Importing goods into the UK: CHIEF is no longer accepting new importers

11 Jul 2022

New importers must subscribe for the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) to make their import declarations as they can now no longer register on Customs Handling Import and Export Freight (CHIEF); HMRC guidance and information about CDS is available. CHIEF stopped accepting new registration requests from importers from 10am on 5 July 2022.

Existing importers can still apply to import from a new location until CHIEF closes after 30 September 2022.  

CHIEF training service closing  

The free CHIEF training service provided for trader, declarants and intermediaries is also closing from 10am on Tuesday 26 July 2022. HMRC’s declarant checklist may assist importers to help plan the move from CHIEF to CDS. 

Simplified import declarations 

Importers have not been able to be newly authorised to use simplified import declarations on CHIEF since 5 July, and the route for this process is via the Customs Declaration Service: Apply to use simplified declarations for imports.

For existing importers making import declarations using CHIEF, HMRC has transferred existing customs authorisations to the Customs Declaration Service; importers do not need to apply for a new authorisation to use CDS if they already hold an active authorisation. This means:  

  • to make declarations on CDS, importers must use the reference number HMRC have given them 
  • their existing authorisation letter remains valid 

Trader Dress Rehearsal Service 

To help traders and declarants practise using the Customs Declaration Service they can use the Trader Dress Rehearsal service. This free
service allows businesses to practice making declarations in a secure test
environment using real information without any risk. We’ve found those who have used the Trader Dress Rehearsal service have a higher declaration success rate and find it easier to move all their declarations from CHIEF to the Customs Declaration Service. 

Inland Border Facilities update

HMRC as published information regarding
the Inland Border Facilities update regarding the announced changes on 16 June to the planned introduction and life-span of some of its Inland Border Facilities.