Case Study: How We Helped a UK SME Navigate the CDS Transition
Background
Names have been changed for client confidentiality.
Hartfield Manufacturing Ltd is a mid-sized UK manufacturer of specialist industrial components, importing raw materials primarily from Asia and exporting finished products to Europe and the Middle East. They had been managing their own customs declarations for over a decade using CHIEF.
When HMRC announced the CHIEF decommission and the mandatory move to CDS, Hartfield's operations manager faced a significant challenge: their internal team lacked the technical knowledge to transition to CDS, and their existing customs software was not compatible with the new system.
The Challenge
Hartfield approached us three months before their planned CDS go-live date with the following issues:
- Software incompatibility: Their legacy customs software could not connect to CDS
- Data element gaps: Their internal processes captured CHIEF-era data that did not map directly to CDS requirements
- Procedure code confusion: CDS procedure codes work differently from CHIEF's CPCs — their team was unfamiliar with the new structure
- Time pressure: They had active shipments arriving weekly that could not be delayed
Our Approach
Phase 1: Immediate Declaration Support (Week 1–4)
We took over all import and export declarations on an interim basis while the client's internal situation was assessed. This ensured no disruption to their supply chain.
Phase 2: Gap Analysis and CDS Setup (Week 2–6)
We conducted a full review of their import and export flows, mapping each to the correct CDS declaration category, procedure codes, and data elements. We also assisted with enrolling their business on CDS and linking their duty deferment account.
Phase 3: Software and Process Upgrade (Week 4–10)
Working alongside their IT team, we helped evaluate and implement a CDS-compatible customs declaration software solution. We provided detailed data mapping documentation to ensure their internal systems fed the correct information into the new platform.
Phase 4: Staff Training and Handover (Week 8–12)
We delivered two training sessions for Hartfield's operations and logistics teams, covering CDS data elements, procedure codes, and the declaration lifecycle. We remained available for support calls during the transition period.
The Outcome
- Zero disruption to Hartfield's supply chain during the entire transition period
- Full CDS compliance achieved within 10 weeks
- Cost savings identified through correct tariff classification and origin review (duty reduction of approximately 12% on one key product line)
- Confidence — Hartfield's team is now equipped to manage routine declarations independently, with CDS Declarations available for complex or high-value shipments
What Hartfield's Operations Manager Said
"We were genuinely worried about the CDS transition. The complexity was beyond what we expected, and the timeline was tight. CDS Declarations kept our goods moving throughout and left us in a much stronger position than when we started. We now have proper processes in place and a team that understands what they're doing."
If your business is navigating the CDS transition or needs reliable customs declaration support, contact us to discuss how we can help.