CDS For Exporters March 2024

by | Thursday, 29 February, 2024 | Customs Clearance | 0 comments

CDS Countdown

Our 8 indispensable tips to be CDS (Customs Declaration Service) export ready!

In many cases, we will no longer be allowed to make export declarations on CHIEF from 31st March 2024. As an exporter, there is some preparation which you must complete beforehand. Below are the eight essential steps to take to ensure you’ll be ready for a seamless migration to CDS.

1 – Register for the CDS

If you are a regular importer, you’ll already have registered to use the Customs Declaration Service.
If you only export, you can register quickly online using the following link.
Get Access to the Customs Declaration Service
Make sure you register before 31st March! In advance, you’ll need the following information to hand.

        • Your Government Gateway User ID and password
        • Your GB EORI number
        • Your registered address
        • Your UTR
        • The date your company was registered

2 – Authorise your colleagues to use the CDS Portal

More often than not, the Government Portal is managed by a finance director or team. Generally, they’re not involved in the day-to-day transactional movement of goods across our border. They can quickly and easily give users restricted
access to the portal by following the steps on this video.

3 – Authorise Espace to act as Declarant

You will be required to authorise Espace to make declarations on your behalf. You can do so via the Government Gateway and by following the simple steps described in this video.
Our EORI number is GB748098295000

4 – Haulier Details

Currently, haulier details are not required to make an export declaration. This will be changing though with the CDS. An exporter won’t always know the details of the haulier (for FCA exports for example). Speak to your supply chain and ensure you can advise the following information at the time of requesting the export declaration.

        • The haulier name
        • Their address including street, city and post code
        • Their EORI number (GB or EU)

5 – Payment method to haulier

Another new step brought in for the CDS. One we don’t see the value of reporting just now but it will become relevant with the introduction of the Single Trade Window. Again, an exporter won’t always be aware of the relationship with the haulier (think of an FCA sale again) so make sure to ask your supply chain players. We will need to know if the haulier:

        • Is paid in cash
        • Paid by credit card
        • Paid by cheque
        • Paid by Direct Debit or to a cash account
        • Paid by electronic funds transfer
        • Has an account for the freight payer
        • Isn’t pre-paid

6 – Routing

The route a cross-border vehicle takes to complete it’s journey is currently only required for Transit declarations but it will be required for CDS export declarations too. In order to make a compliant declaration, we will need to know each country a truck will pass through. For example, a truck carrying goods from the UK to Hungary will transit France, Belgium, Germany, Austria and into Hungary.

7 – Changes in CPC Codes

Box 37 in CHIEF, the CPC code which describes what customs regime goods are being removed from and entered into, will be replaced with CDS Data Elements (DE) 1/10 and  1/11. Whilst they have a similar format, the codes are not the same. For example, CPC 1000001 will now be DE 1/10 10 40 and 1/11 000.
Advise can be read here

8 – Additional codes in CDS

Additional codes are already required for CDS imports and will be required for CDS exports too. There has been a list of waiver codes published but these will be phased out. We recommend you and the correct additional codes to begin your CDS export journey. The following video talks you through finding the correct codes using the UK trade tariff.

As always we are here to help, get in touch with our team for further customs and freight advice.

%d bloggers like this: