Customs Declaration Service errors
Find out how to identify, understand and resolve Customs Declaration Service errors returned when submitting declarations through the Trader Support Service.
Contents
- Before you start
- Breaking down the error message
- Common errors
- If you still cannot resolve the error
Before you start
When you submit certain types of declarations through the Trader Support Service, they are sent to the Customs Declaration Service for validation and processing.
This includes:
- Simplified Declarations
- Internal Market Movement Information (IMMI)
- Supplementary Declarations
- Standard Declarations
- Export Declarations
If the Customs Declaration Service identifies an issue with the declaration, it will return an error message explaining why the declaration could not be accepted.
The Trader Support Service will display the Customs Declaration Service error code and error message, and the declaration status will change to Trader Input required. Customs Declaration Service error codes begin with ‘CDS’, followed by a number.
You can use this guidance to understand what the error means and what action you need to take to resolve it.
Breaking down the error message
When a declaration is rejected, the service will display an error message explaining why the declaration could not be accepted.
Take the following example:
You can break down the error message into the following parts:
1. Error code
In this example, the error code is:
CDS40045
The error code is the reference number for the specific error. You can use this reference to look up additional guidance on the Customs Declaration Service error code guidance.
2. Description of the error
In this example, the description is:
Missing document
The description provides a summary of what is wrong. In this case, a document required to declare the goods is missing.
3. Location of the error
In this example, the location is:
Declaration->GoodsShipment->GovernmentAgencyGoodsItem(1)
The location helps you identify where the error exists within the declaration.
If the location shows only:
Declaration->GoodsShipment
The error relates to information entered at consignment level.
If the location includes:
GovernmentAgencyGoodsItem(XX)
The error relates to a specific goods item. The number in brackets identifies the affected goods item. In this example, (1) means the error relates to goods item 1.
You may receive the same error more than once if it affects multiple goods items.
4. Identifying the problem
In this example, the problem is:
AdditionalDocument;FriendlyName: Doc Code Statement
This part of the message provides more detail about the information causing the error.
Combined with the description Missing document, it indicates that a required document code or associated document details are missing from the declaration.
To identify the missing document, you can check the commodity code in the Northern Ireland Online Tariff to identify any controls, measures or document requirements that apply to the goods being declared. These may indicate the document code, licence or certificate that is missing from the declaration.
You can also review the Customs Declaration Service completion instructions for imports or exports to identify any additional documents required for the procedure code being used.
These sources will often identify the document codes, licences, certificates or supporting information required for the goods being declared.
Some error messages may also include additional information to help identify exactly what needs to be corrected.
Common errors
CDS10002
Description of error
Obligation error: Data Element is not allowed.
What it means
Information has been entered in a field that is not permitted for the declaration being submitted.
Likely causes
This may be because:
- an entry was made at goods level for a data element that is only permitted at consignment level, or vice versa
- a field has been completed that is not allowed for the declaration type or procedure being used
- an additional information code, document code or other reference has been included where the procedure code rules do not permit it
How to resolve
Read the full error message and follow the steps in the previous section,Breaking down the error message, to identify what field has caused the error.
Once you have identified the field or information causing the error, remove any information that is not permitted for the declaration type, procedure or goods being declared.
Resubmit the declaration after you have corrected the error.
CDS10020
Description of error
Data field entry has an invalid value
What it means
A value entered in the declaration is not valid.
This can happen when:
- a valid code has been entered, but it cannot be used for the declaration type being submitted
- a valid code has been entered in a field where it is not permitted
For example, a document code that is only permitted on export declarations has been entered on an import declaration.
Likely causes
This may be because:
- an invalid document code, additional information code or procedure code has been entered
- a code has been entered that is not permitted for the declaration type being submitted
- a valid code has been entered at the wrong level of the declaration, such as at item level instead of consignment level
How to resolve
Read the full error message and follow the steps in the previous section, Breaking down the error message, to identify what code has caused the error.
Check that the code entered is valid for the declaration type, procedure and goods being declared.
Correct the invalid value and resubmit the declaration.
CDS12007
Description of error
Authorisation Error: Authorisation has expired or Authorisation reference number provided is not recognised
What it means
The authorisation reference declared has not been accepted by the Customs Declaration Service.
This may be because the authorisation has expired, the reference number does not belong to the party using it on the declaration, or the reference number is not recognised.
Likely causes
This may be because:
- the authorisation has expired and has not been renewed
- the reference number does not match the EORI number of the party using it on the declaration
- the reference number has been entered incorrectly or is in the wrong format
- the authorisation has recently been granted but is not yet available in the Customs Declaration Service
How to resolve
Read the full error message and follow the steps in the previous section, Breaking down the error message to identify the authorisation causing the error.
Check that:
- the authorisation reference number has been entered correctly
- the authorisation is valid and has not expired
- the authorisation belongs to the trader using it on the declaration
- the EORI number on the declaration matches the EORI number associated with the authorisation
If the authorisation has recently been granted or amended, wait and try submitting the declaration again later.
After correcting the error
After you have corrected any outstanding errors, resubmit the declaration.
If the declaration is accepted, the declaration status will update to Authorised for Movement.
If the declaration is rejected again, review the new error message and repeat the process.
Multiple errors may exist on the same declaration. Some errors may only become visible after earlier errors have been corrected.
If you still cannot resolve the error
If you are unable to resolve the error after following this guidance, you should first review the declaration guidance relevant to the type of declaration you are submitting.
Make sure you are using guidance available on the Trader Support Service Customs guidance page, accessible from the Menu, that relates to the declaration type you are trying to complete. For example, if you are receiving errors while completing a supplementary declaration, you should check the guidance that relates to the supplementary declaration.
GOV.UK also hosts a range of guidance on Customs Declaration Service declaration completion instructions for:
If you still cannot resolve the error, you can use the support options available through the Trader Support Service, including:
- the digital assistant
- creating a support case
- contacting the contact centre by telephone on 0800 870 8173
When contacting support, provide:
the declaration reference
- the CDS error code
- the full error message
- details of any steps you have already taken to resolve the issue
This will help the contact centre investigate the error more quickly.
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