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 Lowestoft
On the north-eastern tip of Suffolk, 7 miles (11 km) south of Great Yarmouth and 21 miles (33 km) south east of Norwich, is the port town of Lowestoft. The town has a long history as a fishing and freight port town, and some of the earliest evidence of settlement in the UK has been found here. Unfortunately, the town's location and its harbouring of vessels and materials for the war efforts meant that it was bombed and shelled during both world wars, as was the case with many towns on the east coast.
Lowestoft got its railway link in the 19th century and this helped the town to boom as its trawlers' catches could be taken away to the cities quickly. The railway also stimulated other industry to set up there, as it made imports and exports simple by land and sea. Until the 1990s there were several multinational companies in the town, but they have largely gone now, and tourism plays a vital role – Lowestoft does have very attractive sandy beaches. Another well known industry was Lowestoft porcelain, which was among the finest in the world in its day.
It is not uncommon for Customs Coordinator jobs to become available in Lowestoft and the surrounding area as the docks are still active, even if they are not at the same level as they were fifty years ago. There is still a major Birds Eye factory in the town, and the headquarters of Hoseasons Holidays is located there. Much employment comes from the oil and gas industries, too, and recently Lowestoft has become a key site for the manufacture of renewable energy equipment, from solar panels to offshore wind turbines. There is a population of around 65,000 and several ,moderately populated towns along the coast, which can all add up to a reasonably active logistics and supply chain sector.
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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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