Guidance

Register for the National Export System to make an export declaration

Find out how to register for the National Export System (NES) and how to make an export declaration.

• From: HM Revenue & Customs
• Published: 2 August 2012
• Last updated: 23 December 2020
  Show all updates

  1. 23 December 2020

     This page has been updated with information about 1 January 2021.

  2. 16 November 2020

     Sections 'Registering for email declarations and 'Registering for XML declarations' have been updated with a link to Software developers providing customs declaration support.

  3. 18 February 2019

     The HMRC telephone number to use to get help or advice has been updated.

  4. 15 February 2019

     Link to National Export System contact page added.

  5. 30 May 2018

     The business hours of the Custom Input Entries facility at the National Clearance Hub has been updated.

  6. 8 December 2017

     The section 'How to access NES'. has been updated with the different routes into CHIEF and information about how to apply for a CHIEF badge.

  7. 5 April 2016

     Updates made to reflect changes resulting from the introduction of the Union Customs Code.

  8. 5 February 2016

     Telephone and fax numbers removed for the CHIEF Operations Team as now an email only helpdesk

  9. 13 June 2013

     Fixing references to specialist guides

  10. 12 October 2012

      External links to BIFA and Destin8 removed from additional information

  11. 2 August 2012

      First published.

This guidance was withdrawn on 30 September 2024

You can no longer use the National Export System to make an export declaration.

You should now use the Customs Declaration Service for export declarations.

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

• Guidance for Northern Ireland

The Customs Declaration Service will be used for declarations on goods movements to or from Northern Ireland, including goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

All other declarations can continue to be made on the Customs Handling of Imports and Exports Freight (CHIEF) based National Export System (NES).

You can use the system to send declarations through:

• web
• email
• XML
• Community Systems Providers

Before you start

You must have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number.

You must also have a CHIEF badge role (if you’re using a freight forwarder you do not need to apply).

Registering for web declarations

To make your declaration through the web you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you register.

Registering for email declarations

To make your declaration by sending an email, you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you register. If you choose this method you’ll also need:

• a CHIEF-compatible software package (EDIFACT)
• an SMTP (standard) email connection

Email cannot be used for common agricultural policy declarations.

Registering for XML declarations

To make your declaration by XML declaration, you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one the first time you register. If you choose this method you’ll also need:

• a CHIEF-compatible software package (EDIFACT), including an XML wrapper
• an HTTPS internet connection (this is a more secure connection than HTTP)

Community Systems Providers

Community Systems Providers run the major inventory-controlled ports around the UK. You can access the export system indirectly through a Community Systems Provider using your own software or software provided by an independent software company.

Freight forwarders buy annual badges to their systems and charge exporters a fee for entering goods for export on their behalf. Customs do not charge for use of their systems and any charges are set by the freight forwarders direct.