HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced that from this month, new importers can no longer register with the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight system (CHIEF) and must now use the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) instead.
Important changes have taken place from 5 July concerning the import of goods, as the UK adjusts to new trading arrangements with the EU post-Brexit.
The Government now says that importers must sign up to the new CDS system.
CHIEF system deadline looms
This applies to new importers, but those that have previously registered will be able to continue using the old system until it stops receiving entries on 30 September this year.
But from then on, all import declarations must implement the new CDS system. HMRC’s free CHIEF training service will close on 12 July.
The move to the new CDS system has been described by HMRC as a “first step” in its development of a UK Single Trade Window portal.
What are the benefits for importers?
That forms part of the 2025 Border Strategy and is designed to play an important role in the Government’s plans to digitalise remaining import controls on EU goods entering the UK by the end of 2023.
CDS will allow businesses to input all the data required for a goods movement in one go via a single transaction, rather than completing multiple entries to different Government departments.
Carol Bristow, the Director-General for Borders and Trade at HMRC, said the new system is straightforward and will become the UK’s single customs platform allowing for all businesses to submit their customs documents digitally and safely.
Businesses reminded to begin process
HMRC has already been busy with multiple letters to businesses warning them of the 30 September deadline and has given notice of when CHIEF and the National Export System (NES) will stop receiving export declarations, which is 31 March 2023.
On 31 March 2023, the CHIEF export systems will be decommissioned and all imports and exports will need to be declared using CDS.
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