You Should Now Move To The Customs Declaration Service

HMRC has informed traders that they should now move to the Customs Declaration Service if they make their own declarations or if someone submits import and export declarations on their behalf, or they might not be able to continue trading.

When should you move in?

The Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system will close for import declarations after the 30th September 2022, and if you don’t move over to the Customs Declaration Service, you might not be able to continue trading.

The CHIEF service will close on 31st March 2023, and the ability to make export declarations will end too.

You will need to make sure you have a customs agent who is ready to make their import declarations on the Customs Declaration Service or set themselves up to make their own decorations by the September deadline.

If you make declarations yourself

It can take some time to move across to the Customs Declaration Service, depending on the size and nature of your business. You should begin the process of moving over as soon as possible to ensure you can continue trading once CHIEF closes.

HMRC has designed a free Trader Dress Rehearsal service so that businesses can practice making declarations on the new service.

If someone submits customs declarations on your behalf

A customs agent or fast parcel operator can make declarations on your behalf. If you don’t already have one, there is a list of them on the government website here, which is regularly updated to show which agents are ready to use the Customs Declaration Service.

Make sure to contact any existing customs agents and fast parcel operators you are already using as new instructions/authorisations will be needed.