Important Update: Changes to CDS Preference Declarations.

From 28 March 2026, the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) will no longer accept the current method of declaring preference at import. This change requires all declarants to follow an updated format when submitting preference claims.

What’s Changing?

When declaring a preference in Data Element (DE) 4/17 that is not within the 1XX series (e.g. 100, 110, 120), you must now complete both of the following data elements:

• DE 5/15 – Country of Origin
• DE 5/16 – Country of Preferential Origin

Failure to complete both fields correctly will result in a CDS rejection

For more information email our International Trade Team:  Exportmailbox@staffordshirechambers.co.uk Or click here for a free CBAM health check