Private beta – what you need to know

Contents

About the private beta

This is a test of a new service.

The look and feel of the service will change to follow the design of other government online services.

The aim is to make the service clearer and easier to use, while keeping the underlying customs process the same.

Existing users and roles will carry over into the new service, and you will be able to download your historic records from the old service.

Your legal responsibilities, movement requirements and regulatory obligations will remain unchanged.

The new service will support all declarations and movements from:

  • Great Britain to Northern Ireland
  • from Northern Ireland to Great Britain
  • from the rest of the world (excluding EU) to Northern Ireland

Joining the private beta

We'll contact you if you're selected. We choose businesses that can test real trade journeys, based on their supply chain, readiness, movement types, and whether their partners can join too.

It's up to you whether you join the private beta. Taking part helps us shape the service, to make it better for all traders.

If you're selected but it's not a good time, you can join a later group if there's space. Tell us if you need to delay.

You can also change your mind about joining the private beta. You can stay on the old service. You can also switch back if needed, up until the new service goes live.

Private beta participants will:

  • get early access to the new platform
  • get dedicated onboarding and support
  • help test the service in a real-world environment
  • give feedback to improve the final service
  • help identify any issues ahead of public launch

Sign up to take part (opens in a new tab).

Please make sure your contact details in the current service are up to date.

Key dates

9 July 2026 to 20 October 2026: private beta. Both the current and new services will be available.

20 October 2026: the new service goes live. All new movements must be created using the new service from this date.

30 November 2026: access to the current service to view historic movements and date ends.

Before you use the service

Webinars, live training, and a practice environment are provided, so you can see what the new service is like and decide whether you want to take part in the private beta.

For API users, the practice environment will also support integration testing.

The first time you log in, you'll be asked to reset your password. Your username will stay the same.

Using both services

You can use both services at the same time. Your old and draft declarations will stay on the old service, and you can finish them there while the old service is available.

However, you cannot switch services mid-movement. You will have to either cancel the declaration or complete the movement in the same service where you started it.

If you're making a declaration in the new service, all parties involved will need to be using the new service.

Problems with the service

If there is a problem with the new service, you can go back to using the current service.

As part of onboarding we'll tell you how to get help if something goes wrong while you are making a declaration, including how to contact HMRC.

We'll also explain how to provide feedback about issues with the service. We regularly review feedback to understand how we can make the service better for everyone.

We cannot compensate you for any delays or disruption caused by your participation in the private beta.

Getting help and updates

The digital assistant is available 24 hours a day. If it cannot help you, it will put you through to an agent if one is available, or open a support case for you.

Or you can call the Trader Support Service contact centre: 8am–5:30pm, Monday to Sunday.

We'll keep you updated by email about any changes and improvements to the service during the private beta. We'll let you know what's changed and if there's any action for you to take. We're also sharing updates with relevant UK trade associations and representative bodies to make sure businesses are kept up to date.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact tss-support@netcompany.com.

When the service goes live

The service will go live on 20 October 2026.

From this date:

  • all new movements must be created on the new platform
  • new movements will no longer be able to be created on the current platform
  • movements created on the current service before the 20 October may need to be completed on that service, in line with the current legal requirements

Specific guidance for users with pre-lodged movements will be provided ahead of transition, including any implications for movements that remain active after public launch

All user profiles will be migrated to the new platform. On first login, users must reset their password and ensure their business information, including contact details, is up to date.

You will have access to the legacy service to view historic movement data and records until 30 November 2026. After this date, you can use the free-to-use service Get customs data for import and export declarations - GOV.UK.

Traders

Follow the instructions in your onboarding pack. We may need to ask you some questions about your supply chain partners, so we can make sure that everyone involved in your movements is kept up to date.

Check if your intermediary or haulier is ready to take part. If not, you may not be able to use the new service during private beta.

You'll still be able to use the current service to access old, draft and in-progress declarations and complete any outstanding actions.

Intermediaries and hauliers

We'll tell you directly if your clients have joined the private beta. Your clients may also tell you.

Your clients may be using both systems at the same time, or they may be joining the private beta at different times. There's more information the onboarding pack about how to manage this.

Agent authorisations and reference numbers will carry across from the old to the new system. However, the supporting authorisation documents themselves will not be available during the private beat, as these are stored separately from the profile data.

API users

The API specs will not change.

 A dedicated API onboarding support team, documentation and a practice environment for testing is available.

If you connect to the service through an API, you will need to prepare your systems for the transition to the new platform. This will include updating your integration to use OAuth 2.0 authentication, generating new credentials and switching to the new API endpoint.

You'll also have access to a test environment. When using the test environment:

  • do not include any personal information or commercially sensitive data
  • use genuine, valid authorisations when needed so that submissions successfully pass validation in the CDS Trader Dress Rehearsal environment

All movements created in the test environment are deleted every week.

Find out more: Onboarding to to the next phase of the Trader Support Service (API users)

If you have any problems with API onboarding, contact the API support team at tss-api-support@netcompany.com. They're available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, except for English bank holidays. Please note, the support team cannot help with general queries about goods movements.

Bruno API specification

The Bruno API collections are designed to be used with Bruno.

However, the accompanying Bruno YAML/OpenAPI specification can also be imported into Postman if you prefer to use Postman for testing.

Authentication method

Authentication has changed from Basic Authentication (username and password) to OAuth 2.0.

You should now authenticate using:

  • Client ID
  • Client Secret

Ensure your application has been updated to use OAuth 2.0 before attempting to connect.

Groupage operators

If you are handling mixed loads, we'll contact you directly to discuss your supply chain and suggest suitable movements for testing.

You may need to work across two systems. We will provide an onboarding pack to support movements through the new system.