Customs Compliance Specialist

Matchtech; Totnes; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Matchtech is seeking a Customs Compliance Specialist to join our global manufacturing client in Totnes, Devon. The role focuses on ensuring compliant import/export activities across global operations, supporting tariff classification and regulatory adherence while collaborating with internal teams, brokers, and freight providers.

Key responsibilities include maintaining documentation, managing commodity codes, and driving improvements in customs procedures.

Qualifications

• Experience in customs compliance, international trade, logistics or import/export operations.
• Strong understanding of customs processes and documentation requirements.
• Knowledge of UK customs regulations and trade compliance legislation.
• Experience with tariff classification, commodity coding and origin rules.
• Understanding of Inward Processing Relief (IPR) and related procedures.
• Excellent attention to detail in a regulated environment.
• Strong stakeholder management with brokers, freight forwarders and internal teams.
• Ability to analyse data, review documentation and maintain compliance records.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, ideally IFS, and customs management systems.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all import and export shipments comply with customs regulations and company procedures.
• Prepare, review and maintain customs documentation for accuracy and audit readiness.
• Manage and validate tariff classifications across products and shipments.
• Support brokers and logistics providers with clear shipping instructions.
• Monitor shipments and clearance activities to minimise delays.
• Investigate and resolve customs queries and clearance issues.
• Conduct post-entry reviews and support corrections where required.
• Provide guidance to stakeholders across operations, supply chain, finance and engineering.
• Maintain accurate customs records and support audits.
• Review entries to ensure ongoing compliance and update product data as needed.
• Identify and escalate potential customs and trade compliance risks.
• Monitor regulatory changes and communicate impacts to the business.
• Drive continuous improvements in customs procedures and trade compliance.
• Support awareness and training activities relating to customs and international trade.

Skills

Customs compliance

International trade

Import/Export operations

Tariff classification

Documentation management

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Regulatory awareness

Communication skills

Training and awareness

Tools

IFS ERP

Customs management systems

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Customs Compliance Specialist to join a leading global manufacturer of advanced technology and engineering solutions. Operating in international markets, this organisation supplies highly innovative products to customers worldwide and is looking to strengthen its trade compliance capability within a growing and dynamic team.

This role focuses on ensuring import and export across global operations, supporting customs processes, tariff classification and regulatory adherence whilst working closely with internal stakeholders, freight providers and customs brokers.

Role - Customs Compliance Specialist

Location - Totnes, Devon

Type - Permanent position

Salary - Competitive + benefits

Key responsibilities of the Customs Compliance Specialist role include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure all import and export shipments comply with applicable customs regulations, company procedures and international trade requirements
• Prepare, review and maintain customs documentation, ensuring accuracy, completeness and audit readiness.
• Manage and validate commodity codes (tariff classifications) across products and shipments.
• Support customs brokers and logistics providers with clear and compliant shipping instructions.
• Monitor shipments and customs clearance activities to minimise delays and operational disruption.
• Investigate and resolve customs queries, discrepancies and clearance issues.
• Conduct post-entry reviews and support customs corrections where required.
• Provide guidance and practical support to stakeholders across operations, supply chain, finance and engineering functions.
• Maintain accurate customs records and support internal and external compliance audits.
• Review customs entries to ensure ongoing accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Support tariff classification requests and ensure product data is maintained within business systems.
• Identify potential customs and trade compliance risks, escalating issues where appropriate.
• Monitor regulatory changes and communicate any impacts to the wider business.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across customs procedures and trade compliance processes.
• Support awareness and training activities relating to customs and international trade requirements.

Key skills and experience required for the Customs Compliance Specialist role include, but are not limited to:

• Previous experience within customs compliance, international trade, logistics or import/export operations.
• Strong understanding of customs processes and documentation requirements.
• Knowledge of UK customs regulations and trade compliance legislation.
• Experience with tariff classification, commodity coding and origin rules would be highly advantageous.
• Understanding of special procedures, including Inward Processing Relief (IPR).
• Excellent attention to detail with the ability to work accurately within a regulated environment.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience working alongside brokers, freight forwarders and internal teams.
• Comfortable analysing data, reviewing documentation and maintaining compliance records.
• Experience using ERP systems, ideally IFS, would be beneficial.
• Familiarity with customs management systems would be advantageous.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to explain complex customs requirements to non-specialists.
• Proactive approach to identifying compliance risks and driving improvements.

To apply for this Customs Compliance Specialist / Customs Compliance Analyst / Import Export Compliance Analyst / Customs Specialist / Trade Compliance Coordinator role, candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.