CDS – Customs Declaration System

Simplify your customs declaration management.

What’s new in CDS 2024, service pack 1?


EAD data management

CDS 2024, service pack 1, available from late February 2025, adds lookup functionalities
for the following electronic advance data (EAD) for compliance purposes:

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HS Codes
Quickly and accurately find the Harmonized System codes for your goods.
(Perform lookups or code checks, depending on the process and the data captured from the customs declaration form.)
  • Avoid classification errors that lead to delays or additional costs;
  • Ensure compliance with international regulations;
  • Save time with automated processes.

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Prohibitions and restrictions
Instantly identify goods that are restricted or prohibited based on their type or destination.
  • Prevent delays caused by shipping non-compliant goods;
  • Enhance the security and reliability of shipments;
  • Easily adhere to local and international laws.

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Denied Parties
Check if the senders and/or recipients of your shipments are listed on restricted or denied parties lists.
  • Mitigate legal risks associated with unauthorized transactions;
  • Build trust with partners and clients through transparent processes.

These new features are available as options, to be activated in the system, and are empowered by two well-known providers: Hurricane and Zonos.

Simple activation

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Step 1:

Choose the provider that you wish to activate;

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Step 2:

Contact us to update your CDS licence agreement and obtain an API security token;

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Step 3:

Start using the new features from the CDS user screens, APIs, CDS kiosk or EAD Customs Declaration app.

The new features will help Posts to achieve EAD compliance by facilitating customs declaration submissions and inbound compliance checks,
and by identifying the correct quality standards for e-commerce delivery processes.

The Postal Technology Centre continues to work with providers to integrate a landed costs calculator API. 

The next step on the CDS roadmap is a postal delivered duty paid solution.

What CDS can do for you?

Transform your customs processes with an interoperable system that is aligned to international standards.

CDS is designed to streamline and automate international customs declarations.

By integrating standardized electronic data interchange (EDI) messages (ITMATT, ITMREF, REFRSP, CUSITM and CUSRSP), CDS facilitates communication between postal operators and customs authorities, reducing delays and optimizing mail flows.

Available as a cloud-based or local solution, CDS can adapt to your specific operational needs.


Benefits for postal operators and customs authorities

CDS is a comprehensive and efficient solution for managing customs declarations.

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Faster customs clearance

reduce processing times with reliable electronic data;

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Optimized mail flows

minimize interruptions and improve customer satisfaction;

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Enhanced security

prevent risks associated with prohibited goods or non-compliant recipients;

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E-commerce-ready

optimize e-commerce with fast and compliant processes and enhanced communication between designated operators and customs authorities.

 Key features

CDS is an indispensable tool for postal operators and customs authorities.

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Exchange electronic customs declaration data
seamless and compliant exchange of standardized customs data (ITMATT, ITMREF, REFRSP, CUSITM and CUSRSP) using an out-of-the-box IT system;

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Compliance with EAD requirements
simplify and automate customs processing with exclusive functionalities;

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Dedicated customs module
customs authorities can use the dedicated customs module, which is independent of the postal module, to configure rules for selectivity/targeting, tax calculation and more.
Authorities using their own applications can interface with CDS via APIs or exchange EDI CUSITM and CUSRSP messages;

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Exchange of referral notifications for pre-loading advance cargo information (PLACI) risk assessment
exchange of referral notifications and responses from PLACI risk analyses (assessment complete, request for screening, do not load, etc.);

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Effortless customs declarations for postal customers
customers can submit customs declarations directly in CDS through:
  • the EAD Customs Declaration app, available in the Apple App Store for iOS devices and Google Play Store for Android devices;
  • the CDS kiosk, an embeddable web page for postal websites.

CDS deployment options: tailored to your needs

CDS offers three flexible installation options to suit the specific requirements of postal operators and customs authorities. Each option is designed to support your operations, whether you prioritize control, convenience or flexibility.
Contact us to find the best option for your organization.

CDS - Local installation

Deploy CDS locally on your organization’s infrastructure. This option provides full control over your system, ensuring maximum flexibility and customization.

verified Complete autonomy:
manage updates, configurations and security in-house;

verified Customizable integration:
tailor CDS to align perfectly with your internal systems.

CDS Cloud

A dedicated cloud solution hosted by the UPU, providing each user with a private system. This guarantees optimal access, performance and control over your data while leveraging the scalability of cloud infrastructure.

verified Automatic updates and protection: 
updates and security managed by the UPU;

verified Quick deployment:
no need for local IT infrastructure – start using CDS immediately; 

verifiedExclusive resources:
a unique system for each user, avoiding competition for resources.

CDS.POST (shared UPU hosting solution)

CDS.POST adheres to stringent .POST standards and is hosted by the UPU in a highly reliable, secure and cost-effective shared environment.

verified Automatic updates and protection:
updates and security managed by the UPU;

verified Quick deployment:
no need for local IT infrastructure – start using CDS immediately;

verified Cost-effective
a secure and compliant environment based on a cost-effective shared hosting model.



Mobile application (free of charges)

EAD Customs Declarations app

Electronic Advance Data Customs Declarations mobile application

The easiest way to prepare your customs declaration is via the EAD Customs Declarations app, developed with the support of the QSF Common Fund and available free of charge.

The app transmits captured EAD for mail items to postal operators and customs authorities. This enables customs authorities to use electronic information, instead of CN 22 and CN 23 paper forms, for expedited clearance, in compliance with national laws.


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