CDS
Explaining The Customs Declaration Service
CDS – MANDATORY GOVERNMENT CHANGES
The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will be replacing the existing Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight System (otherwise known as CHIEF).
CHIEF will be turned off in two stages:
Imports – 30th September 2022
Exports – 30th November 2023
CHIEF is one of the world’s most sophisticated electronic services for managing Customs and Declarations processes. It is however, 25 years old and as a result not easily adaptable to new requirements – this change applies to all Importers and Exporters who participate in Customs Declarations in the UK.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO….
REGISTER FOR A GOVERNMENT GATEWAY ACCOUNT
The Government Gateway is a central place where you can register to use online Government Services.
You may already have a Government Gateway Account to access a Personal or Business Tax Account. You should use this account to access the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
If you do not have one, you can CLICK HERE to register for a Government Gateway Account.
HAVE AN EORI NUMBER
An Economic Operators Registration and Identification number, or EORI as its commonly known, is a unique number assigned to a company that imports or exports goods.
It is required to complete your customs entry and if you operate in more than one country you will need to apply for an EORI for each country your Business is registered in.
If you are already moving goods in and out the UK, you should already have an EORI Number. If you don’t have one, you can CLICK HERE to apply for an EORI Number.
REGISTER FOR THE CUSTOMS DECLARATION SERVICE
Please note this request can take up to five working days. To register for the Customs Declaration Service you will need your Government Gateway User ID as well as:
– Your GB EORI Number
– Your Unique Tax Reference (UTR) Number
– Address Of Your Business Held on Customs Record
– Your National Insurance Number
– The Date You Started Your Business
CLICK HERE to register for the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
MAKE PAYMENT FOR VAT AND DUTY
If KMB Shipping Group are paying your VAT and Duty on your behalf and then invoicing this back to you, nothing will change to this method.
If you are accounting for VAT using Postponed VAT accounting, you will need to access your postponed VAT statement via the Customs Declaration Service. You can view your balance and payments in the Customs Declaration Service Financial dashboard, as well as grant and amend standing authorities for your payment accounts.
If you have your own Duty Deferment Account the Customs Declaration Service uses a separate HMRC bank account to CHIEF, so you’ll need to set up a new Direct Debit. You will also need to re-authorise KMB Shipping Group to use your Deferment account. This is done in the Customs Declaration Service Finance dashboard.
There are also other options available for paying your VAT and Duty, these are:
• Cash Account
• Immediate Payment
• Individual Guarantee
• General Guarantee Account
HOW WILL IMPORTERS & EXPORTERS BE AFFECTED?
Any customer of KMB Shipping Group involved in the Import or Export of goods will be migrated to CDS. CDS will still hold the same required functionality as CHIEF, however there will be some significant differences:
• The Customs Declaration Service will be accessed by Traders on GOV.UK via a Government Gateway Account.
• CDS will offer multifunctionality in one place – for example, Traders will be able to view previous Import and Export data on
pre-defined reports, check tariffs, apply for authorisations and simplifications, and check their Duty Deferment statements.
USEFUL INFORMATION
When processing your Customs Declarations, KMB Shipping Group will be asking for a different set of data than previously. Please note all CPC’s (Customs Procedure Codes) will change, and some Commodity Codes will require additional information, this is driven by the new data requirements associated with CDS.
LEADERS IN OUR INDUSTRY
KMB Shipping Group are passionate about high levels of customer service and communication, proudly developing a reputation of being a great business, with great people and a great service. Since 1987 we have provided superior quality export and transportation services across the UK, Ireland and the rest of the world.