More than 220,000 businesses are being contacted by HMRC to urge them to move to the
UK’s new streamlined customs IT platform, if they’re not already
using it. To continue importing goods, businesses must use the
Customs Declaration Service to make import
declarations, after 30 September this year.
HMRC is writing
to more than 220,000 VAT-registered businesses with information on how to move
onto the Customs Declaration Service, if they are not already
using it.
The Customs Declaration Service has been running since 2018 and
should now be used for making import declarations when moving
goods into the UK. The service will replace the old Customs
Handling Import and Export Freight (CHIEF),
representing a significant upgrade by providing businesses with a
more user-friendly, streamlined system that offers greater
functionality.
This marks the first step towards the government’s vision of a
Single Trade Window, which will have considerable benefits for
businesses through reduced form-filling, better data use across
government and a smoother experience for users.
Businesses with a customs agent must make sure they are ready to
make their import declarations on the Customs Declaration Service
by 30 September. Those without a customs agent must set
themselves up to make their own declarations using software that
works with the system before the 30 September deadline.
Lots of businesses use a customs agent to make declarations on
their behalf. If businesses want to hire one, they can find a
list of customs agents
on GOV.UK. This list is regularly updated to show which agents
are ready to use the Customs Declaration Service.
Larger businesses, such as freight forwarders and hauliers, must
start working with their software developer, community service
provider or agent to begin the migration process now.
Carol Bristow, HMRC’s
Director General for Borders and Trade, said:
There is only just over three months to go until CHIEF closes
for import declarations and all businesses will need to use the
Customs Declaration Service instead. It is incredibly important
that businesses move across to the system as soon as possible.
There is plenty of support and guidance available to help
businesses make the move.
It takes businesses time to move across onto the Customs
Declaration Service depending on the size and nature of their
business so they must start the process now to ensure that they
are fully set up ahead of the 30 September deadline.
Postal operators, such as Royal Mail, will continue to make
customs declarations on behalf of UK small businesses who receive
goods from abroad by post, and inform them of any tax or duty
owed.
To help all businesses and agents prepare for the Customs
Declaration Service, more information 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 or check they
have access to the Customs
Declaration Service on GOV.UK and access live customer support
services for additional help.
The Customs Declaration Service will become the UK’s single
customs platform after 31 March 2023, replacing CHIEF. After
31 March, businesses will have to use the Customs Declaration
Service to make export declarations for goods they send out of
the UK.
There is more information about using the Customs Declaration
Service on GOV.UK.
