HMRC CHIEF Migration to CDS

BY:

Gail Leeson
21 October 2021

SHARE:

HMRC are writing to 600 smaller volume CHIEF users in a push to engage with users that may not be aware of the forthcoming CHIEF migration to CDS, and the importance of a business being prepared for that change.

HMRC announced the migration dates earlier in October 2021. 
 They are as follows:
30th September 2022: All import declarations will be moved onto the Customs Declaration Service. 
31st March, 2023: CHIEF will be closed for export declarations, and the National Export System (NES) will shut down.

Note: CHIEF will remain accessible for a short period of time to enable completion of any import supplementary declarations. 

HMRC are keen that businesses understand that there will be a business need to prepare for the move to the new system. CDS is completely different from CHIEF.  

An agent may make the declaration on behalf of a business, but the business will still need to give accurate clearance instructions to that agent and be able to interpret the data that has been submitted to CDS on their behalf.  

CDS training will be important for a business that wishes to both understand the new system that will be supporting its cross-border trade activity, but also to enable good working practice and sound compliance for HMRC audit. Queries and errors are best dealt with in good time rather than detected by the authorities at audit.

HMRC will be publishing guidance and further details on the new service in due course.

While you are here you may be interested in some Strong & Herd LLP training courses related to this topic, we offer a wide range of high quality training courses to support all importing and exporting activities. 




OneCall™ Email assistance as and when required; A one-call solution for all your import, export and customs enquiries. Export help. Import help. Customs help.

Stay informed about customs and international trade matters by subscribing to our OneCall™ service. This comprehensive offering includes a dedicated email helpline for support, timely practical updates direct to your inbox (Did You Know?), monthly UK Customs & Trade Briefings and access to an interactive members' area with an exclusive community for our subscribers.

Subscribe Today ➝

International Trade Updates & Spotlight Newsletter

Subscribe to our free information emails covering international trade topics...

Subscribe to our newsletter ➝

MORE INDUSTRY INSIGHTS...

by Gail Leeson 24 July 2025
HMRC has published the latest addition to its suite of Customs Technical Handbooks, the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Customs Technical Handbook, on 23 July 2025.
by Gail Leeson 24 July 2025
The UK Government has recently released the Transformation Roadmap, a comprehensive document that outlines HMRC's strategic reform. This roadmap, published on 21st July, details the government’s ambitious plans to modernise the HMRC tax and Customs system over the spending review period, with a clear vision for 2030.
by Niamh O'Connor 24 July 2025
Prime Minister Kier Starmer is set to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India today, 24th July 2025, for the signing of the UK-India Trade Agreement. The agreement will then move to be ratified in parliament before coming into force, enabling both countries to trade under its terms.
Show More