HMRC is stepping up communicating the urgency for businesses to move to its new Customs Declaration Service platform to support trade continuity going forward and is writing to businesses to help support them with the changes CDS implementation will mean to those moving goods across the border.

HMRC has written to over 6000 traders registered on CHIEF (the out-going IT platform) to urge their migration to the new system as quickly as possible

The letters and emails include further links to on-line resource data to support migration and set out the steps businesses must take immediately to ensure that they can continue trading effectively.

Whether your business makes its own declarations or uses an intermediary to do so for the business, HMRC is urging that you act now, and plan and implement the migration to the Customs Declaration Service as soon as possible.

HMRC have noted that migration can take some time to prepare, so the sooner you start, the better.

Support for the move can be found at the links below, including HMRC supplied Trader and Declarant check lists to help guide a business through the process.

Support to help you make the move

• Further information about using CDS can be found here: Customs Declaration Service
• To help businesses and agents plan their move to the CDS, HMRC has published step-by-step checklists
• You can also use the Trader Dress Rehearsal service to help you prepare. The TDR enables real-time to practise in realistic business scenarios using your own business account data to test your software and train staff on how to use the platform without risk.  You can use this service before you make the move to the CDS but are still encouraged to make the move onto the live system as soon as possible.
  
• HMRC has also updated its guidance to help businesses complete import declarations by adding new examples for goods moved under special procedures. You can use these examples to help you complete declarations for your own goods on CDS.

If businesses need extra help and guidance to meet their customs obligations, there are on-line resources available.

Links below:

•  videos and recorded webinars on imports, exports, rules of origin, and import or export declarations
• HMRC also have helplines and webchat should direct contact with HMRC be necessary