Businesses have just under a month to move to the UK’s new customs IT platform. The old system, Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF), will soon close as the more modern and secure Customs Declaration Service (CDS) takes its place.

From Saturday 1 October 2022, companies will only be able to make import declarations through CDS. Export declarations must go through CDS from Saturday 1 April 2023. HMRC has sent letters to all VAT-registered businesses explaining what they need to do to comply with the new rules and processes, and is also phoning and emailing companies and agents.

Further information about using the Customs Declaration Service is available on GOV.UK, including a Customs Declaration Service toolkit and checklists, which break down the steps traders need to take. Traders can also register, check they have access to the Customs Declaration Service and access live customer support for additional help.

To keep up to date with the latest information about trading with the EU, you can register for HMRC email updates. You can also visit our regularly updated International trade page for other sources of help and information.