Guidance

Preference codes for Data Element 4/17 of the Customs Declaration Service

Find codes for the preferential origin status of goods (Appendix 12).

• From: HM Revenue & Customs
• Published: 1 August 2018
• Last updated: 8 May 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 8 May 2026

     CDS Preference Codes 200, 215, 218, 220, 225, 240 and 250 in Appendix 12 have been updated with references to the Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS).

  2. 9 December 2022

     The preference codes for Data Element 4/17 of the Customs Declaration Service have been updated to include notes in Appendix 12 to indicate that preference codes 215, 218, 250, 318, 350 and 500 are not currently in use. These preference codes must not be used on declarations.

  3. 1 August 2018

     First published.

Documents

Preference codes for Data Element 4/17 of the Customs Declaration Service

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Details

Known error workarounds may apply to this area of the instructions.

This list contains the 3-digit codes to be used to indicate the preferential origin status of the goods in Data Element 4/17.

These codes should be completed in Data Element 4/17 where the goods are entering a free circulation regime (including end-use), or where a claim to Tariff preference or quotas is established upon entry to the customs procedure.

The 3-digit code indicates whether a reduction in, or relief from, import duty applies. This includes specific duties and other equivalent charges applicable to CAP goods.

A definitive list of the combinations of these digits and their usage is provided in the table.