Apply to use simplified declarations for imports you entered in your records without authorisation
Choose how you’ll make supplementary declarations for goods that you entered into your own records without authorisation.
If you’re applying to use simplified frontier declarations because you’re going to make supplementary declarations yourself, you’ll need to check what other steps you’ll need to take.
When you can apply
If you bring goods into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) from Northern Ireland or Ireland on or after 31 January 2024
If you bring goods into Great Britain on or after 31 January 2024, you will need to apply to use simplified declarations for imports.
You must then submit your supplementary declaration by the fourth working day of the following month.
If you brought goods into Great Britain from Northern Ireland or Ireland on or before 30 January 2024
You can apply to use simplified declarations for imports you entered in your records without authorisation if your goods are not controlled, HMRC has not told you that you cannot make a full import declaration in your records without authorisation, and either:
- you brought goods from free circulation in Ireland (including goods that started their movement in Northern Ireland) into free circulation in Great Britain on or before 30 January 2024
- you brought goods that need to be declared from Northern Ireland (including goods that started their movement in Ireland) into free circulation in Great Britain on or before 30 January 2024
Choose which simplified frontier declaration to use
There are 2 types of simplified declaration process:
1. Entry in the declarant’s records
You’ll enter the goods in your records and then provide full details about your goods in a supplementary declaration.
2. Simplified declaration procedure
You can make a simplified frontier declaration electronically with less details about your goods and then provide full details in a supplementary declaration.
If you have used an entry in declarant’s records without authorisation to import goods on or before 30 January 2024, you can make your delayed supplementary declarations using either the:
- entry in declarants records process
- simplified frontier declarations procedure
You must make your imports using the simplified declaration you are authorised for.
Who can apply
The authorisation conditions are different for each procedure. You must have a duty deferment account to be authorised for simplified frontier declaration processes.
If someone else is dealing with customs for you, you should agree with them whose duty deferment account will be used. You must provide them with written agreement to use your duty deferment account.
Simplified declaration procedure
To become authorised to make these declarations, you need to:
- be established in the UK
- have a good customs compliance record, including VAT returns and Duty Deferment Electronic Statements (DDES)
- show how you’ll keep within your deferment account limit
- show how you’ll identify and report any errors found after you’ve submitted your final supplementary declaration to the simplified customs procedures National Assurance Team, where applicable
- carry out declaration procedures to a professional standard
- make sure the applicant, directors and senior employees are free of any criminal records that would prevent HMRC from giving authorisation
- have procedures in place to make sure you do not import prohibited goods
- have licences for any restricted goods
- have procedures in place to manage declarations
Entry in the declarant’s records
You must meet the same conditions that apply for simplified declaration procedures.
You must also show that:
- you’ll keep records of all declarations for no less than 4 years after their submission date
- you can meet licensing and other control requirements
- you manage your business in a way that allows customs to make effective compliance checks, for example, how:
- you keep the audit trail
- your business records are backed up and kept secure
- you identify and handle errors related to the flow of goods
You need to allow customs to audit your system, providing staff access to an office, a toilet and car parking, free of charge. This is for either simplified frontier declaration procedures or entry in the declarant’s records applications.
How to apply
To apply for authorisation to use simplified declarations, you need to complete form C&E48.
After you’ve applied
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We will write to you to confirm if you’re authorised to use simplified declarations for imports. The letter will tell you what conditions you’ll need to maintain to keep your authorisation.
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You’ll need to make a supplementary declaration within 175 days from the date the goods were imported.
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You can claim a tariff rate quota but you should submit your supplementary declaration as soon as possible.
Updates to this page
Published 16 October 2020Last updated 31 January 2024 + show all updates
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Information about when you can apply to use simplified declarations for imports if you bring goods into Great Britain on or after 31 January 2024 has been added.
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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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Information about not being able to make import declarations on the Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system from 1 October 2022 has been added.
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If you brought goods into Great Britain from the EU between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021, you must contact HMRC if you chose to delay making a declaration for those goods by up to 175 days and you have not yet made a supplementary declaration for those goods.
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You can delay declarations if you brought goods from EU free circulation into free circulation in Great Britain, between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021, or if you bring goods from free circulation in Ireland (including goods that started their movement in Northern Ireland) into free circulation in Great Britain, from 1 January 2022, or if you bring goods that need to be declared from Northern Ireland (including goods that started their movement in Ireland) into free circulation in Great Britain, from 1 January 2022.
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The final date that you can use the deferred declaration scheme, including submitting supplementary declarations up to 175 days after the goods have been imported, has been changed from 30 June 2021 to 31 December 2021.
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First published.