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 and click on it. The list of related errors will then be shown in the grid underneath.
  
• Select the error you wish to investigate and click Open. 
• This will then display the full error details. Make a note of the data element path shown.

Viewing the MetaData

• Select the DMSDEC message that the error relates to. This will be the DMSDEC message that was sent to CDS just prior to the error being received. 
  
• Highlight the correct DMSDEC 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. (In this example:)  
• Expand the links in sequence (i.e. Declaration > AuthorisationHolder > CategoryCode).
• 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 Category code of EXRR is incorrect.
  • There may be something incorrect at a higher level.
  • A combination of different values entered is not allowed.
  • Another data element of the document is causing CDS to error other elements.

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.