Hiring someone to do your customs declarations

Guidance on GOV.UK

Understand how to hire someone to conduct declarations on your behalf

You can hire a person or business to deal with customs for you. Before appointing someone there are several things to consider, including your business needs and how you will be charged.

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There are different types of people or businesses who can help you, such as freight forwarders, customs agents or brokers and fast parcel operators. All of these will need to be established in the UK for customs. You’ll need to confirm in writing the terms and conditions of your representation and keep a copy of this agreement for your own records.

Service on GOV.UK

Find a customs agent or fast parcel operator

It can be complicated to submit export declarations, so you may want to use a company which specialises in this area. You can use our register to find someone to help you with your customs paperwork.

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Customs agents on this list provide a range of customs services on traders’ behalf. Fast parcel operators on this list offer a range of customs services for both low and high-value parcels.

Guidance on GOV.UK

Learn about freight forwarding: moving goods

Freight forwarders specialise in moving cargo, arranging customs clearance, maintaining all documentation, overseeing cargo packing and dealing with the movement of dangerous goods.

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One of a freight forwarder’s main functions is to arrange customs clearance of goods crossing a border. Freight forwarders can do this themselves or subcontract it to a company that specialises in customs broking. They also need specific software that can communicate with the HMRC central computer.