HMRC Customs Update – Take action now to continue importing goods

If your business imports goods into the UK, then you need to move to the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) now. If you do not, you will not be able to import goods into the UK from 1 October 2022.

Even if you use a customs agent to help you with customs declarations, there are still actions you need to take. You will need to:

• Subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service.
• Choose a payment method.
• Check your standing authorities are correctly set up.
• Give your customs agent or broker customs clearance instructions.

It can take a few weeks to move the CDS, so you should subscribe as soon as possible.

HMRC’s trader checklist will help you make sure you’ve taken the necessary steps.

You can set up a standing authority on the Customs Declaration Service on your customs financial account. You can also change, add or delete these in the same place.

By 30 September 2022, you need to set up a new Direct Debit Instruction for the Customs Declaration Service if you use a duty deferment account. If you do not do this, you will not be able to use your duty deferment account and will need to make immediate payments each time you make an import declaration.

See: Customs Declaration Service – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)