Need Help with Customs? Discover What a Clearance Agent Does and How We Support You
If you’re wondering whether you need a Customs Clearance Agent, here are a few key reasons why working with an experienced team like us can make all the difference to your shipping process:
- Stay Compliant with Regulations: Customs rules vary by country, agents stay up to date so you don’t have to
- Save Time and Money: Prevent costly errors, delays, and unexpected duty fees
- Combined Freight & Customs Services: Partner with a freight forwarder that can manage both shipping and customs clearance on your behalf
- Experts in UK CDS: Our team is fully integrated with the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) for seamless, digital customs processing
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What Is a Custom Clearance Agent, and Do I Need One?
A Freight Forwarder ships your goods, and a Customs Clearance Agent gets it past the border. Choosing a reliable, experienced, and trustworthy agent is essential to get your goods efficiently where they need to go. Every shipment delay costs time, money, and stress, so having the right agent in place can make all the difference. In some cases, like with Barrington Freight, the freight forwarder and clearance agent are the same entity, which can help streamline the shipping and customs processes.
Every country has its own customs requirements relating to import and export clearance, so it is essential to have a local expert on your team to streamline processes. But one common condition is that the Customs Clearance Agent – or customs broker as they are known in some countries – are accredited with local customs border agencies and authorities to get goods cleared and into the country.
An agent should have a valid clearing licence when clearing customer goods, so be sure your agent’s credentials are up to date. Many countries have stringent licensing requirements subject to regular review – if agents do not follow the rules perfectly, their licence is revoked. Some countries even hold exams to ensure agents maintain a high standard, although others prefer to review acquired experience.
Apart from lodging documentation with customs, a Customs Clearance Agent has other responsibilities and requirements to fulfil. The agent must:
- Be a company accredited with the local customs authorities and border agencies
- Have in-depth knowledge of the codes, duties, and VAT
- Organises payment for duty and VAT
- Negotiate freight rates with carriers for clients.
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What Are the Most Important Aspects to Consider?
One of the most significant traits needed of your Customs Clearance Agent is organisation skills. There is a great deal of paperwork to gain export and import clearance. The client, AKA you, will pay the ultimate price if anything during shipping and clearance goes wrong. Be sure your agent takes their job as the serious endeavour it is.
Freight Forwarding vs Customs Clearance: Why a Combined Service Matters
Simply put, a freight forwarder arranges the transportation of your goods, while a customs clearance agent ensures they pass through border controls smoothly. In many cases—such as with Barrington Freight—the two services are combined, streamlining the shipping and customs process. This means you won’t need to search for a separate customs agent.
Our customs clearance experts work directly with local authorities, ensuring compliance and minimising delays. At the same time, our freight forwarding services provide a global reach, offering a seamless, end-to-end logistics solution. With Barrington Freight, you get the advantage of a single, trusted partner managing every stage of the journey, helping you move goods efficiently, cost-effectively, and stress-free.
Comprehensive Customs Clearance Services with Barrington Freight
Navigating customs regulations can be complex, but with Barrington Freight, you have a dedicated partner ensuring seamless clearance for all your shipments. Our experienced team handles everything from tariff classifications and duty payments to compliance with UK and international customs laws. We work closely with HMRC and other regulatory bodies to expedite the process, reducing the risk of delays and additional costs. Whether you’re importing goods from Europe, Asia, or beyond, our expert customs clearance services ensure your shipments arrive on time, hassle-free.
Get in touch to discuss your customs clearance needs and let us take care of the complexities for you.
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What Is the Customs Declaration Service?
The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is a more modern and secure IT platform for traders and freight agents to use to make their customs declarations compared to the old Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system that was used before. CDS is a single system that has been designed for use by both importers and exporters. It was put together to be able to cope with the expected growing demands of British-based companies.
CDS provides British trading firms with a single service that allows them to upload supporting paperwork, to make arrival notifications and to query any declaration status their consignment may currently have. In addition, CDS provides a single location where traders and their customs clearance agents can receive notifications from customs officials.
Finally, CDS is designed to handle XML requests for the consolidation, movement or querying of consignments for the purposes of inventory linking. In short, it is a unified customs declaration and handling system.
At Barrington Freight, we’ve fully transitioned to the CDS system, ensuring seamless customs clearance for both imports and exports. Our expert team is well-versed in the system, providing efficient and compliant declarations to keep your shipments moving smoothly
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When Did the Customs Declaration Service Become Mandatory?
The transition to the CDS has now been completed, replacing CHIEF as the UK’s primary customs platform. Import declarations moved to CDS in September 2022, while export declarations followed on 30 September 2023. British businesses must now submit all customs declarations through CDS, ensuring compliance with HMRC’s digital customs processes.
What Do British Firms That Trade Overseas Need to Do?
To ensure smooth customs clearance, businesses should confirm their CDS registration via HMRC’s online portal. Companies must also ensure their Government Gateway account is linked to CDS, set up a Direct Debit for duty payments if required, and familiarise themselves with the new system’s data requirements.
For full guidance, visit the official GOV.UK website to check that your business is fully compliant with the CDS system.
Expert Guidance on the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) with Barrington Freight
As the UK’s mandatory platform for customs declarations, the Customs Declaration Service (CDS) has replaced the outdated CHIEF system, requiring businesses to adapt to new digital processes. At Barrington Freight, we have fully integrated with CDS, ensuring that all import and export declarations are processed efficiently and in full compliance with HMRC regulations. Our team handles everything from submitting accurate declarations to managing duty payments and inventory linking, reducing the risk of errors or delays. Whether you need help transitioning to CDS or require ongoing support for customs documentation, we provide a seamless, stress-free service to keep your supply chain moving. If you require support for customs documentation, contact us today.
Customs Clearance FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What Penalties Could I Face If I Don’t Comply With Customs Declaration Service Rules?
Non-compliance with CDS regulations can lead to shipment delays, financial penalties or even seizure of goods. Errors in declarations may result in HMRC audits, fines for underpaid duties or additional customs scrutiny on future shipments. Using a customs clearance expert minimises these risks by ensuring that all declarations meet the latest compliance requirements, keeping your supply chain running smoothly.
How Can a Customs Clearance Agent Help With Complex Shipments?
A customs clearance agent is preferable for handling complex shipments, such as multi-item consignments, bulk imports or goods subject to special regulations. They ensure that each item is correctly classified, duty is calculated accurately, and all required documentation is submitted to avoid customs delays.
What’s the Difference Between an Import Customs Broker and a Customs Clearance Agent?
An import customs broker primarily assists businesses in managing the customs entry process for imported goods, ensuring that duties and VAT are correctly calculated and paid. A customs clearance agent, on the other hand, handles the entire customs process for both imports and exports, including documentation, compliance checks, and liaising with HMRC. At Barrington Freight, we provide both services, so the precise distinction is something our customers don’t need to be concerned with.
Can a Clearing Agent Help With Time-Sensitive Shipments?
Yes, we specialise in fast-tracking customs clearance for urgent shipments. By ensuring that all declarations, duty payments, and compliance checks are completed in advance, we help businesses avoid unnecessary hold-ups and keep supply chains moving smoothly.
We are friendly, easy to work with, honest and we do not charge the earth.
For more information about our customs clearance or freight forwarding services or if you have an unusual load request, reach out to our operations team on 01268 525 444 or email sales@barringtonfreight.co.uk.
