CFSP Traders with in-house bespoke duty
management packages/Software Houses providing Duty
Management systems to CFSP traders
CHIEF volumetrics and a potential degradation in performance
Usage of CHIEF has been increasing year on year and we have noted a significant and
sustained increase in the number of CHIEF declarations since November 2012.
CHIEF capacity is dictated by trading patterns and as such future projections for processing
limits are based upon historic precedents in high volume areas. Changes to these patterns
mean that CHIEF is likely to exceed its volume capacity in the near future. The result of this
will be degradation in service to all users.
One of the key factors is some users instead of submitting a comparatively small number of
multi-item entries, are now submitting mainly single-itemed declarations. In November this
meant that although there was actually a small decrease in the number of items processed,
there was a huge increase in the number of entries.
In order to avoid a degradation of service for all CHIEF users (particularly at busy times such
as the last 4 days of the month), the volume of entries needs to be managed in a revised
manner.
Therefore we need to consider, in the medium to long term, a voluntary aggregation of
entries by users in accordance with the requirements set out in CFSP Information Paper 37 –
SAD Harmonisation and its effect on CFSP aggregation rules.
enior manager role: Name2
If the necessary reductions in volumes cannot be achieved through voluntary action by the
trade, we may need to consider changes to legislation, in order to maintain CHIEF
performance for all.
In order to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution, we propose a meeting to be held
between representatives from software houses providing Duty Management Systems to
CFSP traders and relevant HMRC policy and operational areas to discuss solutions to this
issue.
If anyone would like to put forward their views on this and any suggestions they may wish to
discuss at the meeting. We are opening this consultation with a 2 week period in which we
would like you to send your e-mails to Jayne.evans@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk . This initial period of
consultation will conclude on Friday 5th April 2013.
We will then be arranging a meeting in Southend for week beginning 22nd April and invite
interested parties to attend.
Yours Sincerely
Ian Wilkins
