Customs Handling of Import & Export Freight
Encyclopedia
Customs Handling of Import & Export Freight (CHIEF) is the computer system of the United Kingdom
's revenue and customs
services, HMRC
.
CHIEF manages both the declaration and movement of goods into and out of the United Kingdom and is a means by which UK traders
communicate with counterpart customs systems in the other member states of the European Union
.
and export
movements and calculate revenue
s due on those movements.
CHIEF accepts customs declarations from traders (possibly via CSPs – see below), validates the data, and if valid records it. It profiles the data sent and will award a "route of entry" to the declaration. This describes the steps that must occur for the movement to be permitted, and may include automatic clearance for trusted traders or a physical inspection of the good or paperwork
for other traders.
Having accepted declaration data, CHIEF and the inventory
system that is managing the physical movement of the goods communicate (without involving the trader).
Traditionally the reports are automatically printed onto paper at the trader's office, although this is slowly being replaced by entirely electronic storage.
Plc. The contract was not renewed and Capgemini
took over on 17 January 2010.
It is now managed by Aspire, a joint venture between HMRC, Fujitsu
and Capgemini.
, which while under BT ran on the VME O/S on Fujitsu
hardware. The database software
is IDMSX. The Capgemini platform may be different.
messages based on the well-known United Nations
D04A CUSDEC message. It replies using the D04A CUSRES, the CONTRL and using HMRC's twists on the UN's CONTRL and CUSRES messages, the UKCTRL and the UKCRES.
Inventory management data are exchanged with the CSPs using entirely proprietary messages, UKCINV messages.
MCP - Maritime Cargo Processing (present at, among other ports, Felixstowe
)
CNS - Community Network Services (present at, among other ports, Harwich
)
CCSUK - Cargo Community System (for airport
movements)
DHB - Dover Harbour Board
DHL - the major integrated forwarder
These CSPs have dedicated connections to CHIEF.
Traders' declarations are usually submitted using the EDIFACT format defined by HMRC, sent to the CSP who will usually check its data against their inventory before forwarding the data to CHIEF. Responses from CHIEF are sent back to the trader, either as part of the transaction
in which the upload occurred or as an unsolicited message.
using email
, an XML web service or a website
. The endpoint for the trade is a front door to all UK government services, the Government Gateway, who then use the GSI (Government Secure Intranet
) to reach CHIEF (and indeed any other government computer systems).
-like application that allows green-screen access into CHIEF. Declarations may be completed by typing data directly into CHIEF. The CSPs provide the physical means to use this method, usually both the terminal software and the transport mechanism.
s, who have ultimate control of customs activities, need a means to perform their business operations
. They access CHIEF using terminals.
.
Since 1 July 2009, CHIEF sends movement data to ECS but only when box 29, the office of exit, has been completed by the trader.
CHIEF has had the capacity receive data from other member states for when a UK customs office acts as the office of exit for some time.
Although the specification for the EDIFACT input for CHIEF for import declarations allows for CHIEF to be used for lodging pre-arrival declarations, this was never implemented and on 1 November 2010 an entirely separate Import Control System was launched.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's revenue and customs
Customs
Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting and safeguarding customs duties and for controlling the flow of goods including animals, transports, personal effects and hazardous items in and out of a country...
services, HMRC
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs is a non-ministerial department of the UK Government responsible for the collection of taxes and the payment of some forms of state support....
.
CHIEF manages both the declaration and movement of goods into and out of the United Kingdom and is a means by which UK traders
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
communicate with counterpart customs systems in the other member states of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
.
Roles
The major function of CHIEF is to manage the data behind importImport
The term import is derived from the conceptual meaning as to bring in the goods and services into the port of a country. The buyer of such goods and services is referred to an "importer" who is based in the country of import whereas the overseas based seller is referred to as an "exporter". Thus...
and export
Export
The term export is derived from the conceptual meaning as to ship the goods and services out of the port of a country. The seller of such goods and services is referred to as an "exporter" who is based in the country of export whereas the overseas based buyer is referred to as an "importer"...
movements and calculate revenue
Revenue
In business, revenue is income that a company receives from its normal business activities, usually from the sale of goods and services to customers. In many countries, such as the United Kingdom, revenue is referred to as turnover....
s due on those movements.
CHIEF accepts customs declarations from traders (possibly via CSPs – see below), validates the data, and if valid records it. It profiles the data sent and will award a "route of entry" to the declaration. This describes the steps that must occur for the movement to be permitted, and may include automatic clearance for trusted traders or a physical inspection of the good or paperwork
Paperwork
Paperwork is a term used to describe excessive, intricate or meticulous work with documents in an unnecessary and incidental way to more important tasks.- United States Paperwork Reduction Act :...
for other traders.
Having accepted declaration data, CHIEF and the inventory
Inventory
Inventory means a list compiled for some formal purpose, such as the details of an estate going to probate, or the contents of a house let furnished. This remains the prime meaning in British English...
system that is managing the physical movement of the goods communicate (without involving the trader).
Export
- Trader pre-declares data to CHIEF
- Goods physically arrive at the port
- Inventory system informs CHIEF of the goods' arrival
- CHIEF re-processes the stored declaration, now aware that the goods are at the port. It will grant 'permission to progress', at which point the goods may be loaded onto the craft.
- The craft departs and the inventory system informs CHIEF
- CSP informs the trader that the goods 'departed UK'
Import
- Trader or port system creates consignment on CSP inventory system
- Trader pre-declares data to CHIEF, stating that it represents goods on the above consignment
- CHIEF confirms with inventory system that the consignment exists
- Goods physically arrive at the port
- Inventory system informs CHIEF of the goods' arrival
- CHIEF re-processes the stored declaration, now aware that the goods are at the port. Declaration is awarded a 'route to clearance', which for trusted traders may mean automatic clearance, or may require a documentary or physical examination
- Goods are cleared automatically by CHIEF or by customs officers
- CHIEF informs inventory system of clearance
- CSP releases the cleared goods to the trader once all local port and commercial requirements are met
Reports
In both import and export scenarios, unsolicited "reports" (data designed to be rendered by the recipient computer into a human-readable format to report upon changes) are sent when a change occurs on the declaration record, such as when the record is reprocessed upon goods' arrival or when the goods depart the UK. Reports are also used to communicate customs officers' enquires or requests to the trader.Traditionally the reports are automatically printed onto paper at the trader's office, although this is slowly being replaced by entirely electronic storage.
Management
Until 2010, CHIEF was managed on behalf of HMRC by BT, British Telecommunications Plc, part of the BT GroupBT Group
BT Group plc is a global telecommunications services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the largest telecommunications services companies in the world and has operations in more than 170 countries. Through its BT Global Services division it is a major supplier of...
Plc. The contract was not renewed and Capgemini
Capgemini
Capgemini is a French global IT services company, one of the world's largest management consulting, outsourcing and professional services companies with a staff of 114,274 operating in 40 countries. It is headquartered in Paris and was founded in 1967 by Serge Kampf, the current chairman, in...
took over on 17 January 2010.
It is now managed by Aspire, a joint venture between HMRC, Fujitsu
Fujitsu
is a Japanese multinational information technology equipment and services company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is the world's third-largest IT services provider measured by revenues....
and Capgemini.
Technical information
CHIEF is a proprietary applicationProprietary software
Proprietary software is computer software licensed under exclusive legal right of the copyright holder. The licensee is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification, further distribution, or reverse engineering.Complementary...
, which while under BT ran on the VME O/S on Fujitsu
Fujitsu
is a Japanese multinational information technology equipment and services company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is the world's third-largest IT services provider measured by revenues....
hardware. The database software
Database Software
Database Software was a software publisher based in Cheshire, England. Software published by the company includes the Red Arrows game for the ZX Spectrum and the office suite Mini Office II, as well as games and educational software for children....
is IDMSX. The Capgemini platform may be different.
EDIFACT data format
CHIEF accepts declaration data from traders using proprietary EDIFACTEDIFACT
United Nations/Electronic Data Interchange For Administration, Commerce and Transport is the international EDI standard developed under the United Nations...
messages based on the well-known United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
D04A CUSDEC message. It replies using the D04A CUSRES, the CONTRL and using HMRC's twists on the UN's CONTRL and CUSRES messages, the UKCTRL and the UKCRES.
Inventory management data are exchanged with the CSPs using entirely proprietary messages, UKCINV messages.
Access
Being a vital government system that controls billions of pounds worth of revenue, access to CHIEF is tightly controlled. There are four major routes into CHIEF:CSP
Service providers are companies that have a special relationship with CHIEF and who run inventory management systems at ports. Movement of good through these ports is managed by the CSPs, who provide access to CHIEF for the traders and who liaise with CHIEF regarding the physical movements of the goods. Such CSPs are:MCP - Maritime Cargo Processing (present at, among other ports, Felixstowe
Felixstowe
Felixstowe is a seaside town on the North Sea coast of Suffolk, England. The town gives its name to the nearby Port of Felixstowe, which is the largest container port in the United Kingdom and is owned by Hutchinson Ports UK...
)
CNS - Community Network Services (present at, among other ports, Harwich
Harwich
Harwich is a town in Essex, England and one of the Haven ports, located on the coast with the North Sea to the east. It is in the Tendring district. Nearby places include Felixstowe to the northeast, Ipswich to the northwest, Colchester to the southwest and Clacton-on-Sea to the south...
)
CCSUK - Cargo Community System (for airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
movements)
DHB - Dover Harbour Board
DHL - the major integrated forwarder
These CSPs have dedicated connections to CHIEF.
Traders' declarations are usually submitted using the EDIFACT format defined by HMRC, sent to the CSP who will usually check its data against their inventory before forwarding the data to CHIEF. Responses from CHIEF are sent back to the trader, either as part of the transaction
Financial transaction
A financial transaction is an event or condition under the contract between a buyer and a seller to exchange an asset for payment. It involves a change in the status of the finances of two or more businesses or individuals.-History:...
in which the upload occurred or as an unsolicited message.
Government Gateway
For certain types of customs declarations, traders may access CHIEF without going through a CSP. This is achieved over the InternetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
using email
Email
Electronic mail, commonly known as email or e-mail, is a method of exchanging digital messages from an author to one or more recipients. Modern email operates across the Internet or other computer networks. Some early email systems required that the author and the recipient both be online at the...
, an XML web service or a website
Website
A website, also written as Web site, web site, or simply site, is a collection of related web pages containing images, videos or other digital assets. A website is hosted on at least one web server, accessible via a network such as the Internet or a private local area network through an Internet...
. The endpoint for the trade is a front door to all UK government services, the Government Gateway, who then use the GSI (Government Secure Intranet
Government Secure Intranet
Government Secure intranet is a UK government wide area network, whose main purpose is to enable connected organisations to communicate electronically and securely at low protective marking levels.- Use of GSi :...
) to reach CHIEF (and indeed any other government computer systems).
HCI
The Human-Computer Interface is a telnetTELNET
Telnet is a network protocol used on the Internet or local area networks to provide a bidirectional interactive text-oriented communications facility using a virtual terminal connection...
-like application that allows green-screen access into CHIEF. Declarations may be completed by typing data directly into CHIEF. The CSPs provide the physical means to use this method, usually both the terminal software and the transport mechanism.
Customs access
Customs officerCustoms officer
A customs officer is a law enforcement agent who enforces customs laws, on behalf of a government.-Hong Kong:4 931 posts, of which nine are directorate officers, 3 804 are members of the Customs and Excise Department, 504 are Trade Controls Officers and 614 are staff of the General and Common...
s, who have ultimate control of customs activities, need a means to perform their business operations
Business operations
Business operations are those ongoing recurring activities involved in the running of a business for the purpose of producing value for the stakeholders...
. They access CHIEF using terminals.
Links to the EU - ECS
The EU-wide export control system is an arrangement for sharing movement and security and safety data among member states. CHIEF using the ECN+ software to link to the central ECS domain in BrusselsBrussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
.
Since 1 July 2009, CHIEF sends movement data to ECS but only when box 29, the office of exit, has been completed by the trader.
CHIEF has had the capacity receive data from other member states for when a UK customs office acts as the office of exit for some time.
Although the specification for the EDIFACT input for CHIEF for import declarations allows for CHIEF to be used for lodging pre-arrival declarations, this was never implemented and on 1 November 2010 an entirely separate Import Control System was launched.