HMRC urges firms to adopt Customs Declaration System or ‘risk being unable to bring goods into UK’

HMRC has warned UK firms yet to begin using the new Customs Declaration System that they may soon be unable to import products into the country.

Over 3,500 firms risk significant delays if they don’t move to the new service within the next two months and are being warned that registration and adoption aren’t instantaneous either. 

HMRC’s director of programme and operational delivery for borders and trade, Julie Etheridge, noted, “There are now only two months left until businesses must use CDS for imports. Businesses need to move now or risk being unable to bring their goods into the UK.

“Registering takes time so businesses should start moving to the Customs Declaration Service to ensure a smooth transition and avoid disruption to their business.”

The new Customs Declaration System, brought in following the UK’s departure from the EU, includes a number of significant changes for importing businesses, including;

• New data element fields with specific formats
• New dashboards to monitor and manage declarations
• A two-part customs procedure code, with a four-digit code combined with one of up to 99 three-digit additional procedure codes (APCs)
• Requirement for more detailed customs information

Learn more here: HMRC