Update from HMRC on 23/06/2022
After 30 September 2022 the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system will close for import declarations, and these will need to be made on the Customs Declaration Service.
The ability to make export declarations will end and the CHIEF service will close on 31 March 2023.
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 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 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 is ready for us to do so.
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 the same transactions as the CFSP module currently does. 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 goods.
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 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.
Timeline
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 | |
Milestone | When |
VB v5.5.0 released CDS customs duty payments ready, CPC:
| May 2021 |
Trader Dress Rehearsal Preparation and completion with first customer. | 2021 Q3/Q4 |
Vision Bond ready for first customer ready to go live | 01/01/2022 |
HMRC target to on board remaining customers | 30 June 2022 It’s expected that this milestone will be worked towards starting January 2022 including upgrading customer systems to the latest versions, with an aim to complete by the migration for all by date above, as per HMRC’s request. |
CHIEF closed for import declarations | 30/09/2022 |
CDS integration expanded | |
Milestone | When |
Exports pre-entry capability, CPCs:
| End 2022 (subject to HMRC readiness) |
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 its sub-pages.
Q&As
Q: Is there anything we need to do to be ready for CDS? A: See https://visionsoftware.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VB/pages/2468053040/Getting+started+with+CDS#Prepare-yourselves
Q: Is there anything our customers need to do to prepare for us using CDS? A: See https://visionsoftware.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/VB/pages/2468053040/Getting+started+with+CDS#Prepare-your-customers
Q: What is the deadline for switching from CFSP to CDS? A: 30/09/2022
Q: Will the CFSP module become redundant? A: Yes after 30/09/2022.