TRADER SUPPORT SERVICE PLATFORM CHANGING FROM OCTOBER 2026: WHAT BUSINESSES NEED TO KNOW
HMRC Update – 22 September 2026
HMRC has announced an important change for businesses using the Trader Support Service (TSS) to move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
A new TSS platform, operated by Net company, will go live next month.
From 20 October 2026, all relevant goods movements must be submitted through the new TSS platform. The current TSS platform will no longer accept new goods movements from this date.
Businesses currently using TSS should prepare now to make sure they can continue submitting customs declarations without disruption.
What Is Changing?
The Trader Support Service is a free digital service that helps businesses manage customs declarations when moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
HMRC is moving the service to a new online platform.
The important point is that the customs rules and businesses' legal obligations are not changing.
The main change is the online platform used to submit declarations.
When Is the Change Happening?
The new TSS platform will become the required platform for relevant goods movements from:
20 October 2026
From this date, the current TSS platform will not accept new goods movements.
Businesses should therefore complete their move to the new platform before the deadline.
Who Does This Affect?
This change is mainly relevant to businesses that:
Currently use the Trader Support Service.
Move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Need to submit customs declarations for these movements.
Businesses that do not use TSS or do not make relevant movements between Great Britain and Northern Ireland may not be affected by this particular change.
What Do Businesses Need to Do?
Businesses currently using TSS should look out for an invitation email from 1 October 2026 with instructions for moving to the new platform.
They should:
Look out for their invitation email.
Pre-enrol on the new TSS platform.
Create a new password.
Check that their business details are correct.
Review their permissions and make sure the right people have access.
Use the available test environment to familiarise themselves with the new platform.
Make sure staff responsible for customs declarations are aware of the change.
HMRC says updating a business profile could take approximately 5–30 minutes, depending on the size of the business and the information available.
Will the Customs Rules Change?
No.
This is an important point for businesses.
The change is to the TSS platform, not the underlying customs requirements.
Businesses will continue to have the same legal and regulatory obligations when moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The new platform is intended to provide improved functionality and enhanced support.
Why Should Businesses Prepare Early?
Businesses should not wait until 20 October to move to the new platform.
If a business currently relies on TSS for customs declarations, it needs to be ready to use the new platform for goods movements taking place on or after 20 October.
Preparing early gives businesses time to:
Complete pre-enrolment.
Check their business information.
Set up their new password.
Review permissions.
Test the new platform.
Resolve any issues before the deadline.
What About the Test Environment?
HMRC will provide businesses with access to a test environment where they can familiarise themselves with the new platform.
This gives businesses an opportunity to understand how the new system works before they need to use it for live goods movements.
Businesses should make use of this opportunity, particularly if several members of staff are responsible for customs declarations.
Key Takeaway
HMRC is replacing the existing Trader Support Service platform with a new platform operated by Netcompany.
From 20 October 2026, all relevant goods movements must be submitted through the new TSS platform, and the current platform will no longer accept new movements.
The customs rules are not changing, but businesses using TSS will need to move to the new platform.
What Is ASESA's Advice?
Businesses currently using the Trader Support Service should start preparing now. ASESA Solutions Ltd recommends that businesses currently using TSS look out for their invitation from 1 October, complete pre-enrolment and familiarise themselves with the new platform well before the 20 October deadline.
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