Guidance

Data Element 2/3 Documents and Other Reference Codes (National) of the Customs Declaration Service (CDS)

Find a list of codes for the relevant document codes, document status codes and details to be declared (for example, licences and certificates) in Data Element 2/3 (Appendix 5A).

Known error workarounds may apply to this area of the instructions.

This appendix provides details of the relevant document codes, document status codes and details to be declared (for example, licences and certificates) in Data Element (DE) 2/3 of the customs declaration.

This includes document codes for all types of authorisations required in order to declare the goods to the customs procedure concerned (for example, 1207 to be declared when the Agents hold specific authority to use an importer’s deferment account).

The National codes and details to be declared are specified below.

The Union codes and details to be declared are specified in Table 1, see Appendix 5A: DE 2/3: Documents and Other Reference Code (Union).

Where both Union and National document codes are being declared, enter any Union codes first.

Where a document code permits the use of status codes UA, UE, UP, US, XX or XW, and where the document normally requires a reference number, and where the document is not held (waiver is claimed) a statement supporting the use of those status codes must be provided. The statement must be provided in both the Second Component (Document Identifier) and in the fourth component: (Document Reason) (an..35) of DE 2/3.

See Appendix 5B: DE 2/3 document status codes for status code definitions.

Unless specifically instructed otherwise in column 4 of the individual document code, a document identifier reference number is not required.

Use of status code XX or XW is a legal declaration that the goods are exempted from the documentary controls.

Sufficient evidence must be held in records to demonstrate eligibility for the waiver or exemption which must be produced on demand.

Appendix 5A: DE 2/3: National Document Codes

This file is in an OpenDocument format

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email different.format@hmrc.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.
Published 1 August 2018
Last updated 2730 AprilMay 2023 + show all updates
  1. Document codes 9040 and 9041 added to support delivery of the Australia and New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. Import quota claims will need to be supported by export quota licences issued by the appropriate authorities in Australia or New Zealand.

  2. Document codes 1ATR, 1AOR and 1AVR have been added to Appendix 5A National Document Codes. The corresponding codes for DE 3/39 are not yet operational and will not be published until they are functional on the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) (delivery date not currently known). In the meantime the Advanced Tariff/Origin/Valuation Ruling reference just needs to be declared against the appropriate code in DE 2/3.

  3. Document code 9038 has been added to the list of national document codes.

  4. Document code 9022 has been updated to show that it can be used for exports as well as imports.

  5. Completion requirements for 955D and 9578 have been updated to reflect the requirements shown in columns F and G. We are aware that some document codes have both the Document ID and Document Reason shown as being mandatory. We will aim to correct this at some point in the future but for now, both will have to be completed. Code 9010 has also been amended to reflect the newly named Department for Business and Trade, formerly known as the Department of International Trade.

  6. Document code 9011 has been updated to remove the reference date and facilitate use of the document code for licences issued under separate measures.

  7. New columns have been added for Document ID and Document Reason to show if completion is mandatory, conditional or not applicable. A small number of document codes will incorrectly mandate Document ID and Document Reason are always both declared. This will be corrected on a future CDS release but must be complied with in the meantime.

  8. National document codes Y067, Y071, Y080, Y229, Y250, Y251, Y253, Y254, Y255, Y256, Y257, Y258, Y259 and Y501 have been added to the list of permitted document codes. These are not in the correct format for national additional codes, so will only be used temporarily. It is planned to replace these with codes in the correct format later in 2023. It is planned to have a period of dual running to facilitate the migration from the temporary codes to the final codes.

  9. Completion instructions for 955D and 9578 have updated to reflect that a declaration will not be rejected if the document reason is completed. This does not change the requirement to declare a document ID when using either of these document codes.

  10. Document code 110C has been added to the list of national document codes.

  11. Document code 9023 has been updated to show that it is not currently in use. We are currently building functionality to enable document code 9023 to be used as an electronic licence. Once this functionality is available the new document code will be activated. In the meantime, continue to use document code 9100 instead.

  12. Codes 9027 and 9031 have been added. A correction has also been made for 9019.

  13. The description of code 9035 has been amended.

  14. The definition of code 9035 has been amended in Appendix 5A: DE 2/3: National Document Codes.

  15. This guidance has been updated to reflect amended instructions at codes 9005, 9100, 9101, 9102, and 9115.

  16. The ‘Details to be entered on the Declaration’ for code 9022 have been amended.

  17. Document code 9018 has been added to Appendix 5A for claiming exemption from additional duties which were imposed on goods exported from Russia and, or Belarus after 20 July 2022. Declarants using this document code must have evidence to prove that the goods had been exported from Russia and, or Belarus before 20 July 2022.

  18. Document code 9UKR has been removed, as it is no longer in use.

  19. Document codes 9019, 9020, 9023, 9026, 9028, 9029, 9030 & 9032 have been added to the list of National Document Codes.

  20. Document codes 9022, 9033, 9034, 9035 and 9036 have been added to Appendix 5A: DE 2/3: National Document Codes.

  21. Document Code 9022 has been added.

  22. We have updated 9WKS in 'Appendix 5A: DE 2/3: National Document Codes' 9WKS to include an example of using valuation method 4 without SIV or SPV. 1BRD has also been added.

  23. National document codes 9014, 9017, 9024, 9025 and Y229 have been added to Appendix 5A.

  24. Document codes 9015 and 9016 have been added to the list of National Document Codes. Document status codes for 9011 have been amended to enable this document to be declared as an electronic licence.

  25. The appendix has been updated with a new national document code Y999.

  26. The appendix has been updated with a new national document code 9UKR, introduced to cover alternative proof of origin for goods from Ukraine.

  27. National document codes 9011, 9012 and 9013 have been added to cover UK sanctions against Russia.

  28. New codes 9009 and 9010 have been added to facilitate the operation of sanctions imposed against Russia and Belarus.

  29. Document code 9008 has been added to Appendix 5A: DE 2/3: National Document Codes for use from 11:59pm on 24 March 2022. The document code can be used to claim an exemption from additional duties imposed on imports from Russia and Belarus which were shipped before 11:59pm on 24 March 2022.

  30. The list has been updated at document codes 9006 and 9007.

  31. A new version of the appendix has been uploaded, with updated descriptions at 9005, 9100, 9101, 9102, 9104, 9105, 9106 and new 999L code added.

  32. This page has been updated to change code 180C to 108C.

  33. This page has been updated regarding document codes permitting the use of status codes UA, UE, UP, US. Additionally, ‘Details to be entered’ advice has been updated for 955D and 9578.

  34. This page has been updated to reflect changes to National Document Codes, specifically 180C and 9CPD.

  35. First published.