Relation, authorisation and sequence errorsRelation & missing element

CDS12071Relation error: Data Element must be supplied at either header or item level and cannot be declared at both levels

HMRC explanation

A field has been completed at header and item level

Check the data element completion guide for exports from the CDS Tariff. This tells you the exact requirements for each field. In particular see the data element completion guide for data elements 3/9, 5/8, 5/14, 7/10 and 8/5.

Source: HMRC, Customs Declaration Service error codes, Open Government Licence v3.0. GOV.UK publication · Licence

What to check across the Relation, authorisation and sequence errors

Two elements, or a value and a rule, disagree. Read both elements together: completing one element with a particular code often requires another value, and the fault is frequently in the element you did not change. The family also covers parties and authorisations that are not recognised, references that must be unique, and messages sent out of sequence.

A declaration that clears CDS can still be wrong

The free eligibility checker confirms your import activity and whether a free post-clearance audit applies. No data upload, no commitment.

Run a free audit

Source: HMRC, Customs Declaration Service error codes, Open Government Licence v3.0. GOV.UK publication · Licence