The UK’s new CERTEX system for goods moving into Northern Ireland has been live since 15 September, but HMRC has already reported problems with traders entering the wrong reference numbers. The errors are leading to rejected declarations and delays at the border.
Example: CHEDA.XI.2025.1234567
Any declaration lodged without this format will be rejected once the goods arrive, and shipments cannot be released until the paperwork is corrected.
HMRC has confirmed that some traders have been submitting declarations using the wrong reference format in the first week of the system’s operation. The National Clearance Hub (NCH) cannot fix these mistakes, meaning the responsibility falls on the declarant to amend the entry in the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
For all other regulated consignments, the new CHED format is mandatory. Pre-lodged declarations submitted before 15 September using the old format must now be amended in CDS before arrival.
Traders and hauliers can seek guidance through:
The first week of CERTEX has already shown that incorrect CHED references are a real risk. Hauliers moving plants, animals, foodstuffs or gases into Northern Ireland should check that their paperwork uses the new format to avoid rejected declarations and unnecessary delays.
