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GB Customs Declaration Service — CDS

GB Import & Export Declarations

File GB import and export customs declarations directly with HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service. Declarations are guided and validated on a single cloud platform. Straightforward declarations prepared in around two minutes, with no port badge needed for GVMS or export declarations.

  • Guided Workflows
  • Enhanced Commodity Mapping
  • IDP Included — No Extra Cost
  • HMRC, CSP & GVMS Integrated
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  • Draft a declaration from a templatePick a saved template containing parties, procedure codes and other details, then just add this shipment’s details.
  • Draft a declaration from Excel or CSVUpload your shipment lines — rows with the same commodity code and origin merge into goods items automatically.
  • Generate a draft from e-mailed documentsForward invoices and packing lists — AI reads them and drafts the declaration for your team to review.
  • A simplified, intuitive declaration wizardSix guided steps that ask only for what your declaration needs, filled from your documents and saved parties.
  • Update many goods items at onceSet packages, marks or mass once and apply them to every checked goods item in a single step.
  • Catch errors early, then submitEvery missing field listed by section — jump to it, fix it, then submit your declaration.

In a nutshell

The Customs Declarations UK platform handles the full spectrum of CDS declarations for goods moving in and out of Great Britain: standard imports and exports as well as special procedures, all aligned with HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service.

Built for freight forwarders, hauliers, customs brokers, importers and exporters, it combines guided wizards, real-time validation, an enhanced commodity requirements mapping engine and Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) so you can file accurately in minutes. Straightforward declarations with complete documentation take around two minutes. You can manage everything in-house, with no third party or specialist customs background required. No port badge is needed for RoRo / GVMS movements or export declarations, and once your declaration is filed, you can create and manage your Goods Movement References (GMRs) on the same platform.

Key features

Everything you need to file CDS, in one platform.

From a first-time entry to thousands of declarations a month, every submission is validated against HMRC requirements.

  • Guided Workflows

    Step-by-step wizards guide you through every import and export declaration, tailored to your consignment’s requirements.

  • Intuitive Error Handling

    Smart validation flags inconsistencies before submission, reducing rejections and rework. 99% of declarations are accepted on the first attempt.

  • Enhanced Commodity Requirements Mapping

    The engine interprets your selected commodity code and automatically maps the relevant CDS requirements — data elements, documents and controls — so you can identify and complete what’s needed, faster. Commodity requirements are grouped across all the commodity lines, so you can complete them all in one go.

  • Intelligent Document Processing — IDP

    Upload commercial invoices, packing lists and transport documents. OCR and AI extract the contents and prepare a structured declaration draft for your review. Included at no additional document-processing cost.

  • Bulk Upload & Cloning

    Clone existing declarations or upload in bulk via CSV/Excel. Ideal for high-volume freight operations.

  • Document Uploads

    Attach invoices, packing lists, certificates and other supporting documents to the relevant entries, kept together against each declaration.

  • Duty, VAT & Excise Calculation

    Duty, VAT and excise are calculated upon submission of the entry, with postponed VAT accounting and deferment account support built into the workflow.

  • Amendment & Cancellation

    Submit post-acceptance amendments and cancellations directly through the platform, with no need to start again.

  • Complex Customs Procedures

    Full support for all declaration types, including special procedures such as customs warehousing, inward processing and temporary admission.

  • Direct Integration with HMRC & CSPs

    One platform connecting to HMRC and the major Community System Providers (MCP, CNS and CCS-UK) for inventory-linked port clearances.

  • GVMS — Goods Movement References

    Create and manage your GMRs for applicable RoRo movements on the same platform. Free when filing Import, Export, Transit or ENS declarations with us.

  • Real-Time Notifications

    Instant status alerts from HMRC for acceptance, queries and release updates.

Intelligent Document Processing — IDP

Start from the documents you already have.

Turn the documents you already have into draft customs declarations. Upload commercial invoices, packing lists and transport documents, and our Intelligent Customs Document Processing engine uses OCR and AI to extract the relevant information and prepare a structured declaration draft for your review.

You have full control: review the extracted information, make any required corrections and confirm the declaration before submission — automation with accountability, not a black box. IDP is included with supported declaration types at no additional document-processing cost.

Explore Intelligent Document Processing
Enhanced commodity mapping

From commodity code to complete declaration, faster.

We have introduced an enhanced automated commodity requirements mapping engine for GB CDS import and export declarations. The engine interprets your selected commodity code and automatically maps the relevant CDS requirements, helping you complete the information required for the declaration with far less time spent cross-referencing the tariff.

For straightforward declarations with complete documentation, the improved workflow can help you prepare a CDS import or export declaration in around two minutes, while retaining access to the complete declaration view whenever more advanced information is required.

~2 minto prepare a straightforward CDS import or export declaration with complete documentation

  1. Interprets the commodity code you select

  2. Auto-maps the relevant CDS data, documents and controls

  3. Groups common requirements across items, so you complete them all at once

  4. Complete declaration view always available for advanced requirements

Latest enhancements

Many commodity lines? Complete them all at once.

For declarations containing multiple commodity lines, completing the same item information and tariff requirements repeatedly can take considerable time. The enhanced workflow groups requirements across your commodities so common information is completed once and applied to the relevant items — significantly reducing repetitive data entry on large declarations.

New · Item information

Update one, multiple or all items at the same time.

Fill in only the fields you want to set — shipping marks, additional documents, valuation information — choose which goods items they apply to. Only fields with a value are written; blank fields are left unchanged on every item.

  • Select one, multiple or all commodity lines and update them at the same time
  • Bulk-update shipping marks, additional documents, valuation information and other commodity details
  • Review and amend individual lines whenever item-specific information is required
New · Commodity requirements

Requirements grouped — answer once, apply everywhere.

Tariff requirements are grouped by measure type and condition code across every item in the declaration. Complete VAT, customs measures, excise, tariff preferences, import controls and supporting document codes once, and apply them to all the commodities that share them.

  • Progress at a glance — answered, mixed and not-started requirement groups
  • Apply different responses or document codes where requirements vary — differences clearly displayed
  • Far less repetitive data entry on declarations with many commodity lines
Import & export

One platform for both directions of trade.

Goods arriving into Great Britain or leaving it are filed the same way, directly to CDS, with each declaration shaped around the procedure you need.

CDS Import

Bringing goods into GB

  • Standard import declarations to HMRC’s CDS
  • Special procedures: warehousing, inward processing, temporary admission
  • Duty, VAT and excise calculated upon submission
  • Enhanced commodity requirements mapping when you classify
  • Inventory-linked port clearances via MCP, CNS and CCS-UK
  • Postponed VAT accounting and deferment account support
CDS Export

Sending goods out of GB

  • Standard export declarations to HMRC’s CDS
  • Arrived and pre-lodged export entries
  • Special procedures and re-exports
  • Enhanced commodity requirements mapping for controls and licences
  • Works with GVMS / RoRo movements at the frontier: create your GMR on the same platform
Connected end to end

Plugged into HMRC and every major CSP.

The platform connects directly to HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service and to the Community System Providers behind the UK’s inventory-linked ports. One account covers RoRo routes and deep-sea and air, with the UK Tariff built in.

How it works

From sign-up to submission in four steps.

A straightforward path from onboarding to live filing, with meaningful insights once your declarations are flowing.

  1. On-boarding

    Create your account, configure your settings, and complete the one-time setup with HMRC to authorise direct filing.

  2. Declaration Wizard

    Follow the step-by-step wizard, or start from your own documents with IDP, while enhanced commodity mapping shows what your commodity code requires.

  3. Review & Submit

    Review the entry, submit to CDS and track real-time HMRC notifications. For RoRo movements, create your GMR without leaving the platform.

  4. Reports & Insights

    Review historical data with meaningful insights through real-time, interactive reports and dashboards.

Why CDUK

Built to cut your cost, time and rework.

A secure, cloud-based service designed and refined in close consultation with HMRC, with 99.9% uptime and end-to-end encryption.

  • Save cost by filing your own declarations
  • Prepare straightforward declarations in around two minutes
  • IDP included at no additional document-processing cost
  • Automate repetitive workflows and data entry
  • Complete common commodity requirements once and apply them across items
  • Securely manage your filings with full encryption
  • Prevent filing errors with real-time validation
  • Declarations and GMRs managed on one platform
  • HMRC-supported, continually updated platform
  • Manage post-Brexit change effectively
  • Adaptive to your consignment’s requirements
Frequently Asked Questions

The questions traders actually ask.

Do I need to be a customs expert to file CDS declarations?

No. The platform’s guided wizards walk you through each step, adapting to your consignment and prompting for what’s needed. Enhanced commodity requirements mapping surfaces the data, documents and controls your commodity code requires. Built-in validation, tooltips and Intelligent Document Processing let you file accurate declarations without specialist training.

Does it cover both imports and exports?

Yes. The same platform handles GB CDS import and export declarations, including special procedures such as customs warehousing, inward processing and temporary admission, plus arrived and pre-lodged export entries.

How does Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) work?

Upload your commercial invoices, packing lists and transport documents, and the IDP engine uses OCR and AI to extract the relevant information and prepare a structured declaration draft. You review the extracted data, make any required corrections and confirm before submission. IDP is included with supported declaration types at no additional document-processing cost.

How quickly can I prepare a declaration?

For straightforward declarations with complete documentation, the enhanced commodity requirements mapping workflow can help you prepare a CDS import or export declaration in around two minutes. The complete declaration view remains available for more advanced information.

Can I update several commodity lines at once?

Yes. Select one, multiple or all commodity lines and update shipping marks, additional documents, valuation information and other item details together. Common tariff requirements (VAT, customs measures, excise, tariff preferences, import controls and supporting document codes) are grouped across the applicable commodities so you complete them once. Differences between items are clearly displayed, and every line can still be reviewed and amended.

Can it connect to inventory-linked ports?

Yes. The platform integrates directly with HMRC and the major Community System Providers (MCP, CNS and CCS-UK), so you can clear goods at inventory-linked deep-sea and air ports. You can also file directly, with no badge, for RoRo / GVMS movements and export declarations.

Can I also manage my Goods Movement References (GMRs) here?

Yes. You can create and manage your GMRs for applicable RoRo movements directly through the platform, linking the MRNs from the declarations you’ve filed. GVMS is free for both existing and new customers when filing Import, Export, Transit or ENS declarations with us.

How does the platform help with high volumes?

You can clone existing declarations and upload entries in bulk via CSV or Excel. Combined with templates, IDP document extraction and enhanced commodity mapping, high-volume operations can process declarations in minutes.

What happens after I submit to HMRC?

Your declaration goes straight to CDS and you receive real-time notifications for acceptance, queries and release. If HMRC needs supporting documents you can upload them directly, and you can submit post-acceptance amendments or cancellations through the platform.

After you file: GVMS

Your declaration is filed. Now get the vehicle across.

Create and manage your Goods Movement References (GMRs) through Customs Declarations UK for applicable RoRo movements. The MRN from the declaration you’ve just filed flows straight into the GMR, with no re-keying.

GVMS sits inside the platform, so you manage declarations and vehicle movements together, from filing to the frontier.

GVMS is free for both existing and new customers when filing Import, Export, Transit or ENS declarations with us.

Explore GVMS

  1. Create and manage GMRs for applicable RoRo movements

  2. Link the MRNs from declarations filed on the platform

  3. One connected workflow, from declaration to border crossing

  4. Free when filing Import, Export, Transit or ENS with us

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Start Filing GB Import & Export Declarations Today

Choose pay-as-you-go with no monthly fee, or a subscription plan if you file regularly. Create your account and submit your first CDS import or export declaration directly to HMRC. Straightforward entries take around two minutes. Filing in high volumes? Get in touch and we’ll tailor a plan around your needs.

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