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 West Bromwich
Only five miles north-west of Birmingham, West Bromwich is a large town that offers a number of options for those seeking Customs Declarant roles.
For hundreds of years, West Bromwich was mainly an agricultural area and the town first rose to prominence during the 19th century when deposits of coal were discovered in the region.
It grew quickly as a coal mining town and associated industries also arrived. Indeed, the area became known as the Black Country due to the smoke and soot that resulted.
Until the latter half of the 20th century, West Bromwich's economy was based mainly on manufacturing, with one of its main products being metalwork for the automotive industry. Textiles and chemicals were also produced.
The town suffered significant job losses during the 1970s, as more and more factories were moved to locations abroad in order to make use of cheaper workforces.
Today, West Bromwich's economy is mainly based in retail and the service sector; this is particularly due to recent investments to regenerate the area - with large shopping centres like Queen's Square. West Bromwich Building Society has been based in the town for more than 160 years, while the region's main employers are based in the public sector, including Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council.
Manufacturing, however, does still play a part in the local economy, with products including building supplies and technology.
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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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