ASM welcomes UK customs system extension
07 / 04 / 2020
Software firm Agency Sector Management (ASM) has welcomed HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)’s decision to extend the cut-off date for its online Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system beyond September 2020.
ASM said the UK freight forwarding industry felt that the September date was unrealistic given that the UK is in the process of leaving the European Union and because of the coronavirus outbreak.
As well as the extended CHIEF cut-off date, transition to the new Customs Declaration Service (CDS), originally scheduled for the start of 2021, will now be delayed.
Peter MacSwiney, ASM chairman, 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.”
He added: “September 2020 was always seen as an extremely challenging deadline and the extra time this extension has provided is welcomed.”
