found at www.gov.uk/government/collections/customs-declaration-service. It includes a declarant checklist and there is also a free Trader Dress Rehearsal service in which businesses including existing importers can practise making declarations on the system.

New importers can also use a customs agent or express operator to make their customs declarations on the Customs Declaration Service. If you don't already have such help you can find a list at www.gov.uk/guidance/list-of-customs-agents-and-fast-parcel-operators.

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