Customs Specialist (m/f/d)
Manufacturing | Specialist Customs Compliance Role
Location: Office-based in Gloucestershire with hybrid working, UK
* £40,000 – £50,000 basic
* Attractive pension scheme
* Life assurance
* 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
* Hybrid working
* Laptop and mobile provided
Umbilical Limited is partnering with a UK manufacturing organisation operating across international supply chains.
We are recruiting a Customs Specialist to take ownership of UK customs authorisations and ensure full regulatory compliance while maximising financial and operational benefits. This is a specialist technical role focused on customs processes.
The role offers long-term stability, technical depth and work as part of a trade compliance team.
Key Responsibilities:
* Manage and maintain UK customs authorisations, including IP (Inward Processing), OP (Outward Processing), Customs Warehousing (CW) and UKIMS
* Ensure audit readiness and compliance with authorisation conditions
* Maintain accurate customs records and HMRC reporting
* Work closely with customs brokers to ensure accurate declarations
* Validate export data against HMRC CDS (Customs Declaration Service) records
* Ensure import and export compliance with preference origin rules and free trade agreements
* Determine tariff codes, country of origin and customs valuations
* Issue letters of instruction for imports
* Act as subject matter expert for customs-related matters
* Support internal teams with guidance and training
* Identify opportunities for process improvement and duty optimisation
* Stay current with regulatory changes and recommend actions
Requirements:
* At least two years’ experience in a customs-focused role
* Strong understanding of customs authorisations and procedures
* Manufacturing or physical goods experience beneficial
* Comfortable working with technical detail and legislation
* ERP experience, such as SAP advantageous
* Organised, accurate and confident challenging stakeholders
* Strong communication and relationship-building skills
Why Apply:
* Specialist role with clear ownership and accountability
* Opportunity to deepen expertise in customs compliance
* Stable, long-term position within a regulated environment
* Working as part of a trade compliance team
* Supportive leadership and structured onboarding
* Clear progression pathway over time
How to apply:
Please click “apply”, or for further information, please contact Ajay Bhella at Umbilical Limited. Alternatively, please email me an up-to-date copy of your CV to ajay@umbilicaladvanced.com
Umbilical Limited is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience.
We do not discriminate based on age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.