Following the announcement in December that exporters will have more time to move across to the Customs Declaration Service, HMRC has now provided more information about the timeline and next steps.

AICES continues to engage regularly with HMRC on all matters regarding CDS through the AICES-HMRC CDS Working Group which is open to all members. If you need more information about CDS export or would like to join the CDS Working Group contact Robert Pryce

CDS Timeline

All export declarations must be made through the Customs Declaration Service by 30 November 2023.

Business that completes export declarations will need to move declarations from CHIEF system to the Customs Declaration Service by this date.

Different groups will be able to start making export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service at different times, so we’ve set out some key dates below to help you plan ahead.

• From late February 2023 – we will contact export declarants that only use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) using software or the current National Export System (NES) web service. We will include details of how to start making declarations on the Customs Declaration Service using either software or the new export declaration online service.
• Summer 2023 – we will work with all export declarants to ensure they are ready to make declarations through the Customs Declarations Service, by setting out the actions they need to take and signposting to guidance.
• From September 2023 – all export routes will be open for making declarations and declarants will be signposted to information about actions they need to take. This includes:
  • Export declarants who use a mix of routes including the Goods Vehicle Movement Service or inventory linked locations.
  • Export declarants that only use inventory linked locations.
  • Export declarants that use Designated Export Place (DEP) movements.
  • Export declarants that currently use National Export Service (NES) web service and will need to move to the new export declaration online service.
• After 30 November 2023 – all export declarations need to be made through the Customs Declaration Service.

To receive updates and notifications about the Customs Declaration Service, please make sure we have your preferred email address.

What you can do now

If you have not already done so, you can carry out the following steps to prepare your business for making export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service:

• Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number beginning with ‘GB’.
• Subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service so you will be able to submit export declarations from your software through the Customs Declaration Service.
• Read the latest Customs Declaration Service guidance on GOV.UK – including the updated Customs Declaration Service Toolkit and ‘Key differences between CHIEF and the Customs Declaration Service’ guidance and our introductory UK exports guide.

If you have any questions, please contact HMRC using one of these channels, or speak to your Account Manager or Customer Compliance Manager if you have one.