Customs Declarations Clerk
Also advertised as: Customs Broker Assistant, Customs Clerk, Customs Compliance Coordinator, Customs Declarations Clerk, Import/Export Clerk
Prepares and submits customs declarations for goods entering or leaving the UK.
What the job involves
Customs declarations clerks classify goods correctly, calculate duty and complete the paperwork required to move goods across UK borders legally. Since the UK left the EU, demand for this skill set has grown significantly across freight and trading businesses. Accuracy matters because mistakes can delay shipments or trigger penalties.
Typical responsibilities
- Prepare and submit customs declarations
- Classify goods using the correct commodity codes
- Calculate applicable duty and VAT
- Liaise with HMRC and freight forwarders
- Keep records for customs audits
Common employers
- Freight forwarding companies
- Customs agencies
- Import/export businesses
- Ports
Pay, hours and working environment
Typical pay
£22,000 – £26,000 a year
With experience
£28,000 – £35,000 a year
Typical hours
37.5 hours, office based
Working environment
Office based, desk work
Remote working
hybrid
Demand for this work
high
Pay ranges are indicative guidance drawn from advertised UK vacancies and published careers information. They are not an offer, and actual pay varies by employer, location and experience.
Skills and qualifications
Core skills
- Attention to detail
- Customs regulations knowledge
- Numeracy
- IT systems use
- Organisation
Transferable skills you may already have
- Administration experience
- Data entry accuracy
- Working to deadlines
Requirements employers ask for
- Attention to detail
- Customs regulations knowledge
- Numeracy
- IT systems use
- Organisation
- GCSEs including maths and English
Useful but not essential
- Administration experience
- Data entry accuracy
- Working to deadlines
- Customs declarations training course
- Diploma from the British International Freight Association
Helpful qualifications
- Customs declarations training course
- Diploma from the British International Freight Association
Ways into this career
A degree is only one route. Where an apprenticeship, work-experience or qualification route exists, it is listed here alongside the academic option.
Apprenticeships and work-based routes
- International Trade Logistician (Level 3)
Degree and college routes
- Related subject: Business studies
Where this career can lead
next
Senior Customs Advisor
next
Customs Compliance Manager
next
Trade Compliance Manager
The good parts and the hard parts
What people enjoy
- Strong demand since Brexit border changes
- Specialist skill with good pay progression
- Mostly regular office hours
What people find hard
- Detailed regulations change frequently
- High accuracy required with financial consequences for errors
Common questions
- Do you need a degree to become a customs declarations clerk?
- No. As well as degree routes, this career can be entered through an apprenticeship or by building experience and qualifications on the job. not_required
- How much does a customs declarations clerk earn in the UK?
- Typical advertised pay runs from £22,000 to £26,000 a year, rising towards £35,000 with experience. Figures are indicative guidance rather than an offer.
- What skills transfer into this career?
- Skills that transfer well include Administration experience, Data entry accuracy, Working to deadlines.
Related careers
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Picks, packs, loads and moves stock accurately and safely in a warehouse.
Freight Forwarder
Arranges the movement of goods internationally by sea, air, road or rail on behalf of clients.
Stock Controller
Monitors stock levels and movements to keep inventory accurate and available.
Procurement Assistant
Supports the buying of goods and services a business needs to operate.
Where this information comes from
- National Careers Service
- Institute for Apprenticeships
Last reviewed 14 September 2026.
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