Measurement unit codes for Data Elements 2/3 and 4/4 of the Customs Declaration Service
Find the measurement unit codes for Data Elements 2/3 and 4/4 when making a declaration to the Customs Declaration Service (Appendix 20).
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Details
Known error workarounds may apply to this area of the instructions.
These codes should only be completed in Data Elements 4/4 and 2/3 where a commodity code, document or manual tax calculation requires the provision of a measurement unit and qualifier. Where these are not stipulated against the document code, procedure code or commodity code, this data is not required unless a manual tax calculation is being used.
Note about code GBP
Code GBP may only be used when a manual duty calculation is being made. It must not be used in any other circumstances in Data Element 4/4.
Code GBP must not be used in Data Element 2/3 in any circumstances.
Measurement units and the tax calculation — Data Element 4/4 (tax base)
The measurement units and qualifiers should only be completed in Data Element 4/4 (tax base) where they are required to support the calculation of the tax amounts, for example, a third quantity is required such as alcoholic strength by volume or a manual tax calculation is being made.
Where a manual tax calculation is being made, the only measurement unit code that may be declared in Data Element 4/4 is ‘GBP’.
Where a commodity code requires a measurement unit and qualifier (where applicable), this will be specified against the commodity code details in the UK Integrated Online Tariff or the Northern Ireland Online Tariff.
Where the specific commodity code requires a measurement unit or qualifier to be declared, enter the appropriate code for the commodity’s measurement unit type using the attached list.
For example, if the commodity requires a quantity in litres, enter the measurement unit code of LTR followed by the quantity declared in litres.
Measurement units and documentation write-off — Data Element 2/3
A measurement unit and qualifier is only required where a specific quantity and measurement type has to be decremented against a specific document. For example, a licence has been issued for a total quantity of liquids in litres.
Where the specific document requires a measurement unit or qualifier to be declared, enter the appropriate code for the commodity’s or document’s measurement unit type using the attached list.
For example, if the document requires a quantity in litres, enter the measurement unit code of LTR. The quantity of litres being declared should be entered against the eighth component: quantity.
If no quantity, measurement unit or qualifier is required, this data element should be omitted.
Measurement unit and qualifier codes for the Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
The spreadsheet contains a list of measurement unit codes, their descriptions and qualifiers (where applicable). The codes from columns A and B are the only codes which may be declared to CDS in respect of Data Elements 2/3 and 4/4.
The code in column D (CHIEF code) is provided for reference purposes only to ease the cross-referencing of old and new codes. The CHIEF code must not be declared to CDS.
Last updated 17 July 2023 + show all updates
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Appendix 20 end date for wine easement has been updated.
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Appendix 20 updated in measurement unit codes for Data Elements 2/3 and 4/4 of the Customs Declaration Service to add codes SPR and EAS in preparation for the changes in the alcohol excise regime from 1 August 2023.
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The page has been updated to correct an error in the definition of measurement unit code MWH.
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First published.