Spatial Global on the new Customs Declarations Service

The Customs Declarations Service (CDS) is the UK government's new electronic system for handling customs declaration processes, and replacement for Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system.

Spatial Global is active on CDS test environment

Spatial Global have access to the CDS test environment and are active in the module. The test facility was developed to help HMRC, customs intermediaries and brokers to identify & iron out any remaining flaws and make suggestions for possible improvements ahead of Import go-live in September 2022. Robert Tedd, Freight Manager at Spatial Global has participated in several surveys with HMRC and CDS system developers including live ‘two-way’ Q&A sessions to help determine the usability & intuitiveness of the clearance process when comparing to Chief. Our entire freight forwarding team is undergoing training and will all be proficient on the CDS system well in advance of the coming deadlines: Imports go live from October 01st  2022; Exports March 2023.

CDS is already live in Northern Ireland

CDS has been live for imports since 1 January 2021 and in Great Britain there are already a small number of importers completing import customs entries on it. However, it will be the new reporting system used to process declarations for goods entering and leaving the UK or EU through ports and airports, with complete customs information submitted electronically.

Customs declarations are required for international trade of goods, including all UK-EU imports and exports. Declarations need to include: customs procedure code, commodity code and your declaration unique consignment reference, which is the main reference number that links declarations in the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system or the Customs Declaration Service.