As a business that completes export declarations, this means that you will need to move your declarations from the CHIEF system to the Customs Declaration Service by this date.

Different groups will be able to start making export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service at different times, so HMRC has set out some key dates to help you plan ahead:

• From late February 2023 - export declarants that only move goods through ports in the UK that use the Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS) - also known as non-inventory linked ports – will be contacted with details of how to start making export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service using third-party software. Declarants that use Designated Export Place (DEP) movements will need to wait until September 2023.
• From May 2023 – HMRC will contact export declarants that currently use the National Export System (NES) web service to submit export declarations on CHIEF to let them know how to start making export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service using the new 'make an export declaration' online service.
• From September 2023 – export declarants using inventory-linked ports and DEPs will be contacted with details of how to start making export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service using third-party software. All routes will be open for making declarations from September 2023.
• After 30 November 2023 – all export declarations need to be made using CDS. 

What you can do now

If you have not already done so, you can carry out the following steps to prepare your business for making export declarations through the Customs Declaration Service:

• Apply for an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number beginning with ‘GB’.

• Subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service so you will be able to submit export declarations from your software through the Customs Declaration Service.

• Read the latest Customs Declaration Service guidance on GOV.UK - including the updated Customs Declaration Service Toolkit and ‘Key differences between CHIEF and the Customs Declaration Service’ guidance and the introductory UK exports guide.

If you have any questions, please contact HMRC using one of these channels, or speak to your Account Manager or Customer Compliance Manager if you have one.