CDS Customs Clearance Agent Training 

Our 4-day CDS Customs Clearance Agent training course is dedicated to customs agents who need to learn about completing import and export customs declarations in CDS. 

What is the Customs Declaration Service?

The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is the UK’s digital platform for managing customs declarations, replacing the previous CHIEF system. This transition marks a move from a paper-based process to a fully digital system.

Customs Agents must be proficient in the CDS Data Elements and completion rules, which have replaced the now obsolete Single Administrative Document (SAD) form, or C88, the Electronic Accompanying Document (EAD) and all the old reports such as the E2 or the S8.

Our instructors are hands-on and have been busy at the forefront of CDS testing and development since its beginning, working closely with HMRC, software developers and CSPs. We are proud to be known as CDS trailblazers, amongst the first agents in the UK to submit live import and export declarations on CDS. 

Who is this course suitable for? 

This course is suitable for professionals who will need to complete import and export declarations with the EU or third countries. 

Our training is instructor lead, delivered online with a remote package comprising e-learning modules, four days of practical classroom, simulations, and access to post-course examples and support.  The is no previous knowledge required for this course. 

Contents: 

• Theory framework of customs declarations 

• A full explanation of all Data Elements of the CDS declaration  

• Post clearance activities 

• Export declaration demo and 4 in-class workshops 

• Import declaration demo and 4 in-class workshops 

By the end of the training, delegates will be able to:  

• Understand the systems and actors involved in a customs declaration 

• Understand different customs regimes 

• Apply the correct customs procedure to a given scenario 

• Understand the data element requirements in a customs declaration 

• Explain the impact of different representation types on the parties 

• Use the tariff to understand the measures applicable to a commodity 

• Declare measures on a customs entry 

• File a customs declaration as per a given scenario 

• Amend incorrectly filed customs declarations 

Course structure 

The course is structured in an Export Module and an Import Module. 

Our training is structured interactively, with plenty of space for practical application. You will have the opportunity to practice inputting declarations on the training system, working from set scenarios with the instructors’ support. 

Although we will use commercial software in sessions, the course is agnostic to a specific supplier. You will be able to use any commercially available software to file your declarations.   

Delivery

Online and instructor-led, with an interactive Q&A session.

Would you like to become a ‘Customs Clearance – Accredited Agent’? 

The British Chambers of Commerce has defined a formal syllabus and developed a formal qualification specific to Customs Agents. It’s the first specific customs clearance exam in the country. The exam is externally certified by APMG; a UKAS-recognised, international accreditation body.  

Please note that additional self-learning is required to prepare for the exam. 

Customs Consultancy Bolt-on

As an additional service after the training, you can add a 1-day advisory service at a reduced price. This will give you access to one of our consultants for a high-level analysis of specific challenges your business faces when importing and exporting. 

Post-Training Support and Exam Packages

With extensive experience in CDS and a customs clearance service delivered through 40 locations, ChamberCustoms is uniquely positioned to provide businesses with continuous support for their customs declarations.

Exam Preparation and Go Live Support Package:

• 8 hours of ticketed support, drawn down in 30-minute blocks, valid for up to 12 weeks

  • This time can be used for pre-exam queries, and support with live declarations. Queries may include:

• Resolving customer declaration rejections

• Incoterms

• Tariff understanding

• Customs procedures

• De-mystifying HMRC guidance

• Data elements

• Post-entry amendments

• Access to our helpdesk system for post-training materials for 12 weeks

• Access to our CDS customs declaration software for entering customs declarations in a test environment for 12 weeks

• Import and export instruction exercises for practising

Exam:

• Sample test exam

• 1-2-1 session to discuss sample exam

• Exam

Operational Support Package

• X hours of support queries per month

• Typical support queries include the following:

  • Troubleshooting declaration issues, where the agent has entered data incorrectly, incompletely or in a non-compliant manner

  • Reviewing customs declarations, ensuring they are correct and compliant

  • Responding to queries surrounding Customs Processes, Incoterms, Preferences, Documentation, Compliance

Training, Exam and Support Costs