This article was published before we became the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade on 10 July 2024, and this is reflected in references to our old brand and name. For more information about us becoming Chartered, visit our dedicated webpage on the change here.

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Free webinar recording

In August, the UK government announced a new timeline for when businesses need to be completing export declarations using the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) instead of the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system.

HMRC has said that it is now adopting a “new phased approach” with “selected high-volume declarants” being asked to move to CDS for exports by 30 November 2023, with all other businesses being required to use it by 30 March 2024.

In this Update on the CDS migration for exporters webinar recording, representatives from the Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) and HMRC reviewed the new timeline and what traders can do now to prepare. The one-hour session covered:

  • The latest timeline for the CDS switchover
  • How HMRC is planning to support businesses with the migration
  • Important steps you need to take to get ready for CDS – whether you’re self-filing or a broker acting on behalf of a trader as somebody who makes declarations
  • Key differences between CHIEF and CDS
  • Information you will need to submit declarations on CDS