All export declarations are due to move from the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) by November 30th, 2023. 

CDS is a secure, modern platform, already used to process over 98% of all import declarations, with over 40 million successful declarations submitted through the system.

If you as a trader use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) only through a non-inventory linked location, HMRC have provided further information on the following steps to move the export declarations to CDS.

From May 2023

• HMRC will contact declarants who submit the highest number of export declarations where only GVMS is used and only where HMRC are confident that the exporter can start submitting export declarations through CDS.
• HMRC is also working with software developers to help the developers move export declarants where the particular declarants are using GVMS only across to CDS once their software is ready. 

What if I’m not contacted by HMRC or my software developer?

Suppose a declarant is not contacted by either HMRC or their software developer before September 2023. In that case, HMRC has advised the trader to refrain from trying to move their export declarations across to CDS.

The explanation is that CDS only supports some export routes and all the different types of export declarations submitted through GVMS locations.

Further, any goods that are re-routed away from a GVMS location will also continue to need a declaration to be submitted through CHIEF until September 2023.

July 2023

HMRC intends to contact all export declarants to ensure they’re ready to make declarations through CDS from September 2023 and will be setting out the actions needed. Traders will be signposted to new guidance.

From September 2023

CDS will support all routes, and all export declarants should go ahead and submit their declarations. This includes:

• All remaining declarants that only use non-inventory linked locations
• All remaining declarants that use Customs Supervised Exports
• Export declarants who use a mix of routes, including non-inventory-linked locations or inventory-linked locations
• Export declarants that only use inventory-linked locations
• Export declarants that use Designated Export Place (DEP) or Internal Temporary Storage Facility movements
• Export declarants currently using the National Export Service (NES) web service must move to the new export declaration online service. 

HMRC will contact all export declarants to advise each group of any actions they need to take by signposting to the relevant guidance.

After November 30th, 2023:

All export declarations are due to be made through CDS using software or the new HMRC export declaration online service that will replace the NES web service - still in use by some small to medium-sized businesses when submitting declarations on CHIEF.

Further support

If your business is involved in submitting export declarations only, and if you have not already done so, you are advised to take the following initial steps to prepare for making export declarations through CDS:

1.  Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number beginning with ‘GB.’

2.  Subscribe to CDS so you will be able to submit export declarations from your software to the Customs Declaration Service

3. Read the latest CDS guidance on GOV.UK - including the CDS Toolkit and Key differences between CHIEF and the CDS guidance and our introductory UK exports guide – to familiarise yourself with the Customs Declaration Service.

Taking these actions early will ensure the trader is in the best place to move across to CDS for exports.

Strong & Herd CDS Resources and Training

CDS Community™ Membership

Practical and clear advice and assistance for importers , exporters , agents and those that are completing their own declarations.

CDS Clinics & Spotlight Sessions
Our clinics have been developed to give you an opportunity to ask questions and bring working examples of issues you facing surrounding the changes.

CDS Training
CDS is a major change to the way in which customs declarations are made, and this course provides detailed information on the changes.