Customs & Compliance Specialist

Parkside Recruitment; Windsor; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Parkside Recruitment is partnering with a global client near Windsor to recruit a Customs Compliance Specialist on a permanent basis. The role is three days in the office per week, with a hybrid pattern depending on business needs.

You will ensure full compliance with HMRC, Irish Revenue, Windsor Agreement, EU customs and other regulatory requirements. You will oversee import/export activities, manage declarations, tariff classifications, origin determinations and duty calculations, and maintain

Qualifications

• Proven experience in customs operations and trade compliance.
• Strong understanding of UK and EU customs regulations, Incoterms, duty reliefs, and cross-border processes.
• Experience working with Customs System (e.g. SAP GTS).
• High attention to detail with ability to balance urgency and regulatory accuracy.
• Strong communication skills and confidence to work with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee import/export customs declarations for UK/Ireland with correct classification and VAT treatment.
• Manage relationships with brokers, agents, HMRC, and other authorities.
• Lead internal customs and compliance audits and support HQ audits.
• Monitor changes in customs legislation and update business processes accordingly.
• Provide customs reporting and performance indicators to senior management.

Skills

Customs operations

Trade compliance

UK/EU regulations

Audits

Stakeholder comms

Tools

SAP GTS

Job description

I am partnering with a Global client based close to Windsor who are looking for a Customs Compliance Specialist on a permanent basis .

3 days per week in the office

THE ROLE

• Ensure full compliance with HMRC, Irish Revenue, Windsor Agreement, EU Customs and other applicable trade and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee and monitor all import and export customs activities, ensuring accurate declarations, documentation, tariff classifications, customs valuations, origin determinations and duty calculations.
• Maintain and continuously improve the Internal Control and Customs Compliance Management System (CCMS), ensuring all identified risks are properly mitigated, and all relevant controls are implemented, monitored and effectively maintained.
• Maintain AEO accreditation and all relevant customs authorisations, ensuring adherence to the requirements of HMRC and other regulatory authorities.
• Lead internal customs and compliance audits, support HQ audit requirements and act as the primary contact for external audits and inspections conducted by HMRC, Irish Revenue, the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control, Chambers of Commerce and other regulatory bodies.
• Work closely with Finance, local operational stakeholders and Central Customs to resolve any relevant Customs compliance and any relevant issues (import duties, VAT,Customs Broker documentation) as a priority, ensuring timely escalation, accurate reporting and compliance at all times.
• Provide customs-related reporting, compliance metrics and performance indicators to Group Customs and senior management as required.
• Drive continuous improvement, process documentation and standardisation, automation initiatives and compliance awareness across the business to strengthen governance and operational efficiency.
• Lead or support customs, trade compliance and broader regulatory projects, while providing expert guidance and ad-hoc support to the business as required.

Customs Management

• Oversee accurate and timely import/export customs declarations for the UK and Ireland, ensuring correct classification, valuation, origin, duty and VAT treatment.
• Ensure customs clearance documentation is complete, accurate, retained correctly and available for audit purposes.
• Manage relationships with customs brokers, shipping agents, logistics providers, HMRC, Revenue Commissioners and other relevant authorities.
• Monitor changes in customs legislation and ensure business processes are updated accordingly.
• Act as Customs Coordinator to reperesent local entity to communicate with HMRC and with Central function, and connect with any relevant projects.
• Maintain and optimise customs authorisations and simplifications, including AEO, customs warehousing and postponed VAT accounting.
• Work with Finance and operational teams to ensure accurate customs reporting, duty payments, VAT treatment and HMRC MSS reconciliation.

SKILLS, BEHAVIOURS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience in customs operations and trade compliance, ideally in a distribution or automotive.
• Strong understanding of UK and EU customs regulations, Incoterms, duty reliefs, and cross-border processes.
• Experience working with any Customs System (e.g. SAP GTS)
• High attention to detail with the ability to balance operational urgency and regulatory accuracy.
• Strong communication skills and confidence to work with senior stakeholders.