The UK’s new Customs Declaration Service (CDS) has opened for business.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced that it has successfully implemented the first software release for CDS, which means that a selected group of importers will be able to start making certain types of supplementary declarations on the system.
The majority of importers will start using CDS from November 2018, once their own software provider or in-house IT team has completed development of CDS-compatible software. Exporters will start using CDS at a later date.
The existing Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system will continue to operate in parallel with CDS during a transition period which is scheduled to end early next year.
The CDS will, HMRC claims, deliver a modern system for importers and exporters who have to complete customs declarations when trading outside the EU.
It will, however, meet the requirements of the Union Customs Code (UCC) as well as supporting the anticipated growth of UK trade.
Describing the software release as a major milestone, Kevin Franklin, HMRC’s Customs Transformation Programme Director, said that going live on time was a great step towards fully introducing the new system.
“Our priority now is to make sure software developers, agents and their clients are ready and we will continue to work closely with them throughout the transition,” he continued.
Software providers are advised to consider what changes will be needed to their products and how they will approach the roll-out of the new system. Information about how HMRC intends to introduce the new Service can be found at www.gov.uk.
