CDS · Customs Declaration Service

Import & Export
Declarations. Automated.

Full UK Customs Declaration Service — import C88 and export declarations filed directly with HMRC. AI classification, automatic duty calculation, and real-time MRN tracking.

Read our guides

< 60s

Average declaration time

100%

HMRC CDS compliant

7 yrs

Audit trail retention

What is CDS?

The UK's replacement for CHIEF — the mandatory system for all UK import and export declarations.

The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is HMRC's modern customs platform, replacing the legacy CHIEF system. All UK imports and exports now require declarations filed through CDS. Non-compliance results in goods being held at the border and significant financial penalties.

Droblet connects directly to HMRC CDS and automates the entire declaration lifecycle — from document ingestion to MRN confirmation — with AI-powered tariff classification and automatic duty calculation built in.

How it works

From trade document to HMRC clearance.

01

Upload Trade Document

Commercial invoice, packing list, or bill of lading — Droblet reads every field instantly.

02

AI Classifies & Calculates

Commodity codes suggested, duty rates applied, and all C88/EX fields pre-populated automatically.

03

Submit to HMRC CDS

Declaration filed directly with HMRC Customs Declaration Service. MRN returned within seconds.

04

Release & Audit

Track declaration status to clearance. Full document archive retained for 7 years for post-clearance audit.

Features

Full CDS compliance, end to end.

Import Declarations (C88)

Full C88 import declarations filed directly with HMRC CDS. All duty, VAT, and tariff codes calculated and validated automatically.

Export Declarations (EX)

Electronic export declarations submitted to HMRC CDS. Supports standard, simplified, and supplementary declarations.

AI Tariff Classification

Droblet AI suggests the correct HS/commodity code based on your goods description. Reduces classification errors and customs holds.

Duty & Tax Calculation

Real-time duty, VAT, and customs charges calculated per shipment. Full landed cost visibility before declaration is filed.

EORI & Trader Validation

Automatic EORI number validation against HMRC databases. Flags invalid or expired EORI numbers before submission.

Deferment Account Management

Supports duty deferment accounts. Manage authorised use of deferment and generate monthly DAN statements automatically.

Technical specs

Built for UK trade compliance.

RegulationUK HMRC CDS (post-CHIEF)
Declaration TypesC88 Import, EX Export, Simplified, Supplementary
Submission Time< 60 seconds average
Supported FormatsPDF, CSV, XML, EDI, API
Connected ToHMRC CDS, Descartes, iCustoms
Data Retention7 years full audit trail

Automate your UK customs declarations.

Import or export — Droblet handles the full CDS declaration lifecycle so your team focuses on the shipment, not the paperwork.