BIFAlink


Policy & Compliance


www.bifa.org


CDS?


Growing concerns over CDS implementation


BIFA is concerned that development of the Customs Declaration System has not involved representatives of the end-user, particularly as IT developers have been flagging up a lack of clarity regarding data elements


Our sector is currently facing numerous significant global, European and domestic challenges. Commercially we are seeing rapidly changing maritime markets, whilst closer to home Brexit is creating ever greater concerns and confusion. Underpinning many of these changes are new computer systems. In all probability the most significant new computer system


currently under development is the Customs Declaration System (CDS) which will replace Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF). Despite initial assurances from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to the contrary, it is clear that the


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new system will require more significant changes to commercial software systems than previously envisaged. To give a simple example, a CHIEF declaration consists of 59 boxes, whilst a CDS declaration will consist of 78 data fields for import and 65 for export declarations. The development of the new system includes many


stakeholders – HMRC, IBM, community systems providers (CSPs), numerous software providers and representatives. BIFA has been concerned that progress has been inconsistent, with periods of activity and progress and then little concrete


September 2019


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