Businesses using the Trader Support Service (TSS) for goods movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland should prepare for two important dates this autumn.
The new TSS platform launches for all users on 20 October 2026, while access to the outgoing service remains available up to and including 30 November 2026. Businesses should review their records, save the information they need and resolve outstanding declarations before access ends.
What changes on 20 October?
Goods movements with an arrival date on or after 20 October 2026 must use the new platform. The outgoing service cannot be used for these movements.
Existing TSS users will be migrated without needing to register again. However, they still need to follow the invitation instructions, create a new password and check that their business details, users and permissions are correct.
How long will historical records remain available?
In a recent BIFA TV update, HMRC confirmed that historical movement information will remain accessible through the outgoing service until 30 November 2026. Joining the pilot or moving to the new platform does not remove access to those records during this period.
Users can continue accessing and completing eligible movements started before migration through the outgoing service. According to the BIFA update, this includes movements in draft or awaiting trader input, supplementary declarations, post-movement Internal Market Movement Information (IMMI) and other post-movement compliance activity.
The latest TSS bulletin advises businesses to download the information they need and ensure outstanding supplementary declarations reach Closed status before access ends. Submission alone does not necessarily mean a declaration is complete, and existing submission deadlines still apply.
Will everything transfer to the new platform?
According to HMRC’s BIFA TV update, trader profiles and agent authorisation details will carry over to the new service.
However, information relating only to the outgoing platform, such as closed transactions and cases, is not planned to migrate. Businesses should therefore review the information held in the current system and identify any records they will need for future reference.
Can declaration data be accessed elsewhere?
HMRC also provides a free customs data reporting service based on Customs Declaration Service (CDS) records.
Users can request up to 31 consecutive days of data per report, starting from a date within the previous four years. Access requires a CDS subscription, an EORI number and the Government Gateway account linked to that EORI.
Data from the most recent two days is unavailable, and declaration information only appears once HMRC has processed it. These reports provide another way to review declaration data, but businesses should still save any additional TSS records they need before the outgoing platform closes.
What should businesses do now?
Check access to the new platform, review business details and permissions, and make sure the staff handling declarations understand the change.
Alongside this, review historical records in the outgoing service, download the information needed for future reference and address outstanding post-movement tasks. Preparing now will give businesses time to resolve account or declaration queries before the transition deadlines.
References
- BIFA TV: The Next Phase of the TSS: Accessing Historical TSS Data
- HMRC: Trader Support Service users urged to prepare for new platform
- TSS Bulletin 229 — 8 October 2026
- HMRC: Get customs data for import and export declarations
Information correct as of 12 October 2026. This article provides general information; businesses should check the latest HMRC and TSS guidance for their circumstances.