The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is a service provided by HMRC set to replace the existing CHIEF system for imports and exports which is due to be was closed for import declarations on 30 September 2022, more information can be found on https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/customs-declaration-service. This means that our existing CFSP module (handling customs imports) will eventually be made redundant. As such we've been integrating Vision Bond with CDS with the intention to switch customers over to the new system as soon as we are ready and as soon as HMRC are ready for us to do sois now redundant.
The new system is entirely XML / HTTP based which means we can communicate more efficiently with the service, in a more user friendly manner compared to the CFSP system. CDS is similar to the ATWD module, in that it does not require users to be copying / pasting files and EDIFACT messages manually; messages are sent and received at the press of a button.
The new Vision Bond CDS module will handle handles the same transactions as the CFSP module currently does. However However, we have included all fields from the HMRC specification which will in theory allow users to submit any type of declaration for all types of goodsmeans we can now support all types of goods and will allow us to in future submit other declaration types.
The CDS implementation has been broken down and phased in gradually by HMRC, initially they focused on delivering imports functionality, this is now all live and they are now looking at exports functionality. Our Our intention is to also submit an export pre-entry which we will begin working on as soon as the imports side is live and then look at what other messages would also be worthwhile integrating.
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The CDS project from their side has however suffered several issues and delays, and we have often found ourselves waiting for responses from HMRC in order to progress the integration so dates are not certain, the current expected timeline is as follows:
CFSP to CDS migration - COMPLETE | |
Milestone | When |
VB v5.5.0 released
CDS customs duty payments ready, CPC:
0771
May 2021
Trader Dress Rehearsal
Preparation and completion with first customer.
2021 Q3
First customer go live
2021 Q3/4
On board remaining customers
Moving customers off of CFSP on to CDS for all 0771 declarations.
By end 2022 Q2
Due to the close proximity of the milestone above with Christmas, it’s expected that this milestone will be worked towards during 2022 with an aim to complete by this date.
CHIEF closed for import declarations | 30/09/2022 |
CDS further integration | |
Milestone | When |
Exports pre-entry capability, CPCs:
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2024 H1 (subject to HMRC readiness & trial customer testing) | |
Expansion of System for Customs Only Warehouses | Under |
discussion | |
Import Declarations | Tentative that this may be done but we currently have no intentions of becoming a replacement shipping company which are generally used for these types of submissions. |
Other message submissions, being assessed | TBC |
To see the new module please visit CDS Data Interchange and it’s its sub-pages.
Q&As
Q: Is there anything we need to do to be ready for CDS? A
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Q: Is there anything our customers need to do to prepare for us using CDS?
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Q: What is the deadline for switching from CFSP to CDS? A: There isn't one currently, it was originally set to early 2019 but due to delays and Brexit preparations this never happened.
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