Customs Declarations UK vs Descartes Customs and Regulatory Compliance

Customs Declarations UK is a cloud platform for filing Great Britain import and export declarations directly with HMRC’s Customs Declaration Service. It supports GB CDS imports and exports, GB ENS, EU ICS2 entry summary declarations, and NCTS6 T1/T2 transit movements. Guided filing wizards adapt to shipment requirements, while real-time validation flags inconsistencies before submission. Its document-processing system uses OCR and AI to read invoices, packing lists, and transport documents, then drafts supported declarations for human review. API connections can link it with TMS, ERP, and freight software for document intake and drafting. The platform also integrates with CSPs MCP, CNS, and CCS-UK and includes GVMS management. The company offers onboarding, training, and assistance with complex customs scenarios. Pay-as-you-go has no monthly fee, although onboarding charges may apply; subscriptions require at least six months’ notice to cancel. Filing prices vary: EU ICS2 is £4 per declaration, GB CDS is £25, and NCTS6 departures are £15. NCTS6 filings require the customer’s own transit guarantee.

Descartes Customs and Regulatory Compliance is a suite for preparing customs filings and tracking regulatory filing status. Its solution areas include customs declarations, cargo security filings, product classification and duty determination, denied-party screening, government and industry programs, and foreign-trade-zone management. Declaration capabilities cover filings in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several European countries. The workflow includes system integration, real-time global customs status visibility, automated data validation, and manual or EDI data capture. Security filings submit advanced manifest data electronically across regions including the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, with multi-party data sharing, alerts, reporting, and status updates. The AI-assisted classification offering includes trade content on duties, tariffs, regulations, explanatory notes, trade agreements, rulings, and compliance checks from more than 175 countries. Access is through web and API, and e-Customs is described as SaaS without server or hosting fees or VPN requirements. Listed pricing includes a Base Platform starting at €200 a month, plus an €800 + VAT setup fee; subscription cost varies by modules, committed declaration volume, and concurrent users. Duty Management Modules are listed at €170 a month, with volume pricing potentially applying.