whether you make your own declarations or use an intermediary, you must act now to plan your move to the Customs Declaration Service so that you can continue trading. The Customs Declaration Service is a modern, secure IT platform which replaces the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF).
CHIEF will close in two phases:
Phase one: after 30 September 2022, the ability to make import declarations will end.
Phase two: after 31 March 2023, the ability to make export declarations will end.
1. If you use an intermediary to submit customs declarations for you
You need to find out if they’re still using CHIEF. If they are, you should follow the steps in the Trader Checklist to make sure they can move your declarations to the Customs Declaration Service before CHIEF closes.
Go to GOV.UK and search ‘Customs Declaration Service communication pack’. -You need to do this now as it can take time to complete the move, or you may not be able to continue trading once CHIEF closes.
2. If you make declarations yourself
CHIEF will close for import declarations in a few months’ time. After 30 September 2022, you’ll only be able to make import declarations using the Customs Declaration Service.
It can take time for businesses to complete the move so you need to start moving as soon as possible or you may not be able to continue trading once CHIEF closes.
You should talk to your software provider about the implications of the move to Customs Declaration Service.
You can also choose to work with an intermediary who has already moved to the Customs Declaration Service.
To ensure that you are on the service ahead of the CHIEF closure, you can find details of these intermediaries on GOV.UK by searching ‘appoint someone to deal with customs on your behalf’.
3. Benefits of the Customs Declaration Service
The Customs Declaration Service helps your business save time, clear goods without delay and manage finances by:
- allowing you to submit customs documents digitally and safely using the Secure File Upload service
- providing access to all your financial information in a single financial dashboard where you can view account statements, make payments and control standing authority
- giving real time notifications and alerts on all your customs declarations and movements
- allowing you to manage your business finances by opening a duty deferment account, make payments by card or bank transfer enabling your goods to clear without delay
4. New import controls postponed to 2023
A new approach to import controls to help ease the cost-of-living pressures was announced on 28 April 2022.
The remaining import controls on EU goods will no longer be introduced this year. Instead, traders will continue to move their goods from the EU to Great Britain as they do now.
The Government will review how to implement these remaining controls in an improved way that harnesses the power of data and technology with further details to follow in the autumn.
The following import controls which were planned for introduction, will now not be introduced from July 2022:
- a requirement for further Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on EU imports currently at destination to be moved to Border Control Post (BCP)
- a requirement for Safety and Security declarations on EU imports
- a requirement for further health certification and SPS checks for EU imports
- prohibitions and restrictions on the import of chilled meats from the EU
However, if you import goods from the EU into Great Britain and you’ve chosen to submit Safety and Security declarations on those movements, you can keep doing so on a voluntary basis.
TBA Global has specialised in the tax service sector for over 10 years. Our experienced team, consisting of Certified Chartered Accountants, would be happy to guide you through the whole process of Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) to Customs Declaration Service.
TBA Global
TBA Global work competitively and ambitiously to partner with leading e-commerce platforms and businesses. Our breadth of industry and regulatory knowledge position us to help businesses achieve strategic goals.
TBA Global
TBA Global work competitively and ambitiously to partner with leading e-commerce platforms and businesses. Our breadth of industry and regulatory knowledge position us to help businesses achieve strategic goals.
