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BIFA welcomes Customs computer plan

[ August 9, 2021   //   ]

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) welcomed HMRC’s announcement earlier this month that the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will become the UK’s single customs platform from 31 March 2023 and that it will close its Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) from that date.

Director general, Robert Keen said: “In 2019, when HMRC announced its proposed plan for completing delivery of CDS and migrating traders from CHIEF to the new platform, we expressed the view that the timetable would be challenging.”
However, last year, HMRC’s announced that it would extend the migration.
Robert Keen said that HMRC’s latest announcement suggests that there is confidence that the new system is fully developed, stable and tested and BIFA would now be working with its members to ensure that they are fully prepared for the new implementation schedule.
With a definitive deadline in place, BIFA would also create a training programme to help its members understand and implement the different working methods involved with the new system.
BIFA’s Customs Declaration Service – eLearning programme has been developed in conjunction with Customs software business, Agency Sector Management, and will cover the main differences between CHIEF and CDS to enable users to submit customs declarations for exports and imports via the new system.
Robert Keen concluded: “We are putting the finishing touches to the course, which will be available in the Autumn and are confident that it will offer a training programme to BIFA members and others that will provide cost effective and invaluable advice and information.”


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