CDSSG12010 - Step-By-Step Guide, Step 7 - Introduction to Document Codes
Document Codes are declared in DE 2/3 and are used to declare supporting documentation that is needed to release the goods.
A 4-digit code is used to identify what type of document is being declared. This is followed by a reference number used to identify the unique document (Document Identifier) or to provide an explanation for why the document is not held (Document Reason).
Document Status Codes are also used to provide more information about the specific document, such as where it is held and its format. See section CDSSG12090 for more information on Document Status Codes.
Document Codes are used to attribute licences and certificates. The Document Codes are used to identify the specific reference number of the licence or certificate, the type of licence being declared, the licencing authority and any quantities being used by the goods. See section CDSSG12100 for more information on declaring licence document codes.
Lists of the 4-digit codes that may be used in CDS to identify each specific type of document can be found in Appendix 5.
Accessing the Document Code Appendices
- Step 7: Use Appendix 5: D.E. 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes , with the UK Integrated Online Tariff or the Northern Ireland Online Tariff to identify any specific documents, licences, certificates or authorisations that need to be declared to place the goods to their intended use or enter them to the customs territory of the EU.
Appendix 5 may be accessed from the Navigation Guide for the specific movement type being used (see section CDSSG06000 for guidance)
- Navigate the Declaration Completion Instructions for Imports
- Navigate the Declaration Completion Instructions for Exports
- Navigate the Declaration Completion Instructions for Import Customs Clearance Requests (CCRs)
- Navigate the Declaration Completion Instructions for Exports Customs Clearance Requests (CCRs)
- Navigate the Declaration Completion Instructions for Final Supplementary Declarations (FSDs)
Or via the Combined Appendices link shown on the main home page shown underneath the links for the Guidance Sections for each Movement Type:
- Tariff Supplements for UK Trade Tariff CDS volume 3 from 1 January 2021
- Imports: guidance on completing an import declaration for the Customs Declaration Service
- Exports: guidance on completing an export declaration for the Customs Declaration Service
- Inventory Imports — Customs Clearance Requests: guidance on completing an import declaration for the Customs Declaration Service
- Inventory Exports — Customs Clearance Requests: guidance on completing an export declaration for the Customs Declaration Service
- Final Supplementary Declarations (FSD)
- Combined Appendices
Combined Appendices Page:
Once the Combined Appendices page is open, Appendix 5 can be accessed from the paragraph immediately under the Combined Appendices heading.
Appendix 5 is not shown in DE order in the subsequent list unlike other code lists. On the Combined Appendices Page it can be found:
Combined Appendices
Find the collection of code lists for Data Element 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Codes of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) (Appendix 5) and Goods location codes for Data Element 5/23 of the Customs Declaration Service (Appendix 16).
Appendix 5: Document Code Lists
Codes which begin with a letter are referred to as Union Document Codes and can be found in Appendix 5A Union.
Codes which begin with a number are referred to as National Document Codes and can be found in Appendix 5A National.
Where a combination of Union and National Document Codes are needed to release the goods any Union Document Codes should be declared first.
Where a document code in Appendix 5A states that a Document Status Code is required, a list of the Status Codes accepted by CDS and their definitions can be found in Appendix 5B.
A list of licence Document Codes and the codes to be used to identify the type of licence can be found in Appendix 5C, broken down into two lists, one for imports and one for exports.