Customs Declarant
The role of customs declarant is a highly technical and detailed one, which is essential to maintaining the flow of goods in the logistics and freight forwarding sectors where cross-border goods shipments are being made. You’ll be checking consignments before they have left the factory or warehouse, whether that’s in person or via local teams charged with ensuring everything is in order.
As a customs declarant, you’ll find yourself dealing with customers, overseas departments of your own company and suppliers on a daily basis. You’ll also be dealing with the HMRC in the UK regularly, or the equivalent customs, duty and taxation bodies in foreign countries. In some roles, the job can be much deeper, visiting manufacturers and buyers to check up on their processes, stock and paperwork and making sure it’s compliant for the proposed contracts. Often, it is all done remotely, however, and this can open the role up to hybrid working arrangements for certain declarants.
The skills required
Primarily, you’ll be experienced in customs and duty procedures, but since that is a huge subject, some companies are looking for talent that’s experienced in a certain field, for example chemicals, pharmaceuticals or aviation. The number of years’ experience desired varies from business to business, but most are looking for at least 2 years, while others want as much as 5 years in the job.
You’ll be knowledgeable in customs classification, and should know your own jurisdiction’s rules inside out, while being a fast learner when it comes to getting to grips with the rules in other nations and specialised sectors. Your attention to detail and accuracy will be second to none, and you’ll be able to communicate complicated legal concepts succinctly and unambiguously.
Customs Declarant Jobs in Shetland
Shetland is the name given to the council area that coincides with what is commonly known as the Shetland Islands. The islands are located in the Atlantic Ocean, 130 miles (215 km) north east of John O’Groats. The main bulk of the islands themselves are some 70 miles (110 km) from north to south, but roughly only 25 miles (40 km) east to west. The islands have only been part of Scotland since the 1500s, and have strong links with Scandinavia. Norway is just 200 miles (320 km) to the east, a short hop on a longboat.
The main administrative headquarters is Lerwick, whose 7000 population accounts for about a third of the Islands’ total. The islands have a basic road system and a ferry system links its 16 inhabited islands as well as Orkney and Aberdeen. Despite being small, the island’s inhabitants still have modern needs, and this will necessarily require a good deal of contact with the mainland. This could open up opportunities for such Customs Declarant positions and the proximity to the North Sea oil fields is also economically positive.
Popular locations
Customs declarants needed now
Nothing can be left to chance with customs declarations, so logistics and import/export businesses are always looking for the most experienced declarants, and very competitive salaries are available for the right candidates.
If you’re looking at customs declarant jobs and have the skills and the experience, why not leave your details with us by registering below? We will get in touch when a relevant opening becomes available – it could be a life-changing decision.
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