Customs Clearance Agent Exam and Support Package

Who is this exam suitable for?

Our Customs Clearance Agent Exam has been developed for customs agents who are actively using the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) to file customs declarations.

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 for 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. 

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. 

Exam structure:

• The exam is conducted online via our accreditation partner’s website, APMG. You will receive the access link once your registration for the live exam is confirmed.

• ChamberCustoms will remotely invigilate the exam using Teams or Zoom.

• The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions (options: a, b, c, d)

• The exam duration is 90 minutes.

What’s included?

Exam:

• Sample test exam

• Exam syllabus and rationale

• 1-2-1 session to discuss sample exam

• Exam

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

Customs Training

If you would like to enhance your knowledge and skills in the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) before taking the exam, we recommend our 4-day CDS Customs Clearance Agent Training Course. This course is designed to equip you with the theoretical and practical expertise needed to excel in the exam and in your role as a Customs Clearance Agent.