CHIEF System Changes - Please can someone explain

[Ray272]

Hi

I wish to know if anyone can advise on this system that until the last few months, i had never heard of.

Have been importing and exporting for 15 years.

Is this not an accountant matter, my accountant handles the filings to VAT dept and we provide EC100 data on all sales made to EU countries.

I am struggling to understand how we proceed.

To give a short example here is a live import we do every month:

Each Month we import 100-200 Specialist Recording devices from Korea.

Goods are shipped by UPS and upon arrival to the UK we pay UPS the duties and taxes and the next day our goods are delivered.

Will the above process change and if so, can someone explain the changes?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[Mike Foulds]

Hi. The change is occuring because CHIEF has reached the end of it's lifecycle, and is due to be replaced by CDS.

The new system will have the overall same functionality, but alot of modernisation and some simplifications.

HOWEVER, it's new, and people will need to get used to it.

Whilst you won't need to use CDS directly, and you will technically just instruct UPS to clear on your behalf, you will need to register for CDS using your Government Gateway ID, and through that, you will need to authorise UPS, and anyone else you use, to clear cargo on your behalf. This HAS to be done by you, as no-one else can have access to your Government Gateway ID.

Have a look at the government website:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/customs-declaration-service-communication-pack/declarant-checklist-moving-to-the-customs-declaration-service

Hope that helps.

 

[Martin Patfield]

There has been plenty of warning of CHIEF Import system closing date for the past year and they did send enough warning emails over the past few months.

The second phase for Export declarations is due to stop 31st March 2023

 

[WaveJumper]

Customs Declaration Service

This page brings together information about the Customs Declaration Service.

www.gov.uk

 

[scstock]

There has been plenty of warning of CHIEF Import system closing date for the past year and they did send enough warning emails over the past few months.

The second phase for Export declarations is due to stop 31st March 2023

Yes but it's another ball-ache to have to fill in a load of paperwork for something that was working fine for us before. I've put it off until now, knuckling down this week...

 

[Mike Foulds]

Unfortunately, although as you say, it's a ball-ache, the CHIEF system has survived around 30 years, and is not at the end of it's lifecycle. If it's not replaced, then things would grind to a halt. All IT has a lifespan, bet you wouldn't keep using your computer for 30 years and still expect it to be work flawlessly??!

Definitely knuckling down this week is a good idea, once you've focused on it, it's not too hard and doesn't take a huge amount of time to do.

 

[Ray272]

Hi. The change is occuring because CHIEF has reached the end of it's lifecycle, and is due to be replaced by CDS.

The new system will have the overall same functionality, but alot of modernisation and some simplifications.

HOWEVER, it's new, and people will need to get used to it.

Whilst you won't need to use CDS directly, and you will technically just instruct UPS to clear on your behalf, you will need to register for CDS using your Government Gateway ID, and through that, you will need to authorise UPS, and anyone else you use, to clear cargo on your behalf. This HAS to be done by you, as no-one else can have access to your Government Gateway ID.

Have a look at the government website:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/customs-declaration-service-communication-pack/declarant-checklist-moving-to-the-customs-declaration-service

Hope that helps.

Thanks Mike

I read through the comments here and it sounds like maybe the reason I am so behind on this matter is because our accountant handles this?

I am reading through, and it looks like maybe some people use the existing system themselves as they handle their own import declarations. You see I have been importing and exporting for many years and never had to interface with a CHIEF system. I do provide EC100 information to our accountant and this is basically a breakdown of all sales to EU countries.

We have had an EORI number for many years.

 

[Ray272]

Just waiting to talk to HMRC now, 29 minutes I been on hold for so far. lol

I keep looking for the new washing powder TIDE, they seem to advertise a lot but can never find their products, it's a type of detergent i think....

 

[Ray272]

44 minutes finally got through and the experience was nothing like my previous experiences of HMRC, something tells me they are using some type of contractor for this, after 37 minutes a person answered the phone, and their first question was: Did i put you on hold? - Painful experience after waiting 37 minutes. I have started again as the person was like a rabbit in the headlights and would not transfer the call to another colleague.

 

[Wallace123]

Ray - I've spent in excess of 40 hours talking to and emailing HMRC - their general number team are very helpful, but cannot resolve the issue of old EORI number needing to be de-registered to allow new VAT EORI number to be registered - it's unreal. I am a loss of what to do next.

I dont want to register to remain with CHIEF as I feel that the issue needs to be resolved, but come next week, it may be my only option to ensure goods clear customs..

 

[japancool]

Ray - I've spent in excess of 40 hours talking to and emailing HMRC - their general number team are very helpful, but cannot resolve the issue of old EORI number needing to be de-registered to allow new VAT EORI number to be registered - it's unreal. I am a loss of what to do next.

If you're applying for a new EORI number because your old one was issued when you were not VAT registered, go through the registration form and put a note that your old number was when you were non-registered and you need a new one now that you're registered.

I seem to recall that's what I did when I had to do the same, on advice from someone at HMRC.

 

[Wallace123]

Thanks Japancool - I have the EORI number linked to my VAT, I just need the old one removing

 

[Imevaconsult]

There has been plenty of warning of CHIEF Import system closing date for the past year and they did send enough warning emails over the past few months.

The second phase for Export declarations is due to stop 31st March 2023

The CDS has now been postponed until 30th of November 2023 to complete the transition from CHIEF to CDS.

As a customs broker, I personally like CDS better, although it is requiring a lot more information than CHIEF did.