HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has announced its new Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will come into force as a single customs platform for all UK customs declarations from 31st March 2023.

The system will replace the existing Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system for UK traders.

A two-stage process will take place for the transition from CHIEF to CDS, with import declarations moving to the new system from 30th September 2022 and export declarations shifting the following year.

CDS is currently being used for all Northern Ireland and Rest of World import and export declarations, with more than one million declarations processed since its launch in 2018.

Directors general for borders and trade at HMRC Sophie Dean and Katherine Green commented in a joint statement: "CDS is a key part of the government's plans for a world-leading fully digitised border that will help UK businesses to trade and to prosper.

"This announcement will provide clarity for traders and the border industry. We are committed to making the switch-over as smooth as possible and are working to ensure traders are fully supported with the new processes."

CDS has been developed over a number of years in consultation with the border industry and is being implemented as a means to streamline import and export activities for UK businesses. It will provide a more secure and stable platform for declarations moving forward.

The move to a single system for all import and export declarations is also expected to provide considerable savings to the taxpayer.