Upcoming Planned Maintenance for the Customs Declaration Service

BY:

Niamh O'Connor
13 April 2023

SHARE:

CDS will be unavailable on Saturday, the 6th of May 2023, from 9:30 pm to 2am on the 7th of May 2023 due to the release of CDS 4.0.1

CDS release 4.0.1 will now take place on Saturday 06th May 2023. This will mean that CDS will be unavailable between Saturday 06th May 2023 9:30pm to 2am Sunday 07th May 2023.


Declarations submitted during this timeframe will be processed at the end of the downtime.

 

Creating, updating, or embarking a goods movement reference (GMR) during this time will be affected. For guidance on GVMS, please refer to the GVMS service availability and issues page.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-for-the-goods-vehicle-movement-service-service-availability-and-issues/register-for-the-goods-vehicle-movement-service-service-availability-and-issues

 

HMRC apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

The maintenance activity due to go ahead on Saturday, the 15th of April 2023, has now been cancelled, meaning CDS will be available as usual on Saturday, the 15th of April 2023.

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...

UK Businesses Encouraged to Take Simple Steps for Smoother Trade with the EU

by Lucille Roche • 9 March 2026
As the UK and EU progress toward a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, businesses across the agri-food, manufacturing, and wider supply chain landscape face a pivotal moment. Understanding what lies ahead and preparing early will be essential for businesses that want to remain competitive, compliant, and resilient.

Knowledge or Suspicion: A Case Study in Export Control Due Diligence

by Gail Leeson • 9 March 2026
This case study highlights how minor design changes and informal project updates can reveal significant export control risks when not fully examined through a structured due diligence process. A subtle design change and an off‑hand comment during a routine project meeting may seem insignificant until they expose hidden risks that could compromise export control compliance. 

Update to HMRC Guidance Page for the Get Customs Data for Import and Export Reports

by Gail Leeson • 9 March 2026
HMRC have updated the guidance page detailing the Get Customs Data for Import and Export reports, now available free of charge for download from the CDS (Customs Declaration Service).
Show More