HM Customs & Software Houses In Major CDS Disagreement

A software house that works for the government criticised the way customs are procrastinating over the move from the CHIEF to CDS system, according to a report in The Loadstar.

The report suggested that software houses dealing with UK Customs have “thrown in the towel” after failing to engage HMRC over its lack of preparedness for the switch to its Customs Declaration System (CDS).

They believe the government department has failed to heed constant warnings and failed to take seriously the complexity of the switch.

CDS is replacing CHIEF as the main customs software system for the handling of import and export customs declarations, and some software providers are concerned that only a fraction of businesses will have migrated in time, due to a knowledge gap and misinformation from the government.

An HMRC spokesperson has subsequently responded to The Loadstar, saying “We have confidence good progress continues to be made and we can meet the deadlines. We have communications and media campaigns which will start to ramp up throughout 2022 to promote wider awareness of what businesses need to do to be ready.”

CHIEF functionality is due to be switched off in two phases:

• Friday 30 September 2022, import declarations using CHIEF switched off.
• Friday 31 March 2023, export declarations and NES using switched off.

Jenkar’s experienced customs team are monitoring the situation closely. If you would like further information about the customs entry and value added services we provide, then please do not hesitate to contact us.