NTE 2025/16: updated use of special and diacritic characters on the customs declaration service (CDS)
Published 17 June 2025
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/notice-to-exporters-202516-updated-use-of-special-and-diacritic-characters-on-the-customs-declaration-service-cds/nte-202516-updated-use-of-special-and-diacritic-characters-on-the-customs-declaration-service-cds
Introduction
The NTE 2024/31: use of special and diacritic characters on the customs declaration service (CDS) has been updated.
The change we are making
We are planning to deliver a change to the CDS that will exclude case sensitivity and will include the acceptance of special and diacritic characters on licences which are used for the import and export of licensable goods.
What currently happens if a declarant tries to use case sensitive and special and diacritic characters
Currently, case sensitive and special and diacritic characters are unable to be used on licences received from other government departments (OGDs). The current workaround for licences for licensable goods informs OGDs to remove any special and diacritic characters or tab keys and excludes the use of lower-case postcodes. This workaround will no longer be required after the change.
When this change will be implemented
This change will be delivered as part of CDS Release 4.8.0. The release date will be communicated to external stakeholders via their usual communication channels.
Further information
For any queries that are not covered by this publication, please contact the CDS Enhancement Delivery Hub (BCD) mailbox.