There are more than 3,500 businesses at risk of significant delays in importing goods if they don’t move to the UK’s new streamlined customs system by the end of this year.

From 1 October 2022, businesses must use the Customs Declaration Service to submit import declarations when the Customs Handling Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system closes.

The Customs Declaration Service requires businesses to check that their customs agents are ready to use it. If you do not have a customs agent, you must set up your own software to make your declarations.

It is estimated that around 3,500 businesses have yet to move to the Customs Declaration Service, although many businesses are already using it.

Customs Declaration Service registration can take several weeks, so those waiting to register risk not being able to import goods to the UK from October 1.

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