Export Controls Alert: transmission issues between LITE/SPIRE and CDS

The Export Control Joint Unit released the following notice today (16 March), updating a previous notice

Introduction

This notice follows NTE 2026/04. This notice advises of an issue with licence transmissions from LITE and SPIRE to HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS), potential delays to border clearances, and how to report declaration problems to CDS.

Update

The issue has now been resolved, and normal business may resume.

The issue was first identified by HMRC during the night of 24 February 2026, and was escalated to DBT on the afternoon of 25 February 2026. The incident was formally closed on 5 March 2026.

For problems faced during declarations, please continue to contact CDS for support via the online report a problem using the Customs Declaration Service form. For urgent cases, you may also email cds.operations@hmrc.gov.uk.

Thank you for your patience while this was investigated. We will continue to monitor performance and will update exporters via future notices if required.

Original post below

The Export Control Joint Unit released the following notice today (27 February):

The Department for Business and Trade is aware of an ongoing issue affecting the transmission of export licences from LITE/SPIRE to HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service (CDS).

As a result, some consignments arriving at the border may not be cleared in the usual way if the relevant licence information has not reached CDS. This issue is being investigated as a matter of urgency, and we are monitoring any impact on exporters or freight agents.