Pay for imports declared using the Customs Declaration Service
How to pay what you owe if you've used the Customs Declaration Service to tell HMRC you've imported goods into the UK.
When to pay
If you’ve used the Customs Declaration Service to make a declaration for goods you’ve imported into the UK, you can pay what you owe on them straight away.
If the deadline is on a weekend or bank holiday, make sure your payment reaches HMRC by the end of the previous working day.
If you do not pay by the deadline, you may need to pay a penalty, interest or both.
What you need
You need your 16-character reference number starting with ‘CDSI’. You will have been given this when you made your declaration.
You will get a different reference number for every declaration you make using the Customs Declaration Service.
Make sure you give the full, correct CDSI reference number.
If you use an incorrect number there will be a delay in clearing your goods.
Pay online
You can pay online using one of the following methods:
- approve a payment through your online bank account
- debit or corporate credit card
Paying online through your bank account
You can pay by approving a payment through your online bank account by selecting the ‘pay by bank account’ option.
You will be directed to sign in to your online or mobile banking account to approve your payment.
You will need to have your online banking details to hand to pay this way.
The payment is usually instant but can take up to 2 hours to show in your bank account.
Paying by debit or corporate credit card
You can make a full payment online using a debit or corporate credit card. There is a non-refundable fee if you use a corporate credit or debit card. You cannot pay by personal credit card.
Your payment will be accepted on the date you make it and not the date it reaches HMRC’s account (including weekends and bank holidays).
You must make sure the details you enter match those held by your bank or card provider. For example, the billing address should match the one your card is currently registered with.
Pay by bank transfer
If you pay by CHAPS (Clearing House Automated Payment System) or Faster Payments, you can submit your payment on the same or next day.
If you pay by Bacs (Bankers Automated Clearing System), allow 3 working days for the payment to reach HMRC.
We recommend you check your bank’s processing times and maximum transaction limits before you pay.
Account details to use if your account is in the UK
Use the following details to make a payment if your account is in the UK:
- sort code — 08 32 10
- account number — 14077970
- account name — HMRC Customs Duty Schemes
Account details to use if your account is overseas
Use the following details to make a payment if your account is overseas:
- account number (IBAN) — GB16 BARC 2005 1723 3725 45
- Business Identifier Code (BIC) — BARCGB22
- account name — HMRC Customs Duty Schemes
You should make overseas payments in sterling (GBP). Your bank may charge you if you use any other currency.
If needed, you can provide your bank with the following HMRC banking address:
Barclays Bank PLC
1 Churchill Place
London
United Kingdom
E14 5HP
Pay by cheque
Allow 3 working days for your payment to reach HMRC.
Make your cheque payable to ‘HM Revenue and Customs only’ and write your reference number on the back.
You must make sure that your cheque is guaranteed (by individual bank endorsement) or there may be a delay in the clearance of your goods.
Do not fold the cheque or attach it to other papers.
You can include a letter to ask for a receipt.
Send your cheque to:
HM Revenue & Customs
CDS Accounting
5th floor
Three New Bailey
New Bailey Street
Salford
M3 5FS
Get help and more information
Contact the National Clearance Hub if you:
- have problems making a payment
- need help or advice
Updates to this page
Last updated 9 September 2024 + show all updates
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The bank account details for paying by bank transfer have been updated.
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If you're paying by cheque, you must make sure that your cheque is guaranteed (by individual bank endorsement) or there may be a delay in the clearance of your goods.
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Information about Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) has been removed. You can no longer use CHIEF for import declarations unless you have permission from HMRC.
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The account details to pay for imports declared using the Customs Declaration Service have been updated.
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The ‘How to pay’ section has been updated. The address to send your cheque to has changed to: HM Revenue & Customs, CDS Accounting, 5th floor, Three New Bailey, New Bailey Street, Salford, M3 5FS.
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Information about approving a payment through your online bank account has been added.
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The address to send cheque payments to has been updated.
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First published.