Customs Coordinator

Customs Co-ordinator
Location: Biggleswade
Salary: £26,500 – £28,500 per annum
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Customs Co-ordinator to join our busy freight forwarding team in Biggleswade. This role is crucial in ensuring international shipments are processed smoothly and in full compliance with UK customs and excise regulations—especially during time-critical periods, when trailers cross borders and issues may arise.
The ideal candidate will be hands-on with customs procedures, and capable of resolving problems independently, including retrieving and submitting missing or incorrect documentation to HMRC in a timely manner.
You will support all aspects of the customs clearance cycle while providing guidance to internal teams and ensuring accurate recordkeeping for audits and compliance.
Duties

• Complete and submit accurate import/export customs declarations in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations and other relevant authorities for all shipment types.
• Proactively monitor weekend trailer movements, retrieve documentation where needed, and liaise with HMRC to resolve clearance issues without delay.
• Manage customs processes including IPR/OPR, SIEL/OIEL licensing, AEO standards, and transit procedures.
• Track and monitor shipments through the customs process, identifying and resolving any issues or delays.
• Liaise primarily with internal teams and, on occasion, directly with customers to obtain required documentation and resolve queries.
• Escalate non-compliance or procedural issues to the Customs Manager where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records in line with legal, audit, and HMRC requirements.
• Process entries using customs software
• Support audits, KPI tracking, and regular customs reporting.
• Provide customs guidance to other departments, reviewing documentation and processes for compliance.
• Handle carnet entries, excise movements, bonded warehousing, and post-entry amendments.

The Candidate

• Proven experience in a customs clearance or freight forwarding role is essential.
• Strong knowledge of UK customs procedures, including tariff classification, valuation, import/export controls, and duty relief schemes.
• Comfortable resolving live shipment issues independently, especially under time pressure
• Strong understanding of excise procedures
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Excellent accuracy and attention to detail in data entry and recordkeeping.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision.
• A team player who can also operate independently, managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.