September 26, 2022
AGI News
Customs
Group 7 Data Elements refer to the modes, means, and equipment used in the transportation of goods. This includes each stage of the journey from the point of origin (third country) to the country of destination and on to the final destination. Details of the type of transport used must be included at specific points in the journey including at the port of export and the location of arrival where import formalities are undertaken.
The current Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system is ending. CHIEF import declarations will close after 30th September 2022. CHIEF export declarations and the National Exports System (NES) will both close after 31st March 2023. They will be replaced by the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
Modes of transport
When completing the CDS section on transport information, the first thing to do is declare whether the goods are transported in containers or not. This is particularly relevant at the point of crossing the external Union border. In terms of modes of transport, a code should be entered that corresponds with one of the following:
- Maritime (Sea)
- Rail
- Road
- Air
- Postal (Mail) consignment
- Roll-on-Roll-off (RoRo)
- Fixed transport installations
- Inland waterway
- Mode unknown
Unknown modes of transport may include goods transported by their own propulsion, eg. Gas supplies, watercraft imported via sea for purchase. An example of RoRo transport is goods transported through the Channel Tunnel.
Combined transport and container identification
Sometimes certain goods may require more than one mode of transportation. In this instance, it is the active means of transport that should be declared. For example, the active means of transport is that which propels the whole combination, when a lorry goes onto a sea-going vessel, the ship is the active means of transport.
For goods transported in containers, specific information must be entered using the CDS. A container refers to a re-usable container designed for the transportation of goods. For road and rail transport, swap bodies and semi-trailers are classified as containers. In air transport containers are special boxes used to carry freight.
For more information on modes of transport and their classification visit the government website.