CDS deadline - act now!

From 30th September 2022 customs agents and traders will no longer be able to make import declarations on CHIEF.

From 31st March 2023 customs agents and traders will no longer be able to make export declarations on CHIEF.

We plan to migrate your account from CHIEF to CDS during August 2022, to ensure your goods can be imported and exported without interruption please complete the steps below (steps 1 and 2 only apply if you have not traded Internationally before).

Most businesses will already have a Government Gateway account to access their personal or business tax account. You should use this account to access the Customs Declaration Service. You can also register for a Government Gateway account if you do not have one already.

You need an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number that starts with GB. Most businesses moving goods in and out of the UK already have one.

You can apply for an EORI number if you do not have one already. It is free and it only takes 10 minutes to apply. You should receive your EORI number within a week, but it can take longer during busy periods.

You will then need to register for the Customs Declaration Service. This can take up to 5 working days so please do not delay.

You will need your Government Gateway user ID and password for yourself or your business. You will also need:

• your GB EORI number
• your 10-digit Unique Tax Reference (UTR) number – you can find this on any HMRC payment reminders, or in your personal tax account
• the address for your business that we hold on our records – please tell us if your address has changed
• your National Insurance number (if you are an individual or sole trader)
• the date you started your business

If Eurosprint are paying your VAT & Duty on your behalf and then invoicing this back to you, nothing will change.

Alternatively other payment methods you can choose from are:

• duty deferment account – the Customs Declaration Service uses a separate HMRC bank account to CHIEF, so you’ll need to set up a new direct debit, you will also need to re-authorise Eurosprint to use your deferment account, this is done via the CDS Finance Dashboard
• cash account – these replace the Flexible Accounting System (FAS), and you’ll be set up with one once you’ve registered for the Customs Declaration Service
• postponed VAT accounting – if you’re making declarations for yourself and your business is registered for VAT in the UK, find out when you can, or need to, account for import VAT on your VAT return
• immediate payment – by Bacs, CHAPS, online or by telephone banking – you can pay by debit, corporate credit card or cheque
• individual guarantee – you can use these to cover customs duties for one-off or high value imports
• general guarantee account – this allows you to provide multiple guarantees from the same account, and continue importing goods into the UK and pay a disputed amount later once agreed

• On completing step 4 you will receive an authorisation confirmation from HRMC, please send a screen shot or copy to customs@eurosprint.co.uk
• On receipt of the HMRC authorisation Eurosprint will check our own CDS platform to ensure the 2 accounts are linked.
• Once linked future customs clearances can take place without any delays.

We will keep you updated on the switch over to CDS and be back in contact should any further action be required.

If you require any assistance, please email us at customs@eurosprint.co.uk