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Guidance

Transfer files securely with HMRC

Register for or sign into the online service to transfer data to and from HMRC.

You can use this service to securely transfer data files to and from HMRC. This was formerly known as the ‘Secure Data Exchange Service’.

HMRC will contact you with an invitation to register for this service. You’ll need to be invited to register.

If you were already registered for the Secure Data Exchange Service, you will not need to register again. You can sign in to this service using your existing details.

Register for the service

Once you get an invitation from HMRC, you’ll be able to register for the service. How you register depends on what you’re going to use the service for.

Register under the Sending parcels to Northern Ireland scheme

If you’re sending parcels to Northern Ireland as part of the Windsor Framework, you must register to use this service.

To register, email btc_sdesregistration@hmrc.gov.uk using ‘Register: Moving Parcels to Northern Ireland’ as the subject. The email should include your:

We’ll send you an email with instructions about how to complete your registration.

Once you’ve registered, we’ll send you a Service Reference Number (SRN) and information type for your transfer.

Read technical guidance about using this service as part of the Sending parcels to Northern Ireland scheme.

Register as a pension scheme administrator

If you’re a pension scheme administrator affected by the public service pensions remedy, you can register by email at publicservicepensionsremedy@hmrc.gov.uk.

Your email must include:

  • ‘File transfer registration’ in the subject line
  • the name and Pension Scheme Tax Reference (PSTR) of the pension scheme to be registered
  • your pension scheme administrator ID
  • a named contact and a contact email address for them

We’ll send an email to the named contact with instructions about how to complete the registration.

Once you’ve registered, you can sign in to your HMRC business tax account to access the service.

Sign into the service

To sign in, you’ll need the Government Gateway user ID and password you used to set up your business tax account.

You cannot use your GOV.UK One Login username and password for this service.

Sign in

Online services may be slow during busy times. Check if there are any problems with this service.

Get more help

Contact the file transfer service team for help accessing or using the service.

Updates to this page

Published 24 January 2018
Last updated 30 June 2026 Show all updates
  1. The name of the service has changed from the ‘Secure Data Exchange Service’ to ‘Transfer files securely with HMRC’. The methods for registration have been updated.

  2. Information has been added for pension scheme administrators affected by the public service pensions remedy who need to register for the Secure Data Exchange Service.

  3. Guidance in the 'Set up SDES for the first time' section has been updated.

  4. First published.

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