Change description : 2025-12-04 09:23:00: The hyperlink in point 4 and the hyperlink to ‘4-Digit to 3-Digit Procedure to Additional Procedure Code Correlation Matrix: Inventory Imports’ have been corrected. [Guidance and regulation]
Navigate the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) Bulk Import Reduced Data Set (BIRDS) Declarations and Customs Clearance Request (CCR) completion instructions for inventory imports
Follow these steps to take when preparing to make a BIRDS declaration or Customs Clearance Request on the Customs Declaration Service.
Navigating the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) Bulk Import Reduced Data Set (BIRDS) Declarations and Customs Clearance Request (CCR) completion instructions for inventory imports to assist in the completion of BIRDS declarations and CCRs
Ensure that the goods are eligible to be declared using a BIRDS declaration, a CCR or whether a written import customs declaration must be used before proceeding.
When completing a CDS BIRDS declaration or CCR, it is recommended that you:
Use the index lists in Appendix 23 and Appendix 25 to identify which Declaration Category Data Set should be used for the type of declaration or CCR being made.
Use the relevant Declaration Category Data Set Table in Appendix 23 or Appendix 25 to identify which Data Elements (DE) must be completed for the type of declaration or CCR being made.
The UK Integrated Online Tariff or the Northern Ireland Online Tariff should then be consulted to find the commodity code for the goods being declared and identify any specific tariff measures or document codes which may apply to the commodity code.
Identify whether any documents specified against the commodity code require pre-clearance control. Where pre-clearance documentary controls, such as licences or certificates require endorsement prior to the release of the goods, (for example, animal health are required), then an 8-digit commodity code must be declared in DE 6/14 on the C21i.
Prohibited, restricted and licensable goods may not be declared using BIRDS or a C21i EIDR NOP.
The commodity code will also specify what the duty and VAT rates apply to the goods. Where revenue has to be paid or secured using the CCR, use these rates to manually calculate the tax line information to be declared in DE 4/3 to 4/8.
The Index lists for the 4-digit Procedure Codes in Appendix 1 Inventory Imports: DE 1/10: Requested and Previous Procedure Codes should then be used to identify the appropriate procedure code to be declared in DE 1/10 for the treatment or use to which the goods will be released for BIRDS declarations and CCRs.
The Procedure Codes listed in the Inventory Imports Appendix 1 index lists are not valid for use on a C21i EIDR NOP. Procedure Codes from the CDS Declaration Instructions for Imports collection must be used instead.
The DE 1/10 to DE 1/11 Correlation Matrix should then be used to see which Additional Procedure Codes are permitted for use with the chosen 4-digit Procedure CodeCode.
The Index Lists for the Additional Procedure Codes in Appendix 2 Inventory Imports: DE 1/11: Additional Procedure Codes should be used to identify any supplementary conditions that apply to the intended usage for the goods, from the list of those permitted with the DE 1/10 Procedure Code.
The Additional Procedure Codes listed in the Inventory Imports Appendix 2 index lists are not valid for use on a C21i EIDR NOP. Additional Procedure Codes from the CDS Declaration Instructions for Imports collection must be used instead.
The main CDS BIRDS Declarations and CCR completion instructions for inventory imports should then be used, in conjunction with the additional completion instructions provided in Appendices 1 and 2 to complete the BIRDS declaration or CCR according to the commodity code and procedures to be used.
Where the completion rules for a specific DE in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 specify different rules to the main DE completion guidance or other appendices, the rules specified in Appendices 1 and 2 take precedence.
The BIRDS declaration or CCR should be completed with continued reference to the appropriate Appendices (please see the Appendices Index list for details) for the specific DE to identify any specific codes to be used, such as tax types and country codes.
CDS Declaration Instructions for Inventory Imports Contents list
The index has been updated to reflect the withdrawal of Approved Depositary status and the addition of excise guidance.
22 April 2024
Menu links to Appendix 14 have been shortened to remove reference to Data Element 5/12.
9 February 2023
The guidance has been updated with a link to 'Appendix 16N: DE 5/23: Goods Location Codes: Authorised Consignee Temporary Storage (ACTS)'.
20 September 2022
The Navigation guidance has been updated to include references to Appendix 25 and the Bulk Import Reduced Data Set Declaration Category. The Inventory Imports Contents List has also been updated.