Linking an import declaration to an inventory record

Customs Management menu options

If your system has been configured for a CCS-UK connection, you will see two customs processes called Inventory records CCS-UK (UK) and GENRAL messages (UK) within your United Kingdom menu.

Inventory records CCS-UK (UK) - This is where you will see the inventory records that are assigned to your CCS UK badge. The records are sent from the Shed to the agent. In this process, you are referred to as the agent.

GENRAL messages (UK) - This is where CCS UK will communicate system issues with the agent. These can be individual issues that only affect a specific agent or system wide. It is possible to create email notifications to alert users when any messages are received.

CCS UK Inventory record

Inventory records are sent to your Customs Management system from the Shed and are not created within Customs Management. The standard menu options of New and New from template are not to be used within this process.

Once the Shed has allocated an inventory record to the agent they will appear in the inventory records list. The inventory record will contain the following data:

NOTE: The MUCR is constructed as below:

ACP code + SHED code + AWB

For example: If LHR airport ACP code is H, Shed code is VAX and AWB is 80210005442, this would have a MUCR of HVAX80210005442.

Inventory record status

The status of the inventory record is also displayed within the record. When the inventory record is at a registered status within Customs Management, the status will appear blank as the example below.

The record will have various statuses throughout the process, with the final processed status being customs cleared (CC).

As with an import declaration, any customs messages that are received/sent/processed that relate to the inventory record will appear in the Customs information tab.

There is also a full history audit available on the History tab.

Creating a CCS UK import declaration

When sending a CCS UK import declaration, the following data elements are required to be completed as detailed below. We recommend using the CCS UK templates supplied to create the initial declaration as this will ensure that these required data elements are completed.

Messaging route - This should be CCS.

MUCR - This provides the link between your import declaration and the inventory record.

Use the assistant link to select the corresponding record. When clicking on Link an inventory record CCS UK (UK) in the assistant, a pop-up window will appear showing a list of all your unattached inventory records that are available for assigning to an import declaration. Select the required record and the MUCR will then be populated in the declaration once the pop-up window closes.

Goods location - This MUST correspond with the location of the inventory record.

Transport - This should be 4 Air transport.

Means type arrival / Means arrival ID - Arrival = 40 or 41 and the corresponding ID needs to be entered.

All remaining required data will be dependent on the commodities being processed and needs to be consistent with the CDS requirements for an import declaration. Once the import declaration is complete, you can send it to CDS to be processed as necessary.

Customs messages and statuses

Customs message flow

The happy path of a CCS UK inventory linked import declaration consists of the below messages/actions. Messages are received by both the import declaration and inventory record.

1. Shed inventory: Creates an inventory record and reaches status 'Declarable'.
2. Shed inventory: Sends CUSCAR(FRI).
3. Agent inventory: Receives inventory record via CUSCAR(FRI). *
4. Agent declaration: Links declaration and inventory record via MUCR.
5. Agent declaration: Submits the declaration and receives DMSRCV and DMSTAX. Status of declaration reaches 'Registered not arrived'.
6. Agent inventory: Receives CIMFSN with status CA. Status of inventory record is 'Accepted'.
7. Shed inventory: Sends CUSCAR(FRC) with changed flight date and equal number of packages expected/received.
8. Agent inventory: Receives incoming CUSCAR(FRC). Inventory data of agent is changed accordingly.
9. Agent inventory: Receives various CIMFSN messages until customs status code CC is received. Status of inventory record reaches 'Complete'.
10. Agent declaration: Receives various DMS messages. Status of declaration reaches 'Complete'.
11. Shed inventory: Receives various CIMFSN messages until customs status code CC is received. Status of inventory record reaches 'Complete'. 

* This is the point where your inventory record will appear in Customs Management. You will then create your import declaration and link this to your inventory record.

Inventory record statuses

There are various statuses that can be applied to an inventory record. If you have issues with an inventory record, the codes below may be able to assist in identifying the problem and who best to contact.

Cancellation of inventory record

This is only possible when in Registered status. The agent would submit a CUSCAR(FRX) message via the Customs Management assistant. If accepted, customs will send a CUSCAR(FRX) message back.

Correction of inventory record

This is possible when in registered or accepted status. The agent would submit a CUSCAR(FRC) message via the Customs Management assistant. If accepted, customs will send a CUSCAR(FRC) message back.

Issues with CDS / CCS UK

Any issues that are outside of Customs Management will need to be raised with either CCS UK or CDS.