Customs Coordinator
Making sure all the customs requirements are in place has always been a challenge for anyone in freight import and export, but now the UK is out of the EU, there’s a whole new set of challenges – and rules that can change at a moment’s notice. That’s where the customs coordinator comes in. They will be in charge of ensuring all the paperwork (and online equivalents) has been completed and that all exports and imports are legitimately logged.
In small logistics firms, this job might be quite hands-on, liaising with warehousing staff and drivers to keep everything in order, often with quite severe time pressures. For larger companies, customs coordinator jobs are going to be more about delegating tasks to personnel who will quite often be widely spread geographically.
Another important part of the job is checking the paperwork of other customs staff, be they suppliers, customers or colleagues. It’s hard to overstate how important this role is for businesses, as mistakes and oversights can be expensive and legally perilous. Good customs coordinators can command excellent remuneration packages because of this responsibility.
The skills required
Businesses looking to fill these roles need conscientious, experienced people, so the more years you have under your belt, the better. In such a frequently changing role, where the laws of multiple jurisdictions affect the work you do, a quick mind that’s ready to learn and understand new legislation and apply it to your daily work is essential.
You’ll be comfortable with getting down on the shop floor and talking issues over with colleagues, clients and suppliers, but also sitting at the computer and working your way through pages of documents to sign off. Although much of it is automated nowadays, your keen eye will be able to spot anomalies and errors and your training will give you the confidence to challenge them.
Customs Coordinator Jobs in Ashford
The Kent town of Ashford was traditionally a market town and stop-off point for London to Folkestone or Dover travellers. Although it has a moderately large population of around 65,000, it is by far the largest settlement for 20 miles in any direction, and remains an important shopping town in the region, especially now that it has a designer outlet to accompany its several shopping districts.
It is the railways that have played the largest part in Ashford’s history since the nineteenth century, however. The town served as an important hub for trains to London (50 miles, or 80 km, to the north west), Tonbridge, Hastings, Folkestone and Canterbury and this brought trade and population to the town. But Ashford’s link with the railways became international when it was made a stop on the Eurostar line to France in 1996. The town now has at least five distinct trading and industrial estates, some of which are located there mainly thanks to its excellent links with London and the Continent.
Ashford has always been a busy town but the Eurostar line coming to town has made it a key element in Britain’s transport infrastructure. Ashford is also well connected by road, with the M20/A20 that links Folkestone/Dover and London passing by Ashford’s eastern borders. This all adds up to a positive picture for anyone seeking Customs Coordinator jobs in Ashford or the surrounding area.
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Coordinate your recruitment needs with Cast UK
If you’re a customs coordinator who fits the bill, it’s likely that Cast UK will have some top roles waiting to be filled by people like you. All you have to do is click the link below which will take you to a brief registration page – leave your details with us and we’ll come back as soon as the right role arises.
If you’re an employer in supply chain and logistics and need a qualified customs coordinator, we can help. Give one of our consultants a call on 0333 121 3345 and we can get you a professional shortlist that’ll make your recruitment job simple and quick.
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