How to Access Your Customs Data from GOV.UK

Simplifying Trade, Maximising Returns

What is the Customs Data Service?

HMRC has launched a free self-service system that allows UK businesses to access their Customs Declaration Service (CDS) data. This service provides detailed reports on your import and export declarations, helping you maintain accurate records, support audits, and monitor your customs activity over time.

Key Benefits

Free Service: Access your customs data at no cost for EORI numbers starting with GB
4 Report Types: Choose from import items, headers, tax lines, and export items reports
4 Years of Data: Request data from any date within the last 4 years (excluding past 2 days)
Quick Turnaround: Reports delivered within 72 hours as downloadable CSV files

Before You Begin: Prerequisites

Before you can access your customs data, you must have the following in place. If you're not already registered for CDS, follow the registration steps in this guide.

1. EORI Number (GB)

You need an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number that starts with GB. This is essential for any customs declarations.

Apply for an EORI number

2. Government Gateway Account

You must have an individual or organisation Government Gateway user ID (not an agent ID).

Create Government Gateway account

3. CDS Subscription

You need to be subscribed to the Customs Declaration Service. Your EORI and CDS accounts will be linked to your Government Gateway user ID.

Subscribe to CDS

Register for CDS (If Not Already Registered)

If you haven't registered for the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), you'll need to complete this first. The process takes approximately 7-8 minutes.

Information You'll Need

Your registered business address
Email address for HMRC contact
Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) if registered for Self Assessment or Corporation Tax (you can provide your National Insurance number if you're a sole trader or individual)
VAT details: registration number, postcode where registered, and date of registration
SIC code (Standard Industrial Classification) if applying as a company, partnership, sole trader, charity, or public body

Registration Link: Register for CDS Now

Important Note: When you register for CDS, the system will automatically create your EORI number if you don't already have one. Your subscription can be used for both imports and exports. You cannot apply for more than one EORI number using the same Government Gateway user ID.

Step-by-Step Guide to Access Your Data

Step 1: Navigate to the Service

Go to the GOV.UK customs data service page and click on the 'Start now' button.

‍Access the Service

Step 2: Sign In

You'll be prompted to sign in using your Government Gateway credentials. Enter your user ID and password.

Step 3: Select Report Type

Choose from the 4 available report types based on your needs. See the 'Report Types' section below for details on each option.

For CAT360 Users: The Import Item Report is currently the most important report type. Support for additional report types will be available in Q1 2026.

Step 4: Enter Date Range

Specify the date range for your report:

You can request data from any date within the last 4 years (excluding the past 2 days)
The date range must be for up to 31 consecutive days
If you need data covering more than 31 days, you'll need to submit multiple requests

Best Practice: Month-to-Month Coverage
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To ensure you have complete customs data coverage without any gaps, we recommend requesting data aligned with calendar months. Since the previous monthly reporting system guaranteed no gaps, it's important to be methodical when selecting your date ranges.

Example: Request data from 1 January to 31 January, then 1 February to 28 February, and so on. This approach ensures every day is covered and makes it easier to track your data requests over time.

Step 5: Confirm Your Request

Review the details of your request (report type, date range, EORI number) and submit it.

Step 6: Wait for Report Generation

Reports are typically available within 72 hours. You'll receive a confirmation email when your report is ready to download.

Step 7: Download Your Report

Return to the service and download your report as a CSV file. The report will be available for download for 10 days.

Granting Third-Party Access to Barbourne Brook

If you require Barbourne Brook to access and upload your customs data on your behalf for CAT360, you'll need to grant us authority through your CDS account. This authorisation allows us to use your cash account or duty deferment account to access your customs data.

Why Grant Third-Party Access?

Granting Barbourne Brook access enables us to:

Retrieve your customs data automatically on your behalf
Upload data directly to CAT360, saving you time and effort
Ensure your CAT360 analysis is always up-to-date with the latest customs data
Provide you with a seamless, hands-free data management experience

How to Grant Barbourne Brook Access

Follow these steps to authorise Barbourne Brook:

1. Sign in to Your CDS Account

Go to the Customs Declaration Service and sign in using your Government Gateway user ID and password.

‍Access CDS Financials Portal

2. Navigate to 'Manage Account Authorities'

Once logged in, look for the 'Manage Account Authorities' link on your CDS dashboard homepage and click on it.

3. Add Barbourne Brook as an Agent

Click the 'Add Agent' button (usually displayed as a green button). You'll be prompted to enter the agent's EORI number.

4. Enter Barbourne Brook's EORI Number

Enter the following EORI number: GB331960313000

5. Select Account Types

You'll be asked which accounts you wish to grant Barbourne Brook access to. Select the relevant options:

Cash Account (if applicable)
Duty Deferment Account (if applicable)

We recommend ticking all relevant boxes to ensure full access.

6. Confirm Company Details

The system will display Barbourne Brook's company details for verification. Confirm that the information is correct.

7. Set the Start Date

You'll be asked to select a start date for the authority. We recommend setting this to today's date or the date you wish the authorisation to begin.

8. Submit the Authorisation

Review all details and click 'Submit' to complete the authorisation process. The authority should be active within 24 hours.

Important Notes

Authority Duration: The authority you grant typically lasts for 18 months. You'll need to renew it before it expires to ensure uninterrupted access.
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‍Removing Access: You can remove Barbourne Brook's authority at any time by returning to 'Manage Account Authorities' and selecting 'Remove'.
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‍Security: Granting authority only allows Barbourne Brook to access customs data on your behalf. We cannot make changes to your account or financial settings.

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues granting access or have questions about the process, please contact us at enquiries@barbournebrook.co.uk or call +44 (0)121 403 3901. Our team is here to assist you.

Available Report Types

Choose the report type that best suits your business needs:

Report Type	Description
Import Item Report	Detailed item-level information including commodity codes, values, and quantities
Import Header Report	Declaration summaries with reference numbers and dates
Import Tax Lines Report	Duty and tax details for financial reconciliation
Export Item Report	Export declaration data including destinations and goods descriptions

Troubleshooting & FAQs

I don't have a Government Gateway account. How do I create one?

Visit the Government Gateway registration page and follow the on-screen instructions. You'll need some basic personal or business information to set up your account.

My report hasn't arrived within 72 hours. What should I do?

First, check your spam folder for the notification email. If you still haven't received it, sign back into the service and check if the report is available for download. If the issue persists, contact HMRC support.

Can I request data for multiple EORI numbers?

Yes, but you'll need to submit separate requests for each EORI number. Each EORI must be linked to a Government Gateway account.

Is there a cost to access this data?

No, the service is completely free for EORI numbers starting with GB. If you need to access XI reports you will still need to pay.

What file format are the reports provided in?

All reports are provided as CSV (Comma-Separated Values) files, which can be opened in spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.

How often can I request data?

There's no limit on how often you can request data. You can submit multiple requests for different date ranges or report types as needed.