Import Customs Manager

Freightserve recruitment are looking for a Import Customs Manager for a well-established Courier company based in the Colnbrook, Berkshire area.

The Import Customs Manager is responsible for ensuring the efficient, compliant, and timely clearance of all inbound international shipments. This role oversees the end-to-end customs process, manages relationships with customs authorities, and leads the import team to deliver operational excellence while minimising clearance delays and compliance risks.

We require a confident and passionate individual to take on the position who must have the ability to lead, develop and motivate the Imports team to consistently achieve the service and quality objectives. The individual’s role will be to ensure that all customs entries are processed accurately and in a timely and effective manner.

The individual will also be responsible for generating and implementing effective and efficient processes and procedures to ensure all Duty and Tax payments are made to HMRC and are billed to and collected from customers. This will involve ensuring the Deferment Account and FAS Account are reconciled on a monthly basis. The individual must also thoroughly understand the HMRC customs clearance procedures and ensure that compliance with these procedures is always followed. As Import Manager the individual must be highly organized, a strong leader as well as a team player and will report directly to the Managing Director.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, mentor and develop the import & cargo customs team (team size 4) including monthly appraisals, annual leave, sickness etc.

• Act as the main point of contact for customs-related queries from customers, authorities, and internal departments.

• Process customs clearance entries (CDS), not just delegation of duties (lead by example) for all courier/cargo import shipments at LHR, MAN, EDI & GLA.

• Process creation of jobs within Boxtop, billing via Boxtop, creation of CSDs and maintain knowledge of known cargo/SPX procedures.

• Perform BI to Company's ETSF (acceptance/release for Courier/Cargo).

• Manage the internal customs system (Customs Central) linked with ASM (Sequoia).

• Keep up to date with changes in customs legislation, tariffs, and procedures, and communicate updates to the team.

• Oversee classification of goods (HS codes), valuation, and origin declarations.

• Improve effectiveness and efficiency of processes and procedures ensuring checks are in put into place and kept up to date.

• Ensure 100% compliance with HMRC policies and procedures.

• Communicate effectively with other departments (Operations/Finance).

• Low value bulk clearance (BIRDS) & high value clearance.

Essential

• Management and leadership experience

• Previous Courier Import experience

• Low value bulk clearance (BIRDS) experience

• ETSF Procedures (BI to shed)

• Must be proficient in Descartes(e-customs) & ASM (Sequioa)

• Must be proficient in using CDS and CNS System (Chief)

• Administrative background

• Detail and results orientated

• Must be able to work independently and as part of a larger team with a flexible can do attitude approach to working

• Able to multi-task, work under pressure and meet set deadlines

Working hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm

As an agency we are fast becoming the number one Freight specialist in the UK. We have a fast growing reputation with most Freight related companies. Freightserve has been established since 1992 working within the Freight Forwarding and Shipping industry.