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ASM welcomes CDS delay – updated

[ April 7, 2020   //   ]

Agency Sector Management (ASM) has welcomed HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)’s decision to extend the cut-off date for its CHIEF system beyond September 2020.

Transition to the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS), originally scheduled for the start of 2021, will now be delayed.

SAM chairman Peter MacSwiney, said: “We understand that CHIEF will continue to operate beyond September 2020 for a significant period.”

“During this extended transition, both CHIEF and CDS will accept declarations, and traders will continue to migrate to the new service, as and when systems and operations allow.

“ASM continues to engage with HMRC at all levels, as well as with other stakeholders, to ensure a successful transition.”

“ASM and most other Customs software providers have a dependency on Community System Providers (CSPs) to provide inventory management and they also indicated that they would not be able to meet the deadline.

The Covid-19 pandemic has added further challenges., he added: “September 2020 was always seen as an extremely challenging deadline and the extra time this extension has provided is welcomed.”

BIFA director general Robert Keen also welcomed the l announcement. He stated: “In 2019, when HMRC announced its proposed plan for completing delivery of the new Customs Declaration System (CDS) and migrating traders from CHIEF to the new platform, we expressed the view that the timetable would be challenging.
“Having made further representations via the programme board seeking clarifications on behalf of our members, we are reassured to hear that it is HMRC’s intention to extend the migration timeline. That means that traders will not need to move from CHIEF to CDS by the end of September 2020 as originally scheduled and dual-running of both systems will continue with CHIEF remaining operational beyond 2020.
“Keeping dual-running in place until there is confidence that the new system is fully developed, stable and tested is a pragmatic approach that shows HMRC has been listening to BIFA’s ongoing representation on the subject.”
Keen added: “With the UK now outside the EU, and the transitional period underway, the development of the new core Customs Declaration System is only one part of what is now a much bigger jigsaw regarding Customs. Comprehensive and high quality information and guidance is what we have also been asking for on behalf of our members and HMRC has delivered on that request.”

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