CDSSG13010 - Step-By-Step Guide, Step 8 - Introduction to Declaration Completion Rules

Completing Data Element Information

The step-by-step process outlined in the Navigation Guide and this manual should be followed to ensure the declaration completion instructions are used in the correct order to ensure a valid Customs Declaration or Customs Clearance Request (CCR) is made.

The Declaration Completion Instructions Guide (always the second link in the Guidance section for the Movement type) should not be used in isolation to complete the data elements.

It is essential that the correct guidance is selected for the chosen movement type (See section CDSSG13020 for details) and is used in the correct order (see section CDSSG13060 for details) to prevent CDS error messages being generated. The Navigations Guides provided for each Movement Type will ensure the Completion Instructions are used in the correct order:

• 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)

CHIEF vs CDS Declaration Completion Instructions

The correct Declaration Completion Instructions for the Movement Type within the collection for CDS must be used.

The UK Trade Tariff, CDS Volume 3 is organised into seven separate collections. 

• 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

The CHIEF guidance cannot be used to complete a CDS Customs Declaration or Customs Clearance Request (CCR) as the CHIEF boxes are not compatible with CDS Data Elements. The CHIEF code lists are also different.

Failure to use the correct Declaration Completion Instructions and code lists for CDS will result in CDS error messages being generated.

Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland (NI) Supplements

The GB and NI Supplements provide guidance on changes to Declaration Completion Instructions following EU Exit.

The Supplements should be reviewed prior to making a CDS Customs Declaration or Customs Clearance Request (CCR) to ensure any temporary facilitations or recent amendments to the Declaration Completion Instructions are identified.

They will specify in Part 2 of the Supplement the specific completion instructions to be followed for each time of amendment or facilitation.  These will supersede any guidance issued in the main Declaration Completion Instructions.

The Supplements will also provide details of any new codes introduced to the system that are associated with the Change.

See section CDSSG04011 for guidance on navigating the Supplements.