HMRC extend exporters deadline for CDS move

The government has extended the deadline for transitioning to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) for exports to 30 March 2024, to ensure that businesses have ample time to transition to the CDS platform smoothly.

The move to CDS will occur in phases to facilitate a seamless and well-prepared transition. Commencing with high-volume declarants, the transition to CDS will be completed by 30th November 2023. Subsequently, all other businesses will follow suit by 30th March 2024.

The Customs Declaration Service has already replaced imports in the UK and we have been submitting import entries via CDS since last September. You can no longer make import declarations using CHIEF. 

While CDS Exports was initially set to take over from CHIEF in November 2023, HMRC has opted to postpone this transition after engaging with the broader trade community. 

CDS replaced CHIEF as the UK import declarations platform last autumn and the initial intention was that it would come online for exports on the 31st January this year, but this was pushed back initially to the 31st March and then to the 30th November to allow for more testing.

The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT), said the new phased approach is welcome, but all businesses need support with the migration, particularly lower-volume declarants who are unsure about their readiness for using CDS.

CDS does offer advantages over CHIEF:

 – Unified imports and exports on a single platform

 – Streamlined, automated processes for enhanced efficiency

 – Elevated data security measures to safeguard critical information

 – Guidance and Assistance from HMRC

The additional time will also give HMRC and its delivery partners time to work through some of the technological issues posed by the migration, including functionalities around creating declarations for inventory-linked locations.

Traders need to ensure they’re ready for the CDS migration, by applying for an EORI number starting with ‘GB’ and subscribe to CDS, on the government gateway, to be able to submit export declarations.

Noatum Logistics has been CDS ready for some time; Submitting import declarations through CDS since last September and processing export entries via CDS every week.

Our customers have already been migrated onto the CDS platform and we are supporting them, so if you have not registered for CDS, or are uncertain how it applies to you, we can guide you through the changes and actions required.