Guidance

Register for the National Export System to make an export declaration

Find out how to register for the National Export System (NES) and how to make an export declaration.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

The Customs Declaration Service will be used for declarations on goods movements to or from Northern Ireland, including goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

All other declarations can continue to be made on the Customs Handling of Imports and Exports Freight (CHIEF) based National Export System (NES).

You can use the system to send declarations through:

  • web
  • email
  • XML
  • Community Systems Providers

Before you start

You must have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.

You must also have a CHIEF badge role (if you’re using a freight forwarder you do not need to apply).

Registering for web declarations

To make your declaration through the web you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you register.

Registering for email declarations

To make your declaration by sending an email, you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you register. If you choose this method you’ll also need:

Email cannot be used for common agricultural policy declarations.

Registering for XML declarations

To make your declaration by XML declaration, you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you register. If you choose this method you’ll also need:

Community Systems Providers

Community Systems Providers run the major inventory-controlled ports around the UK. You can access the export system indirectly through a Community Systems Provider using your own software or software provided by an independent software company.

Freight forwarders buy annual badges to their systems and charge exporters a fee for entering goods for export on their behalf. Customs do not charge for use of their systems and any charges are set by the freight forwarders direct.

Published 2 August 2012
Last updated 23 December 2020 + show all updates
  1. This page has been updated with information about 1 January 2021.

  2. Sections 'Registering for email declarations and 'Registering for XML declarations' have been updated with a link to Software developers providing customs declaration support.

  3. The HMRC telephone number to use to get help or advice has been updated.

  4. Link to National Export System contact page added.

  5. The business hours of the Custom Input Entries facility at the National Clearance Hub has been updated.

  6. The section 'How to access NES'. has been updated with the different routes into CHIEF and information about how to apply for a CHIEF badge.

  7. Updates made to reflect changes resulting from the introduction of the Union Customs Code.

  8. Telephone and fax numbers removed for the CHIEF Operations Team as now an email only helpdesk

  9. Fixing references to specialist guides

  10. External links to BIFA and Destin8 removed from additional information

  11. First published.