The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will be used for all customs declarations from March 2023, the Government has revealed.
The single customs platform has been used for Northern Ireland and Rest of World declarations since 2018.
But from March 2023, the CDS will replace the existing Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system for all goods moving in and out of the UK.
According to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the CHIEF system will be withdrawn in two stages. From 30 September 2022, the CDS will take over all import declarations, and from 31 March 2023, the CDS will replace both the CHIEF system and the National Exports System (NES) in handling export declarations.
Commenting on the changes, HMRC said a single customs service will provide a “more secure and stable platform” that has the “capacity and capability to grow in line with the government’s ambitious trade plans”.
The regulator added that moving to a single system for all imports and exports will also save businesses money in compliance costs.
“CDS is a key part of the government’s plans for a world-leading fully digitised border that will help UK businesses to trade and to prosper,” said Sophie Dean and Katherine Green, Directors General for Borders and Trade at HMRC.
“This announcement will provide clarity for traders and the border industry. We are committed to making the switch-over as smooth as possible and are working to ensure traders are fully supported with the new processes.”
To learn more about the CDS, please click here.
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