Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Certified Customs Clearance Agent Training

Gain the knowledge to understand the fundamentals of completing import and export declarations using the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) platform.

Business professional in white shirt gesturing with pen against beige circular background

About Customs Clearance Certification

Digitising Import and Export Declarations

After five years of preparation, the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) has replaced the Customs Handling Imports and Export Freight (CHIEF) platform – replacing a paper-based system with a digital platform.

Customs Agents will need to learn the CDS Data Elements and completion rules, which completely replace the now obsolete Single Administrative Document (SAD) form or C88, the Electronic Accompanying Document (EAD), and all the old reports such as the E2 or the S8.

The Customs Clearance – Accredited Agent certification has been created by APMG International and ChamberCustoms®. ChamberCustoms is wholly owned by the British Chambers of Commerce and offers customs clearance, training, and consultancy to help keep UK businesses compliant and efficient when trading internationally.

Their instructors are hands-on and have been involved in the CDS testing and development since its beginning, working closely with HMRC, software developers, and CSPs.

They are proud to be known as CDS trailblazers, amongst the first agents in the UK to submit live import and export declarations on CDS.

Training is available directly from ChamberCustoms and the exam (arranged by ChamberCustoms) can also be taken online at a date and time convenient to the candidate, using a secure, online proctoring service via APMG.

To book an exam please visit the ChamberCustoms website, where the training and exam are available to purchase as a bundle.

Two men and a woman in professional attire gathered around a table with a laptop, smiling and discussing a business plan.

Who is the Customs Clearance – Accredited Agent Certification for?

Our Customs Clearance – Accredited Agent Certification is for professionals working in or supporting international trade who want to ensure compliance with the UK’s new CDS system, including:

  • Customs agents transitioning from CHIEF to CDS.
  • Import/export professionals who need to complete declarations accurately under the new system.
  • Trade compliance officers and consultants assisting businesses in global trade.

Benefits of Customs Clearance Certification

For Individuals

  • Understand and apply the new CDS Data Elements and completion rules.
  • Replace outdated processes (CHIEF/SAD/C88) with fully digital, CDS-compliant methods.
  • Learn directly from experienced ChamberCustoms instructors who have been part of CDS development.
  • Gain recognized certification to enhance your credibility as a trained and compliant customs professional.

For Organizations

  • Ensure your staff are trained and certified in the UK’s new CDS platform.
  • Reduce errors and improve compliance in import/export declarations.
  • Work with ChamberCustoms, recognized CDS trailblazers, to embed best practice into your processes.
  • Support international trade operations with efficient, compliant customs clearance procedures.

Success in 1 2 3

Over 2.6 million people in 192 countries have an APMG certification. Our certifications are used by 80% of the FTSE 100 and a third of the Fortune 500 and S&P 500, and are proven to deliver better outcomes.

Select your certification

APMG certifications can advance your career, build your confidence and help you transition into a new field. Browse our careers section for inspiration or visit our certification pages for details of what you’ll learn and how you will benefit from certification.

Browse our certifications

Choose your learning style

APMG is not a training provider. Please contact accredited training organization's listed on our website for prices and dates. Alternatively, you can self-study for an exam directly through APMG.

Browse training providers Book an exam

Pass the exam & receive a certificate

When you are ready to take your exam, book an online timeslot yourself with APMG, or your training organization may organize this for you. If you pass your exam APMG will issue you with a digital badge for you to share!

How to take an examClaim my badge

Customs Clearance Certification levels

Certified Customs Clearance Agent Training badge

Certified Customs Clearance Agent Training

Learn about completing import and export customs declarations in CDS

Read more Book an exam

FAQs

  • Provisional results: After completing the Foundation examination, candidates may receive provisional results either orally from the invigilator or on-screen at the end of an online exam.
  • Official results: Once processed, official results, including a PDF breakdown of marks by syllabus area, are available in the APMG Candidate Portal. Results are issued as the total number of marks achieved.
  • Processing time: Exam papers are usually marked immediately after the exam. APMG formally processes and confirms results via the Candidate Portal within 2 working days of receiving completed papers.
  • Outstanding payments: In exceptional cases, results may be withheld until full payment has been received.

Once you’ve been notified that you’ve passed your exam, you will have the option to create a digital badge in APMG's Candidate Portal.

Visit APMG's Candidate Portal, view your exam results and select 'Create Badge'.

This takes you to the Credly website where the digital badges are hosted. You will be guided through the Credly account creation process.

Once you have created an account with Credly, log into the account and accept your pending badge.

Candidates will be able to claim their digital badge and electronic certificate from the APMG Candidate Portal within two business days of their exam result being issued.

If you are sitting the examination through an Accredited Training Organization, the cost of the exam is generally included in the course fee. Please ensure you confirm with your training provider that the exam is included in these costs. 

If you have selected a self-study option, please note that APMG-International uses a global pricing model for all exams. The examination fees for candidates attending a public exam centre are determined by the location where the exams are administered.

To find out the costs in your region, please refer to our examination portal or contact the APMG-International Service Desk (servicedesk@apmg-international.com).

Most, if not all, of our certifications come with at least one Sample Exam to help participants prepare for their exam. Access to the Sample Exams can be located on our website.

Some certifications do not require training in order to take the exam however, for most certifications, training is advised. 

For some certifications individuals also have the option to self-study in preparation for the exam and, when they are ready, can even take the exam from the comfort of their home or office.

You can find details of our self-study exams, available to purchase, via our public exams portal.

Unfortunately, no. Only Accredited Training Organizations and their registered partners are authorized to use these logos. If you do not fall under these categories and would like to request permission to use the logo, please contact the APMG-International Service Desk (servicedesk@apmg-international.com).

However, successful candidates are able to share and display their digital badge publicly.

Please contact us via email addressed to customerservice@apmgroup.co.uk. Please review our policies before submitting your written feedback.

PMI Professional Development Units (PDUs) are either: Education or Giving Back to the Profession. You can earn PMI Education PDUs by attending non-PMI provider courses if they align with the PMI Talent Triangle® skill areas. Visit the PMI website for details on PDUs, how to record them and required documentation.

  • Most training providers include the exams with their courses. 
  • Self-study candidates can book and take the exam online from anywhere, with a proctor monitoring via webcam, microphone and desktop. 
  • After booking, you'll receive a registration email to schedule your session through the Candidate Portal, with exams available 24/7.
  • APMG also offers limited public exam sessions at designated regional offices.

Get in touch

If you have a query about this certification or want to know more about training send us a message via this contact form. We would love to hear from you!