CCS-UK ready for CDS import declarations

The CCS-UK cargo community system is now ready to process CDS import declarations for all UK users.  HMRC have confirmed that CDS (Customs Declaration Service) will replace Customs’ CHIEF system completely in March 2023.

HMRC will gradually reduce its CHIEF services, with functionality switched off in two phases. From Friday 30 September 2022, users will no longer be able to make import declarations using CHIEF. Then, from Friday 31 March 2023, users will no longer be able to make export declarations using CHIEF and the National Export System (NES).

CCS-UK was the first of all the UK Community Service Providers to handle CDS live inventory-linked declarations, helping their Northern Ireland users meet the requirements of the NI Protocol in time for 1st January 2021. 

“CCS-UK is now in a position to open the door for all UK users to try import declarations on CDS using our system,” says CCS-UK User Group Project Director Guy Thompson. “With a cutover deadline for Imports of next September, this will provide ample time for users to familiarise themselves with the new functionality.

“We believe that users should start to make import declarations to CDS as soon as possible, and gain experience now, rather than leaving it to the last minute and running the risk of encountering problems. They should be asking their software providers when their systems will be able to support CDS through CCS-UK.”

CCS-UK is also working on exports functionality alongside HMRC and will introduce this early next year. Adds Thompson: “Experience of CDS import declarations gained now will better prepare users to switch their export declarations to CDS.”

Software providers who have undergone CDS testing with CCS-UK, and have customers wishing to be enabled for the CDS imports service, should contact CCS-UK to have their customers’ badges suitably re-configured.