HMRC wrote to all NES users on 22 December 2023 regarding the actions that must be taken before 29 January 2024 if you use the NES to submit movement and consolidation messages. If you do not submit these messages through NES, then no further actions are required before this date.

HMRC has advised to avoid disruption, users need to take urgent steps now if they currently use CHIEF NES services for the following message types:

• Arrival messages (AEAL)
• Departure messages (AEDL)
• Associations or disassociations (AEAC) (note: consolidations can also be achieved by declaring the MUCR in the export declaration)
• Shut MUCRs (ACST)

From 9 February 2024, users will no longer be able to send consolidation or movement messages via NES, as they will produce an error code E10072 for ‘unsupported command support’ and won’t be processed. This may result in goods not being given permission to progress. All other transactions will still be available on NES until CHIEF is closed.

It should be noted that until the declarations being consolidated, arriving, or departing are also on CDS, individuals will not receive status notifications regarding these declarations through CDS. 
During this period, users will still need to check the permission to progress status, such as SOE 7, and departure status, such as ICS 60, for these consignments via CHIEF. Please check HMRC’s NES Web user guide for more information on CHIEF transactions.

Actions required for users of the National Export System

To prevent avoidable delays at the border, traders should discontinue using the CHIEF NES service for consolidations and movement messages. HMRC advises transitioning to the new CDS 'Make and Manage an Export Declaration Online' service, which supersedes the CHIEF NES service. This will enable the submission of these messages through CDS after the specified date.

For access to the new service, please contact the HMRC CDS Exports team at: cdsexportsuiteam@hmrc.gov.uk

As alternatives to submitting consolidation or movement messages via HMRC, traders also have the option to contact a Community System Provider (CSP) or software developer to access their user interface (CDS UI).



Those who also complete export declarations through NES should continue preparing to transition their declarations to CDS before March 30, 2024. HMRC will maintain communication regarding the process of moving export declarations to CDS on GOV.UK.