CDS, or Customs Declaration Service, is the United Kingdom’s digital customs platform for submitting and processing import and export declarations. Managed by HMRC, CDS replaced the older CHIEF system and is used by traders, customs agents, freight forwarders, and software providers to declare goods, calculate duties and taxes, manage payments, and support customs clearance. In UK trade, CDS requires more detailed data than legacy systems, so accurate commodity, valuation, origin, procedure, and party information is essential.
The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is the UK HMRC platform for processing import and export customs declarations, replacing the older CHIEF system after Brexit.
- Handles import and export declarations for UK trade
- Manages duty and VAT calculations on imported goods
- Covers customs special procedures including bonded warehouses and transit
- Used by customs brokers and traders registered with HMRC
For related logistics context, see glossary entries on CHIEF, Customs Clearance, Customs Entry, and VAT Number.
