How can I interpret a CDS error?

HMRC Guidance

Information on individual CDS error codes can be found via this HMRC website.

HMRC provide a document on how to understand CDS error messages (DMSREJ). The document is called Understanding DMSREJ - A How To Guide, which is available in the Customs Declaration section of their technical documentation, available via this link.

This document advises on how to read the various sections of an error message, shown in XML format. To view the error message in XML format, follow the instructions to Download Customs Messages.

Customs Management Interface

To view error information via the Customs Management interface, see the example steps below.

Identify the data element path

Firstly, identify the data element path to search for further information. To do this:

• Select the Customs information tab and go to the Customs messages section.
• Locate the latest message with the type of DMSREJ-CDS and click on it.
• The list of related errors will then the shown in the grid below.

• Double click on the error you wish to investigate. This will then display the full error details.
• Make a note of the data element path shown.

Viewing the MetaData

• Select the DMSDEC-CDS message that the error relates to. This will be the message that was sent to CDS prior to the error being received. In this example, the error was received on DMSREJ-CDS dated 01/02/2022 @9:24, therefore the DMSDEC-CDS message to open is the record before, dated 01/02/2022 @9:24.
  
• Highlight the correct DMSDEC-CDS message, and click Open.
• Select the Message content tab and expand the MetaData heading.
  
• Expand the links to follow the data element path noted in the error message.
  
• Expand the links in sequence i.e. Declaration > GoodsShipment > GovernmentAgencyGoodsItem > AdditionalDocument > TypeCode.
  
  
  This gives an indication of which declaration data has caused the error. For example, it may be that:
  • The error relates to this exact element of data e.g. the Type code of 110 is incorrect.
  • There may be something incorrect at a higher level e.g. the additional document is incorrect.
  • A combination of different values entered is not allowed.
  • Another data element of the document is causing CDS to error all elements of the additional document.

If you require further assistance with errors received from CDS, you can contact the CDS Helpdesk.  See How to contact Customs Helpdesks.

If HMRC request the related DMSDEC and DMSREJ messages are sent to them, see How to download Customs messages to send to HMRC.