Change description : 2026-03-20 15:33:00: New link added under ‘After you’ve subscribed’ for ‘Get customs data for import and export declarations’ [Guidance and regulation]
Subscribing your Governmentregistration Gatewaydetails userIDto the Customs Declaration Service will allow you to do things such as:
submit import and export declarations using software
get your postponed import VAT statements or get your import VAT certificates so you can complete your VAT Return
pay Customs Duty and import VAT
You do not need to subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service again if you have already done so for either imports or exports.
How to subscribe
You’ll need the Governmentsign Gatewayin userdetails IDandpasswordthat you useused for:
your business or organisation
yourself, if you’re applying as an individual
If you do not already have asign userin ID,details, youyou’ll canbe createable oneto whencreate youstart.them.
You cannot use an agent Government Gateway user ID.
You’ll need to tell us:
your EORI number that starts with GB or or XI XI— if you do not have one you can apply for an EORI number when whenyou subscribe — you’ll need to meet the eligibility criteria to register for an XI number
your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) — find your UTR if you do not know it
the address for your business that we hold on our customs records
your National Insurance number (if you’re an individual or sole trader)
the date you started your business
Your EORI number and Customs Declaration Service accounts will be linked to your Governmentsign Gatewayin userdetails. ID.You cannot apply for more than one EORI number using your GovernmentGatewayuserID.registration.
Information about what you need to tell us when you subscribe to the service has been updated.
13 December 2023
Information explaining that if you do not have an EORI number, you can apply for one when you subscribe has been added.
13 April 2023
The same Customs Declaration Service subscription can be used for imports and exports.
6 April 2023
You can no longer ask to continue to use Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF). If you want to import goods you must subscribe to the Customs Declaration Service.
28 July 2022
The email address to report issues with subscribing to the Customs Declaration Service has been removed.
11 July 2022
Guidance has been updated with contact information for any general advice about the Customs Declaration Service.
4 July 2022
The email address to report issues with subscribing to the Customs Declaration Service has been updated.
11 May 2021
This page has been updated with information about how to give others people within your business access to the Customs Declaration Service.
21 April 2021
Information has been added to explain that you cannot apply for more than one EORI number using your Government Gateway account.