UKWA's cautious welcome for Customs Declaration Service

Ward comments: “There is considerable confusion among import/export businesses as to what lies ahead. We welcome the introduction of the new CDS to replace the CHIEF (Customs Handling of Import & Export Freight) system, which is desperately outdated and already creaking at the seams, but we need reassurances from the government that the new system will cope with the estimated 200 million extra customs entries that will result from Brexit. It is imperative that we know when and how it will be launched. 

“Arguably, this single most important issue will affect all our lives – it is critical, not just for businesses, but for everyone who depends on the seamless flow of goods into and out of our country, that we get this right.”

Ward challenged the ‘frictionless, uninterrupted trade’ vaunted by the Prime Minister, insisting that the necessary recording of data and collecting of duties and taxes relating to all UK import/export movements post-Brexit will make a smooth transition impossible. 

Importers and exporters will be expected to sign into CDS through a Government Gateway account and will be provided with self-service tools, guides and checklists. Some additional information will be required by CDS for declarations to align with the World Customs Organisation Kyoto Convention, currently being implemented in the UK through the Union Customs Code (UCC). In addition, to align UK customs data with international standards, there will also be several changes to location of goods identification.