CDS Release 5.2.0 Guidance for Traders

** Release date changed to 4th July 2026 **

CDS Release 5.2.0 will be delivered on 4th July 2026. 

Due to scheduled maintenance the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will be unavailable to all users from 8:00 pm Saturday 4th July until 02:30 am on Sunday 5th July 2026. 

This release contains updates to some Additional Procedure Codes and Additional Information Codes.  The attached PDF document (see below) contains guidance on how to complete declarations following these changes.

Due to the changes introduced in this release, there may be an impact on prelodged Declarations. Any prelodged Declarations that will arrive on or after the release date that will be affected by the changes in this document will need to be amended to be compliant with these changes prior to 4th July or the Declarations will be rejected.

CDS declarations should not be submitted during the outage period. 

Creating, updating, or embarking a goods movement reference (GMR) during this time might be affected. Only goods with pre-lodged declarations attached to a GMR will be allowed to move using Goods Vehicle Movement Service (GVMS). 

For guidance on GVMS, read https://www.gov.uk/guidance/goods-vehicle-movement-service-service-availability-and-issues

For import movements using GVMS, you should check the declaration status and arrive where needed https://www.gov.uk/guidance/manually-arrive-your-goods-in-the-uk. 

If moving consignments containing controlled goods with pre-lodged declarations, read the https://www.gov.uk/guidance/list-of-goods-imported-into-great-britain-from-the-eu-that-are-controlled and attend port inspection facilities or inland border facilities for goods to be inspected and released.

Exports should have Permission to Progress (P2P) before travelling.

See Attached Document