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The Government Press Office has published details of reduced import duties on over 100 UK food imports. The press release published on 27 th October details reductions in tariff duties on certain food imports.

CDS release 5.3.0.1 is scheduled for deployment on 22 October 2026, introducing further declaration validation requirements and additions to the CDS code lists. The changes cover document codes, measurement units, goods location codes and Additional Information (AI) codes, including requirements for Northern Ireland declarations.

During this period, please note that any pre-lodged declarations that will be affected by the changes should be changed/amended prior to the goods arriving. If customs declarations are not corrected prior to arrival, they will be rejected.

Following the CDS update on 26 September 2026 (version 5.3.0), the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will be unavailable during scheduled maintenance.

Document code 9Y16 is used by importers to claim a contractual waiver. From 30 September 2026, this code will cease to be valid.

On 1 October 2026, traders must declare the country of melt and pour when importing Steel products into Northern Ireland.

The de minimis duty-free rule for goods valued under €150 has been removed for certain low-value imports into the EU. From 1 July 2026, it has been replaced by a temporary €3 Customs duty per line item, particularly for goods falling within the EU distance sale rules.

Vaping Products Duty will apply to all vaping liquids manufactured in or imported into the UK. The duty will apply regardless of the product’s nicotine content.

After 31 Years in International Trade, Strong & Herd Founder Sandra Strong MBE Announces Retirement and Leadership Succession.

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) (Regulation (EU) 2025/40), which entered into force in the EU on the 11 th February 2025, goes live for implementation on the 12 th August 2026.

Earlier this year, HMRC launched the Voluntary Standard for Customs Intermediaries, aimed at establishing a recognised baseline for third parties who submit customs declarations and other data to HMRC on behalf of UK traders. This article considers HMRC’s next step: the consultation on mandatory registration for customs intermediaries, and what this could mean for traders, freight forwarders, customs agents and others operating in the sector.

For those involved in the day-to-day cross-border movement of goods in international trade, the government Tax Update will be worth a read. It signals the direction of travel for UK customs modernisation, including greater digitalisation, changes to border processes, and proposals that could affect traders, intermediaries and those managing customs compliance in practice.

The 16 th Notice to Exporters of 2026 confirmed two compound settlements; a compound settlement means that, through payment of a sum of money, HMRC may offer to settle an alleged offence out of court.

HMRC have announced the latest addition to their Customs Technical Handbook selection.

During this period, please note that any pre-lodged declarations affected by the changes should be changed/amended prior to the goods arriving. If customs declarations are not corrected prior to arrival, they will be rejected.

HMRC has advised that the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will be unavailable from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 5 July 2026 due to scheduled maintenance.

HMRC have advised that the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will be out of service from the evening of Saturday 4 th July, running into the early hours of Sunday 5 th July 2026. There has been further confirmation that this CDS downtime will impact the New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) declarations.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has announced that the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India will enter into force on 15 July 2026.

Following the publication of the Ministerial Statement and Policy paper in March this year, further regulatory detail has been released ahead of the implementation of a 50% standard tariff duty on certain steel products from 1 st July 2026.