Change description : 2025-09-03 14:25:00: The section ‘Procedure codes’ has been updated to include ‘additional procedure codes’ as you need to provide procedure codes and additional procedure codes for the customs procedures you intend to use. [Guidance and regulation]
your record keeping, audit trails and document security
If you have an Authorised Economic Operator authorisation for customs simplifications you do not need to give this information.
If you’re applying for imports, then you’ll also need to provide:
month-end processes (for example, final supplementary declarations and late declaration estimates)
details of your procedures if you’re applying to use aggregation, how you’ll make sure the aggregated rules are complied with, and any management controls you undertake
duty management system procedures and how your commercial system communicates with the duty management system — if this applies
If you’re applying for exports, then you’ll also need to provide information on your export procedures.
List of signatories
You must provide a list of your employees who are authorised to contact us to amend your application or authorisation. This list must be signed by a director.
Personnel chart
You must provide a personnel chart listing each department, employees and their responsibilities.
Commodity codes
You must provide a description of the goods, either the relevant 8 digit or 4 digit commodity codes for the goods. The description of the goods must be the normal trade description and detailed enough for immediate, precise identification and classification.
For example, Import 090112 00 or Import 0901 Coffee — not roasted — decaffeinated.
The lists should be provided as spreadsheets.
Procedure codes
Youmustand provideadditional theprocedure codes
For forthe customs procedures you intend to use.use you must provide the:
duty deferment account — where this will be used for payment for imports, including if you have permission to use your client’s account
If you do not have any clients yet and we approve your application, you’ll need to provide us with their details before you use your simplified procedure authorisation on their behalf.
If you’ll be acting as an indirect representative, you’ll not be able to use your own simplified procedure authorisation when making declarations to the following special procedures held by your clients:
inward processing
outward processing
authorised use (end-use)
Temporary Admission
private customs warehouse (type U)
Centralised clearance
If you’re applying for centralised clearance in Northern Ireland, you must provide a list of the other companies who will be involved in the centralised clearance authorisation.
You cannot apply for centralised clearance for imports into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales).
UK Continental Shelf
If you’re applying for authorisation to use entry in the declarant’s records to export goods to the UK Continental Shelf, you’ll need to show how your goods qualify.
How to apply
Complete the C&E48 form to apply for authorisation to use simplified procedures for imports and exports.
Send your completed form to the address on the form — unless you’re a large business.
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Send the form to your Customer Compliance Manager (CCM) and your regional Large Business ‘contact us’ mailbox.
After you’ve applied
You’ll receive a letter telling you if we’ve approved your application or not. If you do not get approval, the letter explains the reasons why and tells you about the review and appeals procedure.
If we approve your application, you’ll get a letter that:
confirms your authorisation numbers
sets out the authorisation conditions
If your information changes after you’ve applied
If any of your contact details change (for example, your address or telephone number), you must let us know by emailing customsauthorisations@hmrc.gov.uk.
Large businesses must send the email to the Customer Compliance Manager and regional Large Business ‘contact us’ mailbox.
How to cancel or amend your authorisation
You can cancel or amend your authorisation by emailing customsauthorisations@hmrc.gov.uk. You should also tell us if there has been a change to your business which may affect your authorisation such as:
changing your trading name or your trading address
if the owner of the business changes
Large businesses must send the email to the Customer Compliance Manager and regional Large Business ‘contact us’ mailbox.
Information about the letter we’ll send you after considering your application has been added.
29 April 2024
The C&E48 form has been updated.
23 April 2024
Form C&E48 has been replaced with an updated version.
8 December 2023
We have updated the section 'Before you apply' with guidance on written procedures including requirements applicants need to meet when applying.
6 June 2023
The C&E48 form has been updated to align with the online guidance and now includes a disclaimer in regard to email communications.
24 August 2022
The C&E48 form has been updated to align with the online guidance about the cessation of Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight for imports authorisations.