What Traders Need to Know & How UKP Worldwide Can Support You
HMRC has announced that the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will be unavailable to all users from 9:30pm on Saturday 13 December until 6:00am on Sunday 14 December 2025 due to planned maintenance.
During this period:
Any declarations submitted will be queued and processed once CDS is back online.
Creating, updating, or embarking a Goods Movement Reference (GMR) may be affected.
Only goods with pre-lodged declarations attached to a GMR will be permitted to move using GVMS.
Traders moving controlled goods with pre-lodged entries must follow inspection requirements at port or inland border facilities.
All export movements must hold Permission to Progress (P2P) before travel.
What’s Changing in CDS from 13 December 2025?
HMRC is introducing a significant update that will impact how many businesses lodge their customs declarations.
Key changes include:
Revised and new Additional Information (AI) codes and Document codes, affecting the data required for certain declaration types.
Stricter validation rules to identify inaccuracies earlier and reduce rejections.
Updated requirements for Northern Ireland export declarations, including additional coding and evidence for Onward Supply Relief.
Expanded data needs for electronic licence submissions, with traders required to provide more detailed information.
These updates aim to enhance data accuracy and compliance across the UK border, but they also mean businesses must review processes, update systems, and check any pre-lodged declarations scheduled to move after the changes take effect.
How UKP Worldwide Can Help
At UKP Worldwide, we know that customs changes especially those involving CDS create operational risk, extra admin, and potential delays.
Our team is here to make sure you stay compliant, prepared, and interruption-free.
We support businesses with:
✔️ Expert review of existing customs processes to ensure they meet the new CDS standards
✔️ Guidance on updated AI/document code requirements
✔️ Specialist support for Northern Ireland exports, including Onward Supply Relief procedures
✔️ Training for operational teams so they understand new validation and data rules
✔️ End-to-end customs management, ensuring declarations remain accurate, timely, and compliant
✔️ Hands-on help during the CDS downtime window, including planning movements and managing any impacted GMRs
As the UK customs landscape evolves, UKP Worldwide continues to provide clear, practical and compliant solutions for importers, exporters, marketplaces, carriers, and logistics partners.
If you’re unsure how these updates may affect your supply chain or would like advice on staying compliant, the UKP Worldwide team is ready to assist.
📩 Get in touch with our customs experts today.