Customs Decision System (CDS)
European IT system for harmonised management of customs applications and decisions between operators and authorities.
The Customs Decision System (CDS) is a trans-European IT system established under the UCC to harmonise and dematerialise the process of applying for, issuing, and managing customs decisions (authorisations, approvals, simplifications) across the entire European Union.
Before CDS, each Member State managed customs decisions with its own systems and procedures, creating disparities in processing times and granting conditions. CDS introduces a single portal (Customs Trader Portal - CTP) where operators submit applications, track their processing, and receive decisions. The system ensures consultation between Member States when a decision has cross-border implications.
CDS covers a wide range of decisions: authorisations for simplified procedures, AEO approvals, authorisations for special procedures (warehousing, processing, temporary admission), end-use authorisations, and many others. Each decision type follows a defined workflow with verification and validation steps.
The system also integrates a monitoring and reassessment mechanism for existing decisions, enabling customs authorities to verify that granting conditions continue to be met and to suspend or revoke authorisations if necessary.