Customs Compliance Specialist

ASCO - Workforce Solutions; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

ASCO - Workforce Solutions is seeking a Customs Compliance Specialist in Aberdeen to ensure cross-border movements comply with UK, EU and international customs laws. You will oversee regulatory adherence, maintain audit-ready documentation and implement controls to minimise duty exposure and delays.

You will manage HMRC authorisations, customs warehousing and bonded stock compliance, while identifying process improvements and coordinating with regulators and partners across jurisdictions.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of UK customs legislation, tariff classification, valuation rules, origin determination and duty management.
• Experience with CDS, port community systems (Destin8, CNS) and trade-management platforms.
• Experience managing HMRC authorisations and customs warehousing/bonded stock compliance.
• Experience with internal audits, risk assessments and corrective actions.
• AEO compliance experience is beneficial.
• Proven experience in UK customs compliance, brokerage, freight forwarding or international trade.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply customs legislation including UK Customs Code, WTO rules and export controls.
• Maintain internal compliance frameworks, SOPs and controls for consistent adherence across customs activities.
• Manage HMRC authorisations and ensure warehousing/bonded stock compliance.
• Monitor regulatory changes and update classifications and valuation methods accordingly.
• Validate HS codes, origin, valuation and licences.
• Maintain audit-ready records of entries, duty payments and compliance documentation.
• Liaise with HMRC, Border Force, port authorities and carriers.

Skills

UK customs law

Tariff classification

Valuation rules

Origin determination

Duty management

HMRC authorisations

Customs warehousing

Bonded stock

Audit & compliance

Data validation

Analytical skills

Attention to detail

Stakeholder communication

CDS/Port systems

Tools

CDS

Destin8

CNS

Job description

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday 0830 - 1630

Reporting to the Customs Manager, the Customs Compliance Specialist ensures that all crossborder movements comply with UK, EU, and international customs legislation. They oversee regulatory adherence across import/export processes, maintain auditready documentation, and implement controls that minimise compliance risk, duty exposure, and operational delays.

The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining customs compliance, managing HMRC authorisations and ensuring customs warehousing and bonded stock activities meet all relevant regulatory requirements. They will also identify opportunities to improve customs processes, systems and operational controls. Key responsibilities include:

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

• Interpret and apply customs legislation (UK Customs Code, WTO rules, sanctions regimes, export controls).
• Maintain internal compliance frameworks, SOPs, and controls to ensure consistent adherence across all customs activities.
• Manage and monitor HMRC authorisations, ensuring ongoing compliance with associated conditions and requirements.
• Ensure customs warehousing and bonded stock activities comply with relevant legislation, procedures and record-keeping requirements.
• Monitor regulatory changes and update internal processes, tariff classifications and valuation methodologies accordingly.

Customs Data Integrity & Documentation

• Validate accuracy of all customs data: HS codes, origin, valuation, procedure codes, licences, certificates, and supporting documents.
• Ensure declarations meet HMRC requirements and align with CDS, port community systems, and thirdparty platforms.
• Maintain complete, auditready records for all customs entries, duty payments, and compliance documentation.
• Identify compliance risks across supplychain flows and implement corrective actions.
• Investigate customs holds, discrepancies, and regulatory queries; liaise with HMRC, Border Force, port authorities, and carriers.
• Conduct internal audits, rootcause analysis, and compliance reviews to prevent recurrence of issues.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide expert guidance to internal teams, clients, suppliers, and logistics partners on customs requirements and best practice.
• Support tender responses, client onboarding, and operational planning with compliance expertise.
• Coordinate with global compliance teams to ensure alignment across multiple jurisdictions.

Minimum Competencies (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours)

• Strong knowledge of UK customs legislation, tariff classification, valuation rules, origin determination and duty management.
• Practical understanding of HMRC authorisations, customs warehousing and bonded stock compliance.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret regulations, assess compliance risks and identify gaps in existing processes.
• High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation, data validation and record keeping.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving, corrective action and continuous improvement.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and drive improvements through to completion.
• Effective communication skills when working with regulatory authorities, clients and internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced logistics environment.
• Proficiency with CDS, port community systems (including Destin8 and CNS) and trade-management platforms.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in UK customs compliance, customs brokerage, freight forwarding or international trade.
• Strong working knowledge of CDS, customs procedures and multi-jurisdictional regulatory environments.
• Experience managing HMRC authorisations and ensuring compliance with customs warehousing and bonded stock requirements.
• Experience conducting internal audits, risk assessments and implementing corrective actions.
• Experience with Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) compliance would be highly beneficial.
• Relevant professional customs qualifications are advantageous, such as: o Certified Customs Specialist (CCS). o CILT customs qualifications. o Export controls and dual-use compliance training.